The Beginning of the End - Chapter 2

Chapter 21

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“What?!” Brooke asked, “Are you sure? You must be hallucinating.  How much sleep did you get last night?” 3

Eric couldn’t speak.  Instead, he just pointed into the office, as an open invitation for the two spectators to see for themselves.  Brooke and Mrs. Gibson’s secretary hurried across the cheaply carpeted floor and entered the principal’s large office.  The windows were closed, and her paperwork was neatly organized across the top of her cherry oak desk.  There was no sign of struggle, aside from the chair Eric was sitting in, which had been overturned in his state of shock.  Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, except for the fact that Mrs. Gibson was nowhere to be found.   4

Everything was quiet, until one second later, as the school erupted in screams of horror.  Brooke looked out the office door window to see thousands of students running through Lakeview’s halls, trampling each other as they tried to get out.  It made an African stampede look like a kiddy parade at the Children’s Carnival.  5

The secretary screamed for help as Brooke hurried to the side of Eric, who was sprawled out on the floor staring into space.  6

“Eric, you’re shaking like a leaf.” she said, holding his arms, trying to stop the tremors of terror flowing steadily through his body.  “I’m going to go call the police.” The secretary had gone off running, either to find help or save herself.  Brooke rushed behind the main desk and picked up the phone.  Sweat was pouring from her fingertips, and they kept slipping off the numbers, but she managed to dial.7

Eric sat up, watching Brooke as some of the shock died down.  Nothing seemed real, and his world was spinning, but he could manage to comprehend some of the words his friend was saying.8

“...What?  This is happening all over California?  ...All over the country?  ...All over the world?  Well good God, man, it’s the year 2020, can’t you do something better than sitting on your fat...Argh!” She hung up, incredibly aggravated.  “Eric, we need to get out of here!  I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s not good, and we need to find somewhere we’re safe,”  she rushed over to him and grabbed his hand in an attempt to pull him off the ground.  “Okay, you’re 170 pounds and I am 100 pounds, so you need to help me here!” she groaned as she pulled with all her strength.   9

It took all the power Eric could muster up, but he managed to get on his feet.  He put his left arm over Brooke’s right shoulder, using her as a crutch, and they slowly left the main office, into the steady stream of frightened high school students, pouring through Lakeview’s halls.  The main office was in the wing right before the main entrance to the school, so they didn’t have too long to walk before they got outside.  The two hobbled across the front corridor,  before finally exiting via one of five sets of double doors.   Instead of being greeted by the  California sun, they were greeted by a grey sky, with no sun visible, along with the horrible odor of smoke and burning rubber.   10

“Oh my...” Brooke whispered to herself as her eyes filled with tears.  There they stood at the entrance of Lakeview High School, watching as ambulances and police cars rushed to all the surrounding streets, horns blaring and sirens shrieking.  There were at least twenty cars visible that were completely demolished after crashing against streetlight poles or other cars.  The sights, sounds, and smells of death burned themselves in the brains of the two scared teenagers.11

“Come on!” Eric said, with a sudden burst of energy.  Adrenaline was pumping through his body like a river overflowing from a flash flood.   He grabbed Brooke and ran amidst the bedlam of frightened students, dragging her over to his bike.  They were both eighteen years old, but he couldn’t afford a car, and this was one time he was glad he couldn’t.  There was no way they could possibly get anywhere with all the accidents around.  He quickly unlocked his bike chain and tossed it on the grass.  “Sit down on the back of the seat, and put your feet on the back pegs.” He told Brooke assertively.  She complied with no objection.  Eric got on his bike and began to pedal.  His house was only three blocks away, but they’d be safe there.  Suddenly, detention didn’t seem like it would matter to his parents anymore.12