I am laying on my bed in my dorm. It wasn’t until I heard a loud explosion that my senses became alert.
My heart begins to pump violently in my chest at the noise. It is just morning. I check the date on my phone. My eyes widens with realisation.
Not just any morning, it’s a Wednesday morning, the same day that mystery lady informed me not to be at school. And not to let Hazel know too.
I swallow, coming down my bed as I try to sneak a peak of the outside environment from my room windows. It’s useless. I can’t see a thing past the yard talk less of finding what the source of that noise was. I’m the only one in my room too.
I quickly put on my night time slippers, grab my phone and open the door. Everything in my dorm seemed to be going on smoothly as usual. Everyone is doing the usual thing that goes on during this exam period daily, just carrying on with their business. Maybe I’m just letting what I heard on Monday get to me way more than it should. Maybe the explosion was all in my head. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
I should not believe anything random people just tell me or I’d go mental. I shrug, stepping back inside. I’m about to close my door when I notice multiple black vans pull up in front of our dorm. My room is not too far from the open entrance so it gives me a decent view of the happenings outside to a certain degree. Armed men with glass, see-through shields barge out of the vans and make their way inside my dorm.
Each of them bang on the doors of each room, screaming the same words loudly. “EVERYONE OUT, OUT, OUT!!”
“OUT AND INTO THE VAN, NOW!!”
My heart skips a beat at the scene. These men seem worried. But of what? What could possibly be the cause of this? I scan the protective gear each of them have on. From their badges, I can tell they are working for the school.
The sound of something weighty collapsing on the ground bursts into my ears, making me shiver with fright. What was that?! It sounded so near and horrific.
My ears suddenly become keen to the noises around me. It’s distant, but nothing in the world would make me mistake those clangour for anything else. I hear the sounds of guns being fired, multiple guns from how consistent the clatter is and it doesn’t seem to be coming to an end soon.
“LEAVE EVERYTHING YOU OWN AND GO OUTSIDE, INTO THE VANS, NOW!!” The men begin the scream louder, going from the end of the dorm to the start, covering every single door.
I run to meet one of the men there. “Excuse me sir, but what’s happening?” I ask.
He looks at me. Despite the worry that oozes out of him, his facial expression changed. A smile formed on his face. “There has been a raid. The school has authorised us to get every student who aren’t at the scene to safety before this escalates.”
I try to think but I can’t. A raid? And today of all days? This doesn’t seem like a coincidence.
“Now get in the van. You’re safer there.”
I don’t need to be told twice.
“Where’s this riot going on?” I ask, trying to maintain my composure.
“In the school premises. In one of the faculties. Look, kid, I’d really love to chat, but that’s not important, in the van, now!” His tone is serious. This sounds really dire.
I make my way forward, running, while trying to dial Hazel’s number. She’s not picking up. My heart skips. Where is she?
I’m outside. Now that I am here, I can hear the raid louder even more. I swallow, seating by the window in the van, not the best place to be but it’ll give me insight on the happenings in the environment. Worry plagues my mind as I keep keep ringing her line only to get the same electronic message over and over.
My feet are tapping the ground of the van impatiently and my hands clench around my phone, squeezing tightly while between my thighs which traps them there.
For the love of God, I hope she’s not where I think she is.
The van is getting filled up with students. Chaos is breaking out within the dorm and everyone is running out, filling the buses and vans. The moment each bus or van gets full, some of these men make their way in, shutting the doors while driving. I don’t think any of these are enough to take every student in. But I do hope more are coming.
I let out an exhale, shaking in my seat while trying to convince myself that everything will be okay. I drop my phone on my thighs, raising my hands to my face and puffing air into them. I feel uneasy. It’s hard not to in this case. My eyes dart to my phone again. I try my luck again.
Irritation and anger bubble within me at the automatic send the voicemail. Come on Hazel, where are you? And I hope you’re safe or getting to safety like I am.
Please, be safe. Please. I can’t afford to lose you. . . .
My eyes begin to water as I recall that interaction with that lady. If what she said ended up being true, then I consider myself a fool for not taking it as such. I should’ve spoken to Hazel about it. I should’ve told her not to be at the school premises today too.
I let out a sigh, agitated in my seat. Let me just hope that she’s in her apartment and not where I think she is. It would be easier to think that way. I look out the window.
A shroud feeling runs down my spine. I’ve never been this terrified in my life.