Sometimes, I wish the heavens above would strike me with the flashy lightning they do in the movies. I knew it wouldn't ever come true, but I wished for it anyway.
Stupidity brought me this far; the time has come to change!
My first year of high school has come! I haven't been to school in years, all because of… Nevermind. It's better if I focus on getting to my classroom first before I run out of time.
I held my bag tight, the bell ringing in my ears. Standing before this broken-down school seems exciting, in a way.
Students ran towards the entrance, bumping into my bag and eventually causing me to fall to the ground.
A sigh escaped my lips as I stood on my own, my eyes tired.
"I'm late."
I reached into my pocket and held out a flip phone. '7:55'... I might need to join those students in running!
I rushed to the entrance door and entered with style.
The fact that I'm late hasn't sunk in yet, and I didn't want it to. I just want to enjoy this feeling of excitement, this emotion!
But I know that I can't keep ignoring it any longer; I really need to get to my classroom.
"Where the hell is room 305!" My heart froze, the three in 305 means…
"Th-Third floor?"
The clock on the wall read 7:58…
The hanging sign on the ceiling read 'First floor.'
"I'm gonna get killed by my adviser! I don't even know where the stairs are!"
After a moment of intense thinking, my chest dropped in acceptance as I finally gave up and sighed. I pulled out my flip phone and checked the time: '7:59'. I won't be able to make it to the classroom on time.
I wandered around the school, walking and taking in the surroundings. Turning my head at every corner, lockers filled one hallway, doors filled the other. Dirt and roaches filled the place, and insects crawled on every inch of the wall.
My brows raised at every new sight, now unfolding.
The ragged down lockers, broken doorknobs, and holes filled the doors. Trash littered across the first floor. I walked and explored, finally finding the staircase. As I went up the stairs, I observed that the steps were still as dirty as the first floor. Arriving at the second floor, it became even dirtier, although nothing more than that.
As I arrived on the third floor and found my classroom, I came across an oddly… Or should I say creepy room to my right. Something about that room didn't feel right; it was as if… Something was telling me not to go near.
But at the same time, something about it is drawing me closer to it. Like how a lustful person gets drawn to their desires.
"Music room? Just by looking at it, I think I want to start learning to play guitar."
A smile formed on my lips, scoffing at the thought of playing the guitar.
Before I knew it, room 305 was right after the music room. As I walked towards it, the room stood before me. I took a deep breath before opening the door; my adviser was already welcoming my classmates and discussing. They all turned to look at me, but I ignored them and bowed to my adviser, going to an empty seat. My bag is on the ground, and I sat there casually. They continued without batting an eye.
I want to enjoy this day further, but running really took my energy… I just want to lie down and sleep!
The day passed by slowly. My adviser and my classmates talked casually; he was having fun telling us stories about the school. Then, he told a story that caught my attention by a mile.
"Yes… Our janitor saw a ghost in the hallway on the second floor, in the Music room. It was humming, singing even. We never knew what he was singing, even now."
My classmates hummed in awe as our adviser did a storytime for us. He went on about the details.
"Our janitor said that while he was cleaning the floor, he heard a faint sound of crying. He stopped cleaning and listened to the faint sounds when it stopped, then resumed again. The ground shook as the humming became louder, our janitor checking where the sound was coming from."
Our adviser slammed the table repeatedly, then "Badump, badump. Our janitor's heart beat went fast as the humming grew louder as he approached the Music/instruments room. Then…"
He repeatedly tapped the table in a drumroll.
"Bam! A chair moved, and he bolted out of the school in an instant! He said that if it happened again, he'd quit on the spot."
A chuckle escaped his lips while his students looked mortified.
"... Why's everyone so scared?"
Our adviser asked, laughing.
"Sir! You can't just tell a scary story and then laugh after, our hearts can take that much!"
"Whaaaaat? But I have more in my sleeve!"
His lips curled, reaching both of his eyes.
"Please no, sir! We can't take any more scary stories!"
Some students protested, some students didn't. But everyone went quiet when he raised his hands.
"I will tell the story…"
The students chanted, 'Next time!' and 'Now!' altogether. But our adviser stayed quiet, waiting for the chanting to die down.
…
"I will tell the story…Next time!"
A laugh escaped his mouth as his students caused an uproar, desks shaking and ears ringing. Bam! The door slammed open, and the principal greeted us with a frown.
"Good morning, students. I know that it's a great morning and all… But please, can you guys keep it down?! Other classrooms are having classes, keep in mind that there are other people in here!"
He fixed his tie and cleared his throat.
"That would be all. And Mr. Albez, please keep your students in check. I will be going now."
He gently closed the door as Mr. Albez nodded.
He faced his students with a smile and brushed the situation off.
"So, for our new students, how is your first day of school so far?"
The room fell silent; none of the new students spoke up, including me…
"Okay then, new students, kindly stand up for your classmates to see your beautiful and handsome faces! And don't be shy now, we are all family in this classroom. Although I don't think anybody will care if one of you likes one another…"
A giggle came from our adviser. Then, slowly, the new students stood up. Reluctantly, I went along with them.
"Introduce yourselves now, starting with…"
He pointed his hands randomly, covering his eyes as he did so. He came to a stop as his finger pointed at me. I frowned and sighed.
"You! Now, start. We are all ears!"
Silence filled the room, waiting for me to finally speak up.
"... I'm Aether Winters. 15, and I want to be friends with you all, thank you."
I eagerly sat. A black-haired guy then came next. He stood up and introduced himself with a smile.
"I'm Edward Rowan, 16, and nice to meet you all. I hope we have a great year together! I came from a far land, I came here just to see this school!"
His face wrinkled upwards, and a forced smile masked his face. An ugly, yet relieving smile. I began to feel uncomfortable just by looking at his smile; something about it was off. Why is this day so frickin weird!
"And just a fun fact, I can see supernatural things!"
My brow furrowed. What did he just say?
"Y'know, those things kids are scared of! Ghosts, if I recall?"
His lips almost reached his eyes as he dropped a bomb. Everyone's mouth was agape, and they asked him questions; even the teacher was intrigued. But… My eyes started to droop, my head began to feel heavy.
My mind wandered off somewhere, and Edward turned to look at me and mouthed something with a smile.
A charismatic hum started playing in my ear, drifting me farther away, and I eventually fell asleep.
* * *
Ugh… My head feels heavy. What time is it…?
I opened my eyes, and the room dimmed. My head turned at the window; the moon was glowing unusually brighter. But I didn't mind. Instead, I checked my flip phone.
'6:58.'
Messages flowed from top to bottom and missed calls from 'm' and 'd.' My breathing became heavier as I saw the names. M and d? No… I overslept!
Cold sweat ran down my cheeks as my hands shook. Looking at my flip phone, my eyes darted everywhere.
I stood up from my seat and shoved my things into my bag. 'I have to go… I have to go!' I zipped up my bag and secured it tightly.
I tightened my grip on my flip phone as I lunged out of my seat. I slid the door open, hard, as I ran down the hallway.
"Hm… Hm…"
A shiver. My hair stood up, from head to toe. I stopped; humming filled the third floor. It was faint, but could be heard when listening very closely. My ears began to feel pressure; something was telling me I should go home, to flee from this place. Was it my instincts? Or is it…
The person behind me?
I closed my fists, the humming growing louder and louder. 'Huff… Huff..' My legs shook, begging me to move. I tried to steady my breathing, but instead, I stopped breathing altogether.
I turned to my left; a room and a hanging sign.
'Music room.'
Thump. Thump, thump.
My heart began beating. Furiously and…
Tap.
…
My skin crawled; it was as if something was caressing the back of my neck. It was cold.
Silence drowned the room. I can't hear anything but my heartbeat. My throat began to dry, and my face started to become pale.
Humming began to play in my ear, and I closed my eyes and covered my ears as the ringing began to get louder.
"Hm… Hm…! Hm…"
I opened my eyes, and without hesitation, I ran. Skipping the steps of the stairs, jumping through, and overcoming each of the obstacles in the way. The humming grew larger, like it was close to my ear; like how my eagerness to flee did. I slammed the walls at every corner, thinking it would boost me faster, even by a small margin.
My movements became clumsy, and I tripped, but I didn't care. I didn't look back, but crawled towards the exit. Lockers started slamming shut, opening and closing. The lights flickered on and off; even the signs looked distorted.
As I was about to reach for the door, the door suddenly locked by itself. My mouth agape, trying several times to open the door.
"Crap, I'm dead meat!"
I swam to a nearby corner, my hands and knees getting dirty. I scanned my surroundings, and everything was distorted and moving on its own. The humming grew larger, and my face became paler.
I held up my hands and covered my ears, cold sweat dripping down my cheeks as I closed my eyes.
Cold and aggressive wind blew at me, my hair stood up, sending shivers down my spine.
I could still hear the lockers slamming shut, until they didn't. Slowly, I opened my eyes. The lockers were back to normal, the signs too.
"Yeah, no, I'm not letting this chance slip by!"
I crawled to the door and immediately went out. I stood out and ran like a girl, running like a pit bull named 'princess' was chasing after me.
After what happened today, I have to go back tomorrow? I don't want to go back here again! I'd rather go back home than go here anymore!
"Ugh!"
I fell to my knees, raising my hand to hold my head, as if it was breaking apart. My face wrinkled, brows furrowing.
"It… It hurts!"
Gah! My head… It's like it's about to be split open in half!
The ground twisted as I grew to breathe heavier. Cold sweat dripped from head to toe, and my stomach felt uneasy.
***
The cold wind brushed my skin; the walk home felt eerie. I bobbed my head down, looking at the depressing pavement; came the carpet of my home. Looking up, the door was right in front of me.
I raised my hand to open the door, but… Should I? I shook my head and brushed it off. I turned the doorknob quietly, the door slightly creaking as I went inside.
Mumbled words came from the living room, shouting even. Tv… They're watching TV. I slowly closed the door behind me. I turned the doorknob to close it, my footsteps now gentle. Laughing emerged from the living room, a happy laugh. It's about time for the news to come; maybe they will watch it.
I stopped and hid behind a wall. Sitting down on the ground quietly. "Beep! Beep!" A siren went off, and my ears rang. "This is not a drill, we repeat, this is not a drill."
…Huh?
"We repeat, this is not a drill. "
I swallowed, my throat dry.
"We just received an announcement from the government officials."
… Government officials?
My hand gripped the floor.
"All citizens must stay indoors. If outside, seek shelter immediately. We advise everyone to stay with more than one person."
A pause. The type to make your stomach drop.
The voice coming from the TV seemed to be calm, almost like a facade.
"... Unknown causes of incidents are reported worldwide. Survivors say that their group disappeared one by one."
The voice stuttered.
"Survivors added that they took a nap in the afternoon and woke up in the evening. They described that a relaxing 'humming' was heard before they fell asleep. They stated, shivering in fear."
My eyes widened.
"The authorities have classified these incidents as a threat. Worse, a supernatural threat. Due to it's description, hence it was given the supernatural title. "
Another pause.
My ears felt pressure. Ringing even, my stomach dropped.
A beat.
"They have now been given a name."
My knuckles went white.
"The Calamities."