Cast
Prologue: Darkness
Invisible Wall
Crumbling
Rain Inside Our Hearts
The Haunting Past
Home Base
When The Clock Strikes 3
Bad Day
Jack & April Chapter 8 Illustration
The Following Morning
Maps, Beacons and Plans
Luck
One Down
Bonds
False Hope
Unprepared
Loss
His Circumstances
Her Circumstances
The Dream
The Book
Aftermath
Forward
Memories
Emotions
Basement
Requiem
Betrayal
Sacrifice
Epilogue: Here's To The Future
Unprepared
Having re-arranged my thoughts I break the silence hanging over our heads. “Okay… So summing it all up. We are the 3rd batch of students being trapped here in 20 years’ time, due to the curse of the departed Emily Thorne…” As I finish the sentence, that particular name almost catches on my throat. (Yeah, she most definitely is the cause of all this…) I think as all the others nod. “Our goal remains unchanged… Find the keys and get the hell out of here. Now that we know what’s causing this, we have a bigger chance of surviving, so let’s get this show on the road.” I announce, trying to lighten up the group as we march on towards the rest.

After informing the rest of the group of our findings and answering all kinds of questions for them, we are ready to continue following Nora. “I’m sorry for earlier, April. I didn’t think you’d find something so important.” Max apologizes, slightly bowing her head. “Hey it’s okay. It could have been a waste of time if we didn’t find anything so I get your point.” April kindly smiles at Max, accepting her apology. “So we cool?” Max asks once again while April replies with a “We’re cool” and one of her dazzling smiles. “I can’t believe you found out so much… You might be able to get out of here after all…” Nora says in a low voice, as the others chatter around. “Come to think of it… Who told you about the time limit and the keys when you were trapped here?” I ask her, almost instinctively. “A Girl. There was a girl wearing our school’s uniform that informed us. I don’t remember anything else.” She answers vaguely. “Was she uhm… a ghost as well?” I cautiously ask. (Jack you idiot! You don’t call a ghost ghost!) While I’m mentally beating myself up the spirit answers. “Yes she was.” She briefly replies. “Are you ready?” Nora inquires, and we all nod, as the spirit takes the lead once again and glides past some bookshelves. “This whole curse thing… It’s like we’re in Corpse Party!” My hearing senses are suddenly heightened, as my geeky side takes over and I turn around. There, right behind me, I find Chris. “You’ve played Corpse Party?!” I energetically ask, as Chris raises his head. “Of course man, it’s a must play!” He quickly replies with the same enthusiasm as me and before we know it, we’re walking side-by-side. “Hah! Finally someone with taste!” I exclaim and a geeky game conversation ensues. “So have you played Elder Scrolls?” Chris asks, and I immediately nod. “Of course! I’m already level 58 and I’ve cleared all the main quests! Actually the reason I was sleepy in class yesterday was because I almost played all night…” I explain scratching the back of my head. “Really?? I’m level 50 and I was just getting into the DLC content! Maybe we can play online together, when all this is resolved of course…” He proposes and I smirk in response. “You betcha!” I enthusiastically reply. “So what’s your gamer tag?” Chris throws a bombshell and I cringe. “Well about that… I had this Steam account since edgy middle-school years so it’s something like JackTheRipper09 or something…” I reply and I immediately feel the cringe on my skin. “Haha that’s catchy! Don’t worry about it, mine’s pretty edgy too! DarkChris77!” Chris replies with the same expression and we both laugh. (Did I just socialize like normal just now? Being a gamer has its benefits I guess…) “Say, are you playing that new game coming out on Monday?” He asks and I immediately shift gears once again. “Oh you mean Bandai’s new release? I think it was called Code something?” I tap my chin trying to recall. “Yeah, Code Blood. I’ve already pre-ordered and I can’t wait to play it…” He explains and his eyes light up like a little kid’s. “Oh yeah I was planning on buying that one on the day of its’ release.” I casually reply as I recall. “Will we live to see the day of its’ release though?” Suddenly a gloomy expression replaces his childlike innocence and I look down at my feet in response. “We will Christopher. I know we will.” I try to remain confident, as I realize the possibility of us not making it is actually true. “Just call me Chris, man. But I hope you’re right.” He replies and we both smile in unison. “So is the nerdy talk over?” Max smirks and we both turn around to everyone staring at us. “Did you happen to hear the whole thing?” I sigh after realizing there’s no point in even asking. “Yep! And you were so cute and excited!” Max teases me, pinching my cheek. “Ow! That hurts!” I say as the spirit in front of us cuts this moment of ours short. “We’re here.” She says, gliding through the closed door. (We’re already here?) I think as almost instinctively, the whole group looks at Anette who steps forward. She pauses for a moment and then speaks “I sense danger… but it’s not imminent. I believe it’s safe to enter the classroom and see if we can get the key.” She explains, while everyone nods in response. After checking back with us, Anette opens the door and we all step inside. “Isn’t this the biology classroom?” Chloe inquires, as we all notice the same thing. “It’s… normal?” April voices in a confused tone. And she is right. Unlike a lot of the other classrooms we’ve seen, this one looks perfectly normal. The lab tables are set up like always, the anatomical model of the human body stands in the corner, while numerous scientific charts cover the walls. “I believe there is a key in here.” The spirit hovering across from us states. “But where is it?” Max inquires. “I do not know that specifically. I only know that it is here.” Nora replies, leaving the search up to us. “Great. What do we do now?” I ask not looking amused, as we’re all huddled together in one corner of the room. “Be careful. The sense of danger is gradually growing. But I still can’t pinpoint its location.” Anette warns us and we all stay on high alert. “What’s it gonna be this time? More crumbling floors? More spikes?” Chloe asks nervously, her voice trembling. “I don’t know … it’s like something… is stirring… or approaching us…” Anette replies slowly and vaguely, bringing a hand to her head. “Let’s split up and search then before the danger has time to manifest!” Max suggests, as we’re still huddled together at the far corner of the room. “No if we split up then-“ I try to protest as Anette cuts my sentence short. “It’s here!” She shouts loudly as we frantically look around the room. Suddenly, a soft rustling sound makes me freeze. I slowly turn towards the source and what I see makes my heart skip a beat. In the corner of the room, across from us, the anatomical model starts to move. Like a robotic monster in an old science fiction film, it takes one jerky step forward, then another. ”Everybody run!” Anette shouts once again and her cry jolts me out of my paralysis. Not a second later, we’re all running for the classroom door. “NO! Get off of me!” I hear Chloe’s desperate voice and I immediately whirl around. The model is clutching her arm with one hand. As she struggles to free herself, it clamps its other arm around her neck. “Please, Jack! Help me!” Chloe cries out for help as she resists, tears on the edge of her eyes. “Chloe!” I call out to her and run forward to help. But even as I take my first step, the living anatomical model tightens its grip on Chloe. Then with one quick and horrible motion, it snaps her neck and lets her lifeless body hit the ground. All I can do, is stare in horror at my classmate’s limp body, as I hear the rustling sound of bones get closer. (Can we survive or will this school claim us all?)

© Nikos PD,
книга «66 Hours (Completed)».
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