Chapter 5: Spooky Feelings Aren't A Good Feeling At All

{Rhea’s POV}

Although the canteen lunch was shitty and the cafeteria was an absolute chaos, Eli and I managed to obtain better place at the corner of the cafeteria. This place reeks of faint bad breaths and disgusting smells of food all over but I see no other option than sitting here. Yes, it could have been my favorite spot, but I couldn’t snatch the priviledge of Eli meeting his friends. 

Currently, I’m frowning at Eli as he cackles at something his garrulous friend, Carter tattles about. My phone was out of battery by the time I collected it from Mrs. Leona and I had nothing with me except my untounched lunch. 

“ – pushing her off. I had to stop my mother barging through the door since that girl won’t leave my bed.” Cater speaks, laughing with amusement. Eli snorts, while I look at my bitten nail fingers. Okay, they look so uneven. Eh, who cares! 

Finally, having enough with their chitchats, I rose up from the chair and wince as a sting goes down my back from sitting for too long.

“I’m heading off.” I inform Eli as he turns to me, raising his eyebrows.

He darts his eyes between his friends and I, then sighs. 

“I’m coming with you too.” And I stop on my tracks, making him halt his movements. I scrunch my eyes in confusion, wondering where would he go with me. I guess he noticed since he smiles cheekily. “Oh, I’m bored too. It takes a hella effort to laugh with absurdness all the time.” 

I glance at Carter to see whether he heard but he was busy pushing Owen, another of Eli’s friends playfully. Kids.

“Trust me, I know.” I sigh. “How do you even sit with these people without wanting to bury yourself into a ditch?”

“They are not bad, R. Carter just thinks he’s too funny and none of us are willing to break his delicate heart.” He explains, grinning, and I chuckle.

“Sure” I chirped.

Marina Jewel, a girl from my Art class came sprinting through the cafeteria doors, panting and wheezing, trying hard to breathe some oxygen into her lungs, “Th-the-y a-re here!” she proclaimed in terror. 

“Blacks are here!” she then screamed. 

Then, suddenly, the hallway rang with desperate screams of terror as the students hustled through forcefully, pushing whoever gets in their way from escaping. Eli and I freeze in our spot and look wide eyedely to each other. What’s going on?

The cafeteria was in a major mess within seconds as all of them kept running for their lives as if their asses were on fire. Shrill screams followed by haunted yells surrounded the entire school and then I realized Eli was no more in front of me. 

My chest squeezed in fear as I began to push forwards, my eyes roaming everywhere for his blue cardigan. But, there was no trace, The fear squeezed up to my throat as I felt my breath slowing down. Where is he?! Who is everyone running from? Even though these questions burned into my mind, I still can’t grasp any answer. 

Coughing and spluttering, I hit my chest a few times before bringing  my breath to normal. It kept getting crowded and as far as I can see, everyone seems to be gathering inside the cafeteria instead of running outside. Finally, a loud gunshot echoed noisily throughout the entire building and several other followed. My fists kept itching in anxiety. 

“God! R! There you are!” I hear Eli behind and I jump up to him in a glance. “I thought I lost you.” His voice carries a tone of worry and a hint of fear.

“I thought I lost you!” I exclaim, though it was pretty much difficult to hear through the crowd.

And the final gun shot sounded right in the middle of the cafeteria. I jump up in surprise while Eli backs me up.  He motions me with his finger on his lips, desperately warning me not to make a sound.

“SHUT THE HELL UP!” boomed an angry, manly voice, echoing around. 

Within seconds, the cafeteria went dead silent. You could cut through the deafening silence with a dull knife. Eli crouches down a bit beside me, tightening his hold on my hand and even though my hand hurt, I made no sound. 

I peeked though the crowd to find three, brooding figures, wearing dark, cramped up clothes, with their guns in their holsters except the one in front and he appeared out to be like some kind of leader, with a leather jacket. Their faces were disguised with black ski masks and hands were covered in black gloves. 

“You!”  the leader in front ordered Callista Brewer, who was shaking violently than a leaf. Her head snapped up real quick and I guess I was surprised her neck didn’t snap along. It’s really amusing to see the Queen Bee of the school terrified and left at mercy. 

“Go fetch your Principal.” His dark voice commanded. I don’t know why but I felt impatient, waiting for them to reveal themselves. 

Callista ran from the cafeteria like a sonic, making me giggle silently. Eli shot me a warning look and I roll my eyes. 

The seemed – leader looked around, probably wondering why he has so many scared-to-death fans waiting for his move. My ribs called out in pain for standing for long but I had no choice in this matter. 

The footsteps sounded closer and finally, entered Professor Indiago. His hands pushed up his large frames further into his eyes while his button nose twitched in frustration like it always does when it comes to me. 

He stiffened once his eyes fell on the three goons. His posture became too rigid.

Who exactly are these people? I nudge Eli and point them to him, with a question in my eyes.

“Not now, R” He whispers, "Later, alright?"
I nod.

“Let’s take this into my office, shall we?” Professor Indiago clears his throat. “There’s no need to create a scene here.” 

The guy let out an amusing chuckle that sounded hollow and intimidating. I let out a shiver at the mere sound. He stepped forward in a warning as Professor cowered back.  

“Eager to disguise your shit?” the third guy mocked. 

Professor Indiago looked uneasy and I’m sure all the students, including me, are wondering what happened between them.  He looked up to the leader guy. 

“I don’t have it now.” He answers quizzically. "Mario stole then from me on the way. I'll send them by next week."  

The leather-jacket guy showed no response, no movement. He stood still, calculating the pros and cons, I suppose?

"Perhaps, it would require a reminder to know how I work, don't you think?" He smirked, speaking spookily, in a calm manner.

He exchanged glances with the second guy who shrugged carelessly. He seems cool. Don’t ask me why. 

Then, out of the blue, leather-jacket swinged a heavy punch to the Professor that had several students gasp in surprise. Professor Indiago fell harshly to the ground and a rush of blood raised up to his mouth. Ew….

I had to turn away from the scene. I may be a bit heartless but I have no interest in watching a guy beat up even if he was wrong. It kills me inside. Trust me, the punch didn’t stop there. I could hear other painful groans and pleading, also the heavy breathing of the guy, I guess since the cafeteria was pin – drop silence earlier. 

Eli pulls me closer to him and I turn and hide my face into his chest, squeezing my ears shut with my finger. None could have prepared me for this moment. Although my ears were shut, I heard the vague gun shot and terrified squeals of other students. My eyes teared up. Three other shots followed until it was silence all over again. I have experienced another death now.  

“Shh, I’m here.” Eli whispered into my ears, trying to calm me down but it was absolute futile attempt. 

I remove my hands from my ears and turn around, making the worst mistake ever.

"Let this be an example for you. What I want, you get that for me, when I say bow, you do it without question and you never ever ask me any questions. Am I clear?" He spoke in a loud, threatening tone, sending shivers through my body.

Entire crowd yelled fearfully in agreement and backed away, allowing them to walk off.

My puke threatened at my throat and I sprinted off from the cafeteria to the girl’s washroom. I could hear their scared yells and screams echoing all around.

I puke out entirely and rinse my mouth, wiping off my eyes. God, that’s awful!

“Rhea!” Eli screamed from outside of the door and I sighed. 

“I’m okay!” I yell back. But, I’m sure I will never be okay. Today’s scenario brought back a lot of agonizing memories and I can’t remove the thoughts. 
                ********************

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