Chapter 3
Note: This story is told primarily from Thomas's point of view. However, at certain key moments the perspective may shift to give the reader a broader view of events.
"It's been two days already," I thought weakly as I took a look at the city, now reduced to ruins — cars no longer roadworthy, skyscrapers reduced to rubble, and the once beautiful streets decorated with trees now destroyed with debris and the blood of those who had fallen victim to the zombies. And if you think the state of the city was bad, think again, for things inside were even worse — the hallways of the school filled with zombies, power outage, fatigue among my classmates and a critical shortage of supplies.
Looking at their stressed faces, I couldn't help but sigh. As I went to my seat to think of a way out of this mess, Mary came by my side with a bottle of water in her hand and said, "Here you go Thomas. Ever since this disaster started you haven't drunk a single bottle of water, so here."
In that moment I was at a loss for words, because no matter how long I tried to think about it, there was no way anyone would have been able to notice something like that. But I still took it and thanked her.
As I drank the water, Mary stayed by my side looking concerned, and that was when I noticed Richmond — the class's fastest runner — shoot me a glare as he watched the both of us.
"Umm, guys," Christian said, breaking the suffocating silence. "I think we might have to start thinking about how to replenish our food stock."
"So what, you expect us to go out there and get eaten by the dead? I don't know about you buddy, but I prefer starving over that," Ohene shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Hey, you idiot, do you want to get us killed?" Richmond said angrily but in a tone much lower than Ohene's.
"Who are you calling an idiot, you punk?" Ohene retorted.
"Oh, you've got some nerve, huh?" Richmond said, walking closer to Ohene who was slightly taller than him.
"Oh jeez, boys and their senseless arguments," Christabel muttered with irritation, though her tone made it clear she was at her limit too.
"Oh shut up, woman — no one invited you into this," Ohene shouted back at her.
"Just shut up, all of you. Don't you know your noise is going to attract more zombies?" Kingsley said in a tone barely above a whisper, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
Before things went completely out of control, I decided to bring them back to their senses and give them a little push — since they clearly had no idea what to do.
As if sensing what I was about to do, Mary turned to me with a worried look and said quietly, "Thomas, please be careful." Richmond, who overheard this, clenched his jaw and looked away.
NORMAL POV
As the atmosphere in the class grew more and more intense, Thomas got up from his seat with a calm expression and said in a low but audible tone, "Listen. We have only one way out of this mess."
The class immediately went silent as everybody turned their attention to him, shocked — they had heard him speak once in a blue moon.
Seeing that he had their full attention, he continued. "Rather than staying here, we have got to fight our way out and get our supplies."
"Oh great, you're one of the crazy ones too," Lucy said with a disappointed look on her face.
"Give it up guys — he wants us to willingly walk to our deaths like we're some kind of cowboys," Richmond said teasingly, clearly wanting Thomas to lose face in front of Mary.
Just as the others were about to bad mouth Thomas, Christian — though visibly weak — spoke up. "Yes, I believe what Thomas is saying is correct, we—"
"Since you guys are so insistent on going out to fight, why don't you go ahead yourselves," Richmond interrupted.
"Yeah, that's right," some echoed, supporting him.
"It's not like I'm asking," Thomas said, walking towards the door.
"Hey, look — he's really going," a student said, shocked.
"Idiot," another added mockingly, as Thomas reached for the door handle. But before he could grab it, his left wrist was held tight by Isaac.
"What is it now?" Thomas asked, irritated.
"I cannot allow you to endanger yourself. But the way you're acting, I presume you already have a plan in mind. Can you share it?" Isaac said, his expression showing just how concerned he was.
Thomas, after muttering the words, "That's why you're the class rep," said, "My plan is to head to the fire department right next to the school and find materials that can help us better survive this apocalypse."
Before Isaac could give his opinion, Christian rushed over with an empty school bag and said, "I'll come with you."
"Me too — I can't let you do something so dangerous alone," Kingsley said, moving towards him.
"I love the way you're vibing, bro. Take me with you," Charles said, snapping his fingers.
After two more boys — Felix and Selom — joined, the six man team with Thomas leading set off for the fire station.