《Echoes of the Dying World: i Got a Hoarder Talent》 Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End The classroom of 1A was an ordinary place on an ordinary day. The second floor of the building, filled with the buzz of a dozen conversations and the sound of typing keyboards, felt like the kind of place where nothing extraordinary ever happened. Not until now. Ash sat in the middle of the classroom, his gaze flickering over the pages of a textbook, though his mind wasn¡¯t entirely on the material. The chatter of his classmates filled the air, punctuated by the occasional click of a phone screen. He glanced over at Ben, who was hunched over, engrossed in a mobile game, his thumbs moving frantically over the screen. ¡°Hey, Ben, that game any good?¡± Ash asked, trying to sound interested as he leaned back in his chair. Ben didn¡¯t look up. ¡°Not really. Just some stupid grind. I¡¯m bored out of my mind,¡± he muttered, then smirked. ¡°I¡¯d rather be out there right now. This place is so... dead.¡± West, sitting a few desks away, grinned without lifting his eyes from his phone. ¡°Dead? What are you talking about? You mean to tell me you¡¯d rather be dealing with exams than this? Come on, Ben. You¡¯d be miserable. Like Tony here.¡± Tony, who was at the back of the classroom, gave a half-hearted glare but didn¡¯t engage. His earbuds were in, and he was bobbing his head to some unknown beat. ¡°I¡¯m just chilling,¡± Tony muttered, not looking at anyone. ¡°You guys can talk about whatever. I¡¯m happy here.¡± Across the room, Daniel had his nose buried in a textbook, seemingly the only one who was attempting to study. Ash couldn¡¯t help but respect that. As the room filled with noise and distractions, Daniel¡¯s focus was unwavering. ¡°Honestly, this is too much,¡± Ash said, glancing at the clock. ¡°Only half an hour left, and I can''t focus at all. Maybe I¡¯ll go for a walk after this.¡± ¡°No way,¡± West replied, rolling his eyes. ¡°You walk, and you¡¯re asking for the teacher to find you outside, looking like a total idiot.¡± Ash smirked. ¡°Yeah, well, it¡¯d be a nice change from this place.¡± But before the conversation could continue, a blood-curdling scream shattered the relative calm of the classroom. The kind of scream that sent a chill down your spine. It came from the ground floor. The class fell into stunned silence. Even Tony pulled his earbuds out, his face suddenly serious. Everyone turned toward the window, trying to peer through the blinds, but it was hard to see anything. The scream had echoed through the entire building, followed by a few seconds of tense silence that seemed to stretch into eternity. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Ben muttered under his breath. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Ash¡¯s voice trailed off as he stood, his heart racing. His mind was already processing the possibility of danger, though he hadn¡¯t yet allowed himself to believe it. ¡°It¡¯s coming from downstairs,¡± West said, eyes wide. ¡°What the hell¡¯s going on?¡± Without another word, a few of the braver students rushed toward the door. Ash stood frozen for a moment, but curiosity¡ªand a surge of adrenaline¡ªpushed him forward. He wasn¡¯t about to stay in the classroom, pretending nothing was happening. The class spilled out into the hallway, and as they approached the stairs, a second scream tore through the air. But this one was different. It was a scream filled with terror, as if someone¡¯s life was being ripped away in an instant. ¡°Run!¡± someone shouted from the front. The students on the second floor didn¡¯t need to be told twice. They rushed to the edge of the stairs and looked down. What they saw made their blood run cold. Monsters. Two-meter-tall creatures with gnarled limbs, sharp claws, and glowing red eyes were chasing after students in the hallway below. Their massive forms were inhuman, their skin covered in jagged scales that shimmered with an unsettling light. As the students bolted, the monsters howled in pursuit, their movements swift and brutal. Ash''s heart skipped a beat as he stared down at the nightmare unfolding before him. Panic began to rise, but he suppressed it. There was no room for hysteria. Not now. He turned to the others, his voice low and calm. ¡°We need to get back to the classroom. Now.¡± The students scrambled, making their way back up the stairs and into the classroom, slamming the door shut behind them. Ash could hear the heavy footsteps of some of his classmates as they gasped for breath, their nerves on edge. Some were crying, others were shouting in fear, but Ash only allowed himself a single glance out the window before he closed the blinds. Inside the classroom, panic took root. People were starting to argue, their voices rising. ¡°We need to get out of here!¡± Ben yelled, clutching the back of his chair. ¡°We can¡¯t stay here! They¡¯ll come for us next!¡± ¡°No, we stay put!¡± Daniel interjected. ¡°We don¡¯t know anything about those monsters. They could be hunting us or¡ª¡± ¡°Who cares? We have to run!¡± Tony shot back, his voice cracking. ¡°We¡¯re sitting ducks!¡± The chaos intensified as others began to join in, each voice a different opinion, none of them rational. Ash remained silent, his gaze steady as he surveyed the room. He was just as scared as the rest of them, but he wouldn¡¯t let fear control him. Panic would do nothing. It was a reality he had to accept. Running without a plan was just as likely to get them killed as staying where they were. ¡°Ash, what do you think?¡± Ben¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts. Ash blinked and looked at him. ¡°There¡¯s no point in panicking. We need to be smart.¡± Before anyone could speak, the class representative, a calm-headed girl named Mia, stepped forward. She was holding a trembling hand against her mouth, but she forced herself to speak clearly. ¡°Listen, everyone. We need to stay quiet. The monsters might be able to hear us if we don¡¯t. It¡¯s better to stay here for now and wait for help.¡± ¡°Help?¡± West scoffed. ¡°You think the government¡¯s gonna show up and save us in time? Look at what¡¯s happening!¡± Mia held up a hand to silence him. ¡°No one knows what¡¯s going on. All we can do is stay here and keep our heads down. Screaming won¡¯t do us any good. Trust me, we need to stay quiet.¡± Ash watched Mia, her composure a sharp contrast to the chaos around her. Maybe she had a point, but part of him couldn¡¯t help but think she was just grasping at straws, just like everyone else. The outside world had already fallen apart, and the monsters weren¡¯t something that would just disappear. Gradually, the sounds of screams outside started to quiet. The chaos ebbed, but it didn¡¯t alleviate the fear in the room. The heavy silence pressed down on them like a weight. Ash kept his eyes trained on the door, his mind racing. He needed information. The monsters weren¡¯t the only unknown in this situation¡ªthere was no telling who or what else might be lurking. He pulled out his phone and quickly checked the news. The headlines were as absurd as they were terrifying. Reports of similar monsters attacking various cities. People were posting frantic pleas for help. Chaos had erupted across the country, and the world seemed to be descending into madness. No one knew what was happening. But one thing was clear¡ªthis wasn¡¯t a local event. It was global. And no one was safe. His heart sank as he tried calling his family, but the line was dead. ¡°Anyone get through to anyone?¡± Ash asked, his voice calm but tense. Mia nodded, pulling out her phone. ¡°I¡¯m trying to contact my parents.¡± Ash sighed, then turned to his closest friends. ¡°I need you all to check for news. We need to know what¡¯s happening everywhere, not just here.¡± Ben, West, Tony, and Daniel nodded. The urgency in Ash¡¯s tone was enough to quiet their bickering, if only for a moment. As they began tapping away at their phones, Ash felt the weight of the situation settle on his shoulders. The monsters were just the beginning. They had no idea what they were really up against. Chapter 2: A Fractured Silence Chapter 2: A Fractured Silence The classroom grew eerily silent as the last of the screams from the outside faded into the distance. The high-pitched wails that had once filled the air with terror now seemed like a haunting echo, lingering in the oppressive stillness. The only sound that remained was the subtle creak of the building settling, as if even the structure itself was holding its breath. Ash stood by the window, his hands resting on the cool metal sill as he peered out into the chaos. The dim light of the afternoon cast long shadows over the street below, and for a brief moment, the scene seemed almost surreal, like a macabre painting in a gallery. Out there, the monsters roamed freely. Towering figures, their forms both grotesque and strangely human-like. Their hulking physiques were muscled and misshapen, their skin a sickly hue that caught the dying sunlight in an unsettling way. Ash¡¯s eyes traced their every movement with a detached calm, almost as if he were studying an animal at the zoo. The monsters weren¡¯t all the same. Some seemed more savage, their eyes redder, their claws extended like weapons. Others were slower, seemingly confused, as though they were lost in the wreckage of this broken world. "Ash," Ben¡¯s voice cut through the silence, and Ash turned slightly to see him still fiddling with a broken chair, his face taut with frustration. "Are you seeing this?" Ash nodded slowly, his gaze returning to the scene outside. ¡°They¡¯re not smart,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°It¡¯s like they¡¯re driven by instinct alone. Some are eating, others are just¡­ searching. They¡¯re not hunting with any strategy.¡± He could see it now. Some of the creatures crouched on the ground, tearing at the remains of what used to be students, their gnashing jaws consuming everything in their path. Others wandered aimlessly, sniffing the air with unnatural intensity, their red eyes flicking in every direction. There was no organization, no coordination between them. It was as if their monstrous bodies had been unleashed, but their minds were too primitive to understand what to do next. A shiver ran down Ash¡¯s spine as he tore his gaze away. "We¡¯re safe for now," he said quietly. "But we can¡¯t stay here forever. We need to figure something out." His words hung in the air like an unspoken truth. The class was no longer frantic, but the tension remained. It was as if they were all waiting for the other shoe to drop. Ben, pacing back and forth, finally stopped and looked at the others. His voice, though tinged with fear, was filled with an undeniable sense of urgency. "Waiting here won¡¯t help us," he said, the desperation in his tone cutting through the quiet. "We need to fight back. Or at least have some way to defend ourselves." The idea seemed to settle over the class, like a cloud of inevitability. The weight of what they faced hung heavily on their shoulders, and now the reality of it seemed undeniable. Ash¡¯s eyes flickered to the others. They were all scared, but it was the fear of not acting that drove them forward. ¡°Ben¡¯s right" West said, his voice low but firm. His eyes, usually so carefree, were sharp now, darting between the group. ¡°We can¡¯t just sit here and wait for those things to come through the door. We need something. Anything.¡± Tony, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly spoke up, his voice rough as if it hadn¡¯t been used in hours. ¡°What can we use? Look around, this room is just desks and chairs.¡± He paused, a strained chuckle escaping his lips. ¡°Not exactly the best place to craft a weapon, huh?¡± There was a beat of silence before Daniel, who had been staring at the window since the chaos began, broke in with a quiet but determined voice. "We don¡¯t need a weapon that¡¯s perfect. We just need something to defend ourselves if it comes down to it." Ash felt the weight of their eyes turn to him. Ben¡¯s gaze was expectant, the others unsure, but Ash¡¯s mind was already working, already searching for a solution. He moved, walking over to one of the chairs that lined the classroom. His hands worked quickly, grabbing the back of the seat, wrenching it free. The legs came apart after a hard pull, splinters flying as he twisted the wood. There was no time to waste. Every second counted.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°I¡¯ll take what we can use,¡± Ash muttered, already setting to work. He tried to broke off the chair legs, holding them up to assess the makeshift weapons they could create. He wasn¡¯t an expert at crafting weapons, but necessity was an excellent teacher. The wood was sturdy enough¡ªrough, jagged, but functional. They could be used for stabbing or bludgeoning if necessary. One by one, the others began to follow his example. Daniel and Tony worked together, pulling apart desks and desks to form jagged points and rough clubs. West, never one to stay idle, grabbed a metal rod from a broken chair and began sharpening one end. The clatter of wood scraping against wood filled the room, and for a brief moment, there was a sense of purpose, a sense of action, as if they were no longer passive observers but participants in their own survival. But then, as if to remind them of the precariousness of their situation, the noise came. A small noise. A faint, almost imperceptible thud. A piece of wood falling from a broken desk to the floor. It wasn¡¯t much, barely enough to be heard over the sound of scraping metal and broken wood. But in the silent tension that had taken over the classroom, it felt deafening. A sharp gasp escaped from one of the students, and Ash¡¯s eyes snapped toward the source of the sound. It came from a table in the back corner where Mark, a quieter student, had accidentally knocked a piece of wood onto the floor. His face turned pale as every eye in the room turned toward him. For a split second, everything went still. Then, from outside, the low, guttural growl echoed once again. It was distant, but unmistakable¡ªa sound filled with hunger and malice. The monsters were close. ¡°Dammit!¡± Ben cursed under his breath, his voice tinged with panic. ¡°We¡¯ve been noticed.¡± Ash¡¯s grip tightened on the makeshift weapon in his hand, his mind running through scenarios. He forced himself to remain calm. Panic would only make things worse. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck rise as the sound of the growl vibrated through the walls. The class, already on edge, was now a bundle of nerves. Some crouched under desks, some held their weapons in shaking hands. There were no calm voices anymore, only tense whispers and fearful glances toward the door. Another growl. Louder this time. Closer. Every second felt like years, every sound felt like death awaits them, every growl echoes in their terrified hearts. Gradually everything quiets down again, removing thorns in everyone''s heart. Everyone thought that everything will calm down now but someone is not going to take this heart wrenching situation quietly. "You!" Nick¡¯s low voice rang out, harsh and commanding, barely a whisper. His face was twisted in anger as he stormed toward Mark, who was standing frozen, his eyes wide with fear. ¡°What the hell were you thinking?! You just had to drop something, didn¡¯t you?¡± Mark tried to step back, his hands raised in a futile attempt to calm the situation. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to! It just slipped, I swear!¡± Nick grabbed him by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground. His grip was tight, and his voice was a snarl. ¡°Do you realize what you just did? You almost got us all killed!¡± The fury in his eyes wasn¡¯t just anger¡ªit was the fear of someone desperately trying to control a situation that had already spiraled out of their hands. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± Mark started again, his voice cracking, but his words were cut off by the low sound of Nick¡¯s breathing, heavy and ragged. ¡°Shut up, Mark! If we die because of your stupid mistake, I swear I¡¯ll¡ª¡± Nick¡¯s words trailed off as he glanced over his shoulder, noticing the rest of the class staring at him. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, and in that moment, it seemed like Nick might not have cared who saw or heard. Ash stood there, watching, his grip tightening on the chair leg in his hand. He didn¡¯t want to intervene, not yet. There was no point in adding fuel to the fire, not when they were all hanging by a thread. But the situation was spiraling out of control. Nick was right in one sense¡ªMark had made a mistake, and that mistake could have cost them dearly. But Nick¡¯s outburst wasn¡¯t helping. It was only making things worse. Mark was trembling now, his face red, his eyes wide with fear. "I didn¡¯t mean it! I swear I didn¡¯t mean it!" he repeated, his voice breaking as he struggled in Nick''s grasp. The rest of the class stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Some looked away, unwilling to get involved, while others fidgeted nervously with the weapons they had hastily put together. No one wanted to be caught in the middle of this. Mia, the class rep, stepped forward, her usually composed demeanor shaken but resolute. ¡°Enough, Nick!¡± Her voice was firm, cutting through the tension. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time for this. We need to focus. Fighting amongst ourselves won¡¯t keep us alive.¡± Nick looked at her, his expression a mix of anger and confusion. He opened his mouth to argue, but Mia held up a hand, silencing him with a single gesture. ¡°Let him go,¡± Mia said, her voice quieter now, though there was no mistaking the authority in it. ¡°You¡¯re not helping.¡± Nick hesitated, his hands still gripping Mark¡¯s collar, but finally, he released him, shoving him back toward the wall. Mark stumbled but stayed standing, his hands pressed to his chest in a defensive gesture. The room fell into silence once more, broken only by the sound of quickened breathing and the distant growl of monsters. Ash glanced around the room, his thoughts turning inward as he assessed the situation. They were broken. This wasn¡¯t just a physical battle¡ªthis was a battle of minds. It was a battle of survival, and every second counted. At that moment, Ash made a silent vow to himself. If they were going to survive this nightmare, they needed to stand together. Or they would fall apart. The decision was already made. It wasn¡¯t about keeping calm for the sake of civility anymore. They had no time for that. Ash turned back to his friends, Ben, West, Tony, Angelo, and Jeremy. Their faces were tense, but their eyes were focused, as if they too understood the gravity of the situation. ¡°We stick together,¡± Ash said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°No one leaves. Not unless we all leave.¡± The others nodded, and for the first time in hours, the weight of their shared resolve was enough to drown out the fear. Outside, the growls continued, but for now, they could only wait. And they would wait, together. Chapter 3: The First Night of the Apocalypse Chapter 3: The First Night of the Apocalypse The classroom was a tomb of silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of phone screens and the soft scrape of a chair leg against the floor. No one spoke, not for a long while. The chaos of the past few hours had left them all stunned, shell-shocked in their own way. The reality of what had happened, the destruction, the monsters, the screams¡ªeverything felt too surreal to grasp fully. Yet, the longer they sat there, the more it settled into their bones like a creeping cold. Ash sat quietly by the window, his gaze fixed on the world outside, where the remnants of the day¡¯s horrors still loomed in the distance. The hallways were eerily deserted now, save for the occasional figure that staggered by¡ªa lone survivor, or perhaps one of the monsters, still wandering aimlessly. The air was thick with the weight of uncertainty, the kind that makes a person¡¯s heart feel like lead in their chest. They had long since stopped asking if help would come. No one was in the mood to entertain false hope. The phones in their hands had become nothing more than lifelines to their families, each call a desperate attempt to hold onto the life they once knew. Some were crying, some were still numb, and others, like Ash, were lost in their own thoughts, trying to process it all, trying to think through the next move, the next step. Around thirty students were in the classroom now, scattered in their seats, each of them consumed by their own minds. Some sat hunched over their phones, muttering in hushed voices to loved ones who were either unreachable or too far away to help. Others stared blankly ahead, their eyes vacant, as though any attempt at rational thought was too much to bear. It was strange how quickly they had all adapted to the new reality. The shock had worn off, replaced by a weary acceptance. The apocalypse was no longer a far-off concept¡ªthey had become a part of it. The silence grew heavier as the minutes dragged on, each tick of the clock resonating like a hammer against the chest. No one spoke. There was nothing to say. Ash sat back in his seat, his eyes flicking between his friends¡ªBen, West, Tony, Angelo, and Jeremy¡ªeach one deep in their own thoughts. The weight of it all hung over them, suffocating. The hunger was starting to gnaw at him now. His stomach had settled into that hollow feeling, the kind of emptiness that made every thought harder to hold on to. He wasn¡¯t the type to panic, but the realization had slowly crept into his mind that food would be their next greatest challenge. A flicker of memory surfaced as he thought about the novels he had read in his spare time, the ones that dealt with apocalyptic worlds. They always said it was survival first¡ªfood would follow. In the stories, the characters would fight over scraps, hoard provisions, and barter with what little they had. Ash knew it was inevitable. Hunger would break them before the monsters ever had the chance. He rummaged through his bag, pulling out a small packet of biscuits and a few candies. Just a handful of things that had been there for when the school day ended, snacks for the walk home. They weren¡¯t much, but in this world, they might be worth their weight in gold. He tucked them back into his bag, making a mental note to keep them for now. He would only share them when it became absolutely necessary. He couldn¡¯t afford to be generous with his rations¡ªnot yet. Ben, who had been pacing the room, suddenly perked up, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Anyone got any food?" he asked, his words almost too casual, but there was a hint of desperation in his tone. The moment he spoke, the others seemed to snap out of their own reverie. It was as if his words had unlocked a primal need that had been sitting dormant in the back of their minds. A wave of murmurs swept through the room, as people started to rummage through their bags, looking for something, anything to stave off the hunger gnawing at them.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Ash watched as Ben made his way around the room, asking each student in turn, his voice growing more insistent as the minutes passed. Some pulled out packets of chips, granola bars, even fruit. Some shared what they had, others hoarded their food like it was a treasure they couldn¡¯t afford to part with. It didn¡¯t take long for the whole class to realize that hunger wasn¡¯t just an inconvenience¡ªit was a threat. Without food, they would break. Slowly, but surely, their unity would crumble, and once that happened, the monsters wouldn¡¯t be the only thing they¡¯d have to worry about. Ben eventually returned to their corner, his face a mixture of frustration and relief. He had a packet of biscuits in his hand, something that seemed insignificant but felt like a small victory. His eyes lit up, and without thinking, he tore the packet open, offering it to Ash and the others. ¡°I got some,¡± he said, his voice thick with anticipation, ¡°Finally, some food.¡± Ash nodded, but didn¡¯t take any. ¡°I¡¯m still fine,¡± he said, his voice steady, though his stomach told a different story. He wasn¡¯t going to indulge just yet. Not when he knew how little there was. Ben, not one to care much for the subtleties of rationing, popped a biscuit in his mouth and chewed it with relish, the crumbs falling onto the floor like wasted crumbs. ¡°It¡¯s better than nothing,¡± he muttered, then looked at West, who had barely said a word since the chaos began. ¡°You want some?¡± West, who was normally laid-back, seemed to consider it for a moment, his eyes flicking toward the offering. He reached for a single biscuit, his hand trembling slightly as he took it. He wasn¡¯t hungry, not yet, but even so, there was a faint, hollow emptiness that was starting to settle in. The room was quiet again, the only sounds were the faint crunching of biscuits and the soft clicks of phone screens. Everyone was trying to distract themselves from the harsh reality, from the hunger, from the fear. But in the back of their minds, they knew they were running out of time. Ash¡¯s thoughts drifted back to the situation at hand. He looked around the classroom. The others were too consumed by their thoughts to notice his scrutiny. Some were hunched over their phones, trying to reach someone, anyone. Some were staring blankly at the wall, the hunger in their bellies mixing with the fear in their hearts. It wasn¡¯t just the monsters they had to worry about now. It was the slow, inevitable collapse of their willpower. And that, Ash knew, would be a far more insidious threat than anything else. The tension in the room was palpable. People were no longer just worried about surviving the monsters outside¡ªthey were worried about surviving each other. If food became scarce, if this continued long enough¡­ How long before they turned on one another? Mia, the class rep, finally spoke up, her voice breaking the oppressive silence. "We need to start thinking about what comes next," she said, her tone sharp, though there was an edge of uncertainty behind her words. "We need to work together. Some of us should stay alert while others sleep. We can¡¯t afford to be careless." Ash watched her closely, her voice steady as always, but he could see the crack in her armor. She was scared, too. Everyone was. "Yeah, you¡¯re right," Ben muttered, still chewing, his mouth full. "But... who¡¯s going to keep watch? We can¡¯t all be asleep. Someone has to be awake." The room quieted again, everyone contemplating the suggestion. In the end, no one volunteered immediately. The weight of the decision was too much. So, the group stayed as they were¡ªsilent, fearful, but too drained to think clearly. Ash, not one to waste time, knew it was time to sleep. There was nothing more to be done tonight. His mind would not be productive in the silence of their hunger, and he could only force himself to wait for tomorrow. With a deep sigh, he leaned back in his chair, forcing his eyes closed. He didn¡¯t know if sleep would come, but there was nothing else left to do. He couldn¡¯t solve this tonight. Not when the world had shifted so violently, when everything familiar had been ripped away in an instant. But in the stillness of the room, amid the hushed murmurs of his classmates, Ash made one silent vow to himself: he would survive. Whatever came next, whatever horrors the night would bring, he would survive. Because in this new world, it was either that... or perish. And Ash wasn¡¯t ready to perish just yet. Unknowingly Ash began to feel excited and scared for the future, his adventurous Spirit taking over, kinda forgetting the horror of this apocalypse. Chapter 4: The Edge of Fear Chapter 4 Ash¡¯s breath echoed in the silent hallways, each exhalation a jagged, desperate rasp. His heart pounded in his chest, the rhythm of panic reverberating through his limbs, urging him to run, to escape. But his legs felt like lead, each step heavier than the last, his body unwilling to obey his frantic mind. The oppressive darkness of the corridor seemed to close in around him, swallowing him whole as the faint flickers of distant lights provided little comfort in the vast, empty space. The world felt distorted¡ªbent out of shape¡ªlike an illusion made real. His thoughts scattered, moving in frenzied circles, too fast to hold onto, too erratic to make sense of. There had been no choice but to leave the relative safety of the classroom, no choice but to see if there was some way to find a way out. But now... now he was paying for it. A soft thudding sound came from behind him, rhythmic, growing louder, faster¡ªcloser. Ash¡¯s stomach turned, a cold wave of dread washing over him, his body freezing in place. He didn¡¯t need to look. He could feel it. Something... someone was coming. The unmistakable sensation of a predator on his heels. The monster. The thing that haunted his every thought. He had seen the way it moved before. The primal grace, the inhuman speed. The predatory drive that propelled it forward. Something so far beyond human capability that the laws of nature themselves seemed to bend. It shouldn¡¯t have been possible, but there it was. Closer now. Ash¡¯s mind raced, but it was too late to formulate a plan. Panic swelled like a tidal wave, swallowing him whole. His breath came in jagged gasps as he spun around, forcing his legs to move again. Run. Run. RUN! But the hallway seemed to stretch on endlessly, its walls closing in like a vice. His muscles burned from the effort, the exhaustion starting to catch up to him, but still, he ran¡ªtoo afraid to stop. The pounding of his heart, the sound of his feet hitting the floor¡ªit all blended into one horrid cacophony. Behind him, the monster''s footsteps were a grim reminder of the imminent danger. Then, without warning, a sharp burst of movement. The monster reached him. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Time seemed to slow as Ash felt something brush against his shoulder¡ªa breath, a whisper of movement. He turned, but all he could see were those eyes. Those red eyes¡ªglowing with malevolent hunger. There was no mercy in them, only cold, calculating predatory intent. Those eyes weren¡¯t just looking at him; they were looking through him, into the very core of his being. It was as if the monster knew him, understood him. And it was terrifying in its familiarity. Ash¡¯s legs buckled beneath him, his body faltering under the weight of his own fear. A strangled cry left his lips, but it was too late. His vision blurred, and the next thing he knew, he was falling¡ªa deep, sickening descent into darkness. The last thing he saw before the world went black was the figure of the monster, looming over him like a twisted deity, its face framed by the crimson glow of its unearthly gaze. --- When Ash opened his eyes again, he was back in the classroom. The stillness hit him first¡ªits cold, suffocating silence pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe. His heart pounded in his ears, not from fear of the monster, but from the panic of his own disorientation. His body was stiff, his clothes damp with the sweat of a nightmare that was still clinging to him. ¡°So it was a nightmare¡± The world felt real again, but it was a strange, uncanny realness. His head throbbed, as though the remnants of that dread had followed him back into this reality. He couldn¡¯t shake the lingering sensation of those eyes. Had it been real? He glanced around. The classroom was dimly lit by the faint glow of streetlights outside, casting long shadows across the room. His classmates were scattered about, some sleeping in their seats, others huddled together, whispering in low tones. Despite the relative quiet, the air was thick with tension, suffocating in its oppressive weight. Who could sleep soundly in the middle of an apocalypse? Mia, the class rep, was leaning against the wall by the window, her eyes wide and unblinking, scanning the horizon outside as though waiting for the next disaster to unfold. Ben, the ever-impulsive one, sat in a corner, tapping restlessly at his phone, though it was clear he wasn¡¯t actually looking for anything¡ªjust trying to fill the empty silence with something, anything. Tony and the others were curled up in their seats, trying to sleep, but it was obvious that none of them had found any true peace. Not here. Not now. Ash ran a hand through his hair, shaking off the lingering disorientation. It was just a dream, he thought. Just a dream. But even as the words formed in his mind, he knew they weren¡¯t true. The sensation of the monster¡¯s presence¡ªthe way it felt like he was trapped in its gaze, like his soul itself had been seen and measured¡ªwas far too vivid to simply be a dream. No, it had been something far darker. Something real. He rubbed his face, trying to push the thought away. There were more immediate things to worry about. The food situation, the growing sense of hopelessness, the uncertainty of survival. But in the back of his mind, that red gaze burned through him. And it made him wonder: How long before that thing finds its way back to this room? His eyes flicked over to his friends. Ben was still muttering something under his breath, his hands jittering nervously as though he couldn¡¯t quite stop moving. Tony and the others¡ªstill, they were all too quiet. Too withdrawn. And Mia, the ever-competent leader, looked like she was holding onto something inside herself, just barely keeping it together. There was no room for vulnerability here. Not now. No one could truly rest. No one could escape the fear, the uncertainty that clung to the air like smoke. Ash felt the weight of the room pressing on him, suffocating him, and for a moment, it felt like the walls were closing in. He didn¡¯t know how much longer they could go on like this. How long until we snap? He closed his eyes, forcing himself to breathe deeply. Tomorrow will come. And when it did, they would have to face it all over again. The monsters, the hunger, the madness of this world. There was no going back. For now, though, he needed to rest. He needed to prepare. Because whatever came next, Ash knew one thing: the real fight was just beginning. Chapter 5: A Dangerous Decision Chapter 5: A Dangerous Decision The day passed. The stillness in the classroom shattered like fragile glass. A voice, sharp with frustration, cut through the silence. ¡°You selfish bitch! You¡¯re just going to hoard food while the rest of us starve?¡± Vanessa stood at her desk, her face twisted with anger. Her voice carried across the room, drawing everyone''s attention. In front of her, a girl clutched her backpack defensively, her knuckles white against the straps. ¡°I brought this food from home! It¡¯s mine!¡± the girl snapped back, her eyes burning with defiance. Vanessa let out a bitter laugh. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s yours? So what, you¡¯re just going to eat it while the rest of us rot? We¡¯re in this together, aren¡¯t we?¡± The girl pressed her back against the wall, tightening her grip on her bag as if it contained the last treasure of the earth. The tension in the room swelled, a volatile mix of hunger, fear, and exhaustion. The students watched in silence, their gazes flickering between the two girls. No one stepped in. No one wanted to pick a side. The hunger had become unbearable. The last scraps of food had been eaten yesterday, and now the gnawing emptiness in their stomachs dulled their thoughts, made them irritable, reckless. A deep voice broke the silence. ¡°This is pointless.¡± Adrian, one of the braver boys, stood up. His lean frame was rigid with suppressed frustration, but his voice remained steady. ¡°We¡¯re fighting over a few bites of food like desperate rats. If we don¡¯t do something, we¡¯ll all collapse before we even have a chance to escape.¡±Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. His words hung in the air, a stark reminder of their dire situation. ¡°So what are you suggesting?¡± Nick, another student, scoffed. He leaned back against a desk, arms crossed over his chest. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp tone betrayed his irritation. ¡°That we just waltz outside and grab some snacks from the cafeteria? Maybe wave at the monsters while we¡¯re at it?¡± Adrian¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°You¡¯d rather sit here and starve?¡± Nick sneered. ¡°I¡¯d rather not be monster food.¡± The tension in the room deepened. Two sides were forming¡ªthe ones who wanted to act and the ones who wanted to wait. Mia, the class rep, rubbed her temples before stepping forward. ¡°Enough. We¡¯re all exhausted, and arguing won¡¯t help. We¡¯ll settle this with a vote.¡± Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. She, too, was at her limit. A murmur ran through the group. A vote meant commitment. It meant deciding their fate. Ash remained quiet, his mind racing. Both choices carried risk. Going outside meant braving the monsters. A single mistake would mean death. But staying inside? That wasn¡¯t much better. Food wouldn¡¯t magically appear. If they grew too weak, even the illusion of safety in this room would become meaningless. He could see it in the eyes of the others¡ªtheir hunger was warping their reasoning. Some students no longer feared death as much as they feared the ache in their bellies. The vote was cast. A decision was made. Allen, a tall and confident student, stepped forward. ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡± His voice was steady, resolute. ¡°We need to know what¡¯s out there.¡± Adrian followed. Then Jason. Two more boys¡ªSam and Ethan¡ªstepped up as well. Ben nudged Ash. His voice was low, tinged with amusement. ¡°You see it, don¡¯t you?¡± Ash turned to him. ¡°See what?¡± Ben smirked. ¡°Allen¡¯s not just doing this for food. His girlfriend is trapped in another classroom.¡± Ash frowned. The pieces clicked into place. That explained Allen¡¯s determination. He wasn¡¯t just looking for food¡ªhe was looking for her. It made sense. But did it matter? In the end, they all had their reasons for wanting to survive. Mia stepped forward, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. ¡°You need to think this through. If you go out there, there¡¯s no guarantee you¡¯ll come back.¡± Allen met her gaze, unwavering. ¡°And if we stay in here, there¡¯s no guarantee we¡¯ll live.¡± Mia exhaled sharply. She had no counter to that. The five who volunteered gathered what little they could use as weapons¡ªbroken chair legs, makeshift clubs. Useless against the monsters, but it gave them something to hold on to. The room fell into silence. Then¡ª A sound echoed from outside. A guttural screech. The sound of something heavy being dragged. Every breath in the classroom hitched. Something was happening out there. A moment later, rapid footsteps thundered down the hall. The monster was moving¡ªtoward the sound. A shriek. A sickening crunch. Then silence. No one spoke. No one dared to move. Ethan exhaled. ¡°It¡­ it ran toward the noise.¡± Jason nodded slowly. ¡°It must¡¯ve found someone.¡± The weight of that realization settled over them. Someone else had been caught. But it also meant¡ªfor now¡ªthe hallway was empty. Allen¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°This is our chance.¡± The absence of the monster felt like an invitation. A dangerous, fleeting window of opportunity. But was it a trap? They didn¡¯t know. All they knew was that they would rather move than stay here and wait for death. They know the danger, they are scared but it''s better than waiting for some hope that is impossible. And nothing would ever be the same again. Chapter 6: The Thin Line Between Reason and Desperation The five boys had left. And the classroom was silent. No one spoke. No one moved. The absence of their presence felt heavy, as if the space they once occupied now carried the weight of their reckless decision. The door had closed behind them, sealing the choice that had been made¡ªnot just theirs, but everyone¡¯s. Some students sat stiffly, waiting. Others avoided looking at the door entirely, as if ignoring it would undo what had just happened. The oppressive air of hunger and fear continued to coil around them, a silent predator in its own right. Ash sat by the window, staring out at the darkened sky. He exhaled slowly, his fingers gripping his wrist to steady himself. His body felt heavier than before, like a deep fatigue had seeped into his very bones. He knew he should have stopped them. Stolen novel; please report. He should have said something. Anything. But the words had died in his throat. Was it because he agreed with them? Was it because deep down, he, too, was beginning to think that waiting here was no different from walking willingly into death¡¯s embrace? His stomach twisted painfully. The hunger was relentless. A dull ache that had started as an annoyance was now a gnawing void inside him. His limbs felt sluggish, his thoughts hazy. He clenched his fists. This wasn¡¯t just hunger. This was something far worse. The Desperation of the Starved Mind Hunger wasn¡¯t just a feeling¡ªit was a force. A quiet, insidious killer that eroded the mind before it destroyed the body. Humans were rational creatures, but only when their basic needs were met. Food. Water. Safety. These things were the foundation of thought, of reason, of civilization itself. Take them away, and all that was left was instinct. There had been studies on starvation before¡ªcases where people deprived of food for long enough began to hallucinate, where their morality became flexible, their sense of time distorted. People made irrational decisions under hunger. They turned on each other. They committed acts they never would have imagined. Ash could already see it happening here. Vanessa¡¯s outburst earlier¡ªthe way she had snapped over food, the way no one had rushed to stop her¡ªwas proof of that. The human mind was strong, but it had limits. And once those limits were breached, all that was left was survival. Rationality would crumble. Fear and desperation would take its place. Ash exhaled. We need a change. If nothing changed, they would collapse under the weight of their own despair. If no food came, if no plan was made, the fragile peace in this room would shatter. It wouldn¡¯tbe a monster that killed them. It would be themselves. Chapter 7: Silent Hours Time moved like a sluggish tide, slow and suffocating. The classroom, once filled with whispers and hushed arguments, had now fallen into a tense silence. The only sounds were the occasional creaks of shifting bodies and the dull, rhythmic ticking of a broken wall clock. The air was thick with anticipation, fear, and something far more dangerous¡ªhope. They were waiting. Waiting for news. Waiting for any sign that the five who had left would return. A Plan for Survival Before their departure, they had laid out a plan¡ªone that was far from perfect but at least gave them a sliver of control over the situation. 1. Communication: Each of the five had been given a phone, one that still had battery life. The idea was simple: they would call or message if they found food, a way out, or if they were in danger. The classroom, in turn, would keep their own phones on hand, ready to respond if anything went wrong. But even this plan had its flaws. How long would the batteries last? How reliable was the signal in this twisted apocalypse? And most concerning of all¡ªwhat if they needed help but couldn''t make a call in time? 2. Makeshift Weapons: Without real weapons, they had to improvise. Metal rods from broken chairs, sharp wooden splinters wrapped with cloth for grips, pens with their sharp points exposed¡ªanything that could be used to fight, to stab, to wound.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. The weapons weren¡¯t ideal, but they were light enough to carry and wouldn¡¯t slow them down if they had to run. Ash had watched as Allen and his group tested them, their faces grim with focus. No one here was a trained fighter, but desperation could push people to do things they never imagined. 3. Emergency Entry: If things went wrong, the classroom door would be opened immediately. No hesitation. No questioning. Nick, surprisingly, had volunteered to be the one to open the door if the group came running back. The decision had been met with brief silence. Nick, the same person who had scoffed at the idea of leaving. The same person who had argued against risking their lives. Now volunteering to hold the door open? Ash didn¡¯t know what to make of it. A part of him wanted to believe that Nick had simply stepped up, that he had realized the importance of teamwork. After all, no matter their past disagreements, they had been classmates for years. There was a bond there, however weak. But another part of Ash couldn''t ignore the sinking feeling in his gut. Was Nick really willing to help? Or was he ensuring that if things got bad, the door would remain closed? Ash shook the thought away. No. I can¡¯t think like that. Not yet. As the hours passed with no news, Ash quietly pulled his closest friends aside. He reached into his bag and pulled out a few biscuits and candies¡ªjust enough to give them a little energy. It wasn¡¯t much, but in this environment, even a single bite felt like a blessing. Their eyes lit up. The hunger had been gnawing at all of them, their bodies sluggish and their minds foggy. When Ash handed them the small portions, there was no need for words¡ªjust quiet gratitude. "Keep it down," Ash murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is all I have left. Make it last." That wasn¡¯t entirely true. There was still one more biscuit and a few candies in his bag, but something in him hesitated. It wasn¡¯t rational. It wasn¡¯t kindness or survival instinct. It was greed. An unconscious, deeply ingrained fear that if he gave everything away now, he would regret it later. That if the worst came, if starvation pushed people past their limits, he might need that extra bit of food for himself. He swallowed hard. Is this what hunger does to people? He had never considered himself selfish. But now, when it mattered, he was hoarding. Just like the monsters that lurked outside, driven by nothing but base instinct. The thought unsettled him. A Night of Dread The night dragged on. Mia had tried calling the group multiple times, but no one answered. Each failed attempt tightened the invisible noose around their throats, the uncertainty of what had happened gnawing at them worse than hunger ever could. Occasional noises echoed from the distant hallways¡ªunidentifiable rustlings, faint metallic clatters, and once, a sharp, abrupt thud that sent their nerves into overdrive. But none of them dared to move. No one slept soundly that night. Not with the fear that their five classmates might never return. Chapter 8: Allen鈥檚 decision Chapter 8: Allen¡¯s decision Allen and his group of five ventured deeper into the ruined corridors of the school. The halls were eerily silent, the flickering emergency lights casting long, jagged shadows. Every step they took was met with the crunch of broken glass or the faint creak of loose floor tiles. The absence of the monster was both a relief and a growing source of paranoia. They knew it had left after chasing some distant noise, but for how long? Then, they saw it. At the end of the hallway, near the shattered remains of a vending machine, a lone monster stood¡ªgnarled, humanoid, but grotesque beyond recognition. Its flesh was stretched too tight over jagged bones, its mouth filled with too many teeth, its fingers elongated into claw-like appendages. It hadn''t noticed them yet. A moment of hesitation passed between the five. They weren¡¯t fighters. They had makeshift weapons, but was this really possible? Allen tightened his grip on the metal pipe in his hands. His mind screamed at him to run, but another part¡ªthe part that refused to let his girlfriend die alone¡ªforced him forward. ¡°We can take it,¡± he whispered, trying to convince himself as much as the others. ¡°Together.¡± The others hesitated. Then, with a collective breath, they charged. The monster reacted instantly, its head snapping toward them, glowing red eyes narrowing. It let out a guttural shriek, its body twitching unnaturally before lunging. Adrenaline took over. Allen swung first, the metal pipe colliding with the creature¡¯s side with a sickening crunch. Ethan followed up with a stab of his makeshift spear¡ªa broken chair leg with a sharpened end¡ªaiming for the monster¡¯s abdomen. The creature shrieked, but it didn¡¯t go down. The fight was chaotic, desperate. The monster shrieked, its grotesque body twisting unnaturally as it lashed out with razor-sharp claws. The group barely had time to react before it lunged¡ªfast, too fast. Allen barely dodged, the creature''s claws grazing his arm, tearing through his sleeve and leaving behind a shallow wound. He gritted his teeth, forcing the pain down. ¡°Keep attacking! Don¡¯t let it recover!¡± he shouted. Jason moved first, slamming his sharpened chair leg into the monster¡¯s shoulder. The creature hissed in pain but retaliated instantly, swiping at Jason¡¯s chest. He barely managed to block with his arm, but the force sent him staggering back. Ethan rushed in next, thrusting his makeshift spear into the creature¡¯s side. The monster let out a guttural snarl, twisting unnaturally to grab at Ethan¡¯s weapon. It yanked, pulling him off balance¡ªand that¡¯s when Allen saw his chance. His eyes flickered with something cold, something instinctual.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. He could use this. Instead of helping, Allen took a step back. Ethan¡¯s panicked eyes met his. ¡°Allen¡ªhelp me!¡± The monster lunged, claws sinking into Ethan¡¯s side. He screamed. Jason and the others hesitated¡ªjust for a moment¡ªbut that was all it took. The creature lifted Ethan off the ground and slammed him into the wall with inhuman force. Blood splattered as his body went limp. A horrible silence followed. ¡°No¡ªNO!¡± One of the boys, Sam, tried to charge in revenge, but Allen tripped him. The movement was so subtle, so natural, that it looked like an accident. Sam fell face-first¡ªright into the monster¡¯s reach. The creature wasted no time. It grabbed him, sinking its jagged teeth into his throat. Gurgling, choking sounds filled the air as blood spurted from Sam¡¯s torn flesh. His hands flailed weakly, then went still. Allen panted, heart hammering in his chest. Two down. Only Jason and the last remaining boy, Ryan, were left. Ryan turned to Allen, pure terror in his eyes. ¡°What the hell are you doing? We have to¡ª¡± Allen made his final move. With a brutal, calculated swing, he brought his metal pipe down onto Ryan¡¯s knee. The sickening crack of breaking bone echoed through the hall. Ryan collapsed, screaming in agony. The monster was on him in an instant. Allen turned away, blocking out the gruesome sounds of tearing flesh. Jason was the only one left. But Allen couldn¡¯t focus on that now. The creature was still alive. ¡°Together! Now!¡± Allen roared. Jason hesitated¡ªhis mind struggling to process the betrayal he had just witnessed¡ªbut survival instinct took over. The two of them attacked with everything they had. Jason¡¯s spear sank into the creature¡¯s back. Allen swung relentlessly, smashing its skull over and over, even as it shrieked, even as its body twitched. The monster¡¯s movements grew sluggish. One final, desperate attack¡ªits claws lashed out, carving into Allen¡¯s shoulder. He gritted his teeth through the pain and brought his pipe crashing down one last time. CRACK. The creature convulsed violently¡ªthen collapsed. Silence. A strange mist began to rise from the monster¡¯s corpse¡ªdense, glowing, unnatural. Allen barely had time to react before it rushed toward them. The moment it touched his skin, he felt everything change. A surge of pure energy flooded his body. The pain in his wounds dulled, his fatigue melted away, and for a brief, terrifying moment, he felt limitless. His breath hitched. He turned to Jason. Jason¡¯s eyes were wide, his body trembling as he absorbed the energy as well. Allen should have been in awe. Should have questioned what just happened. But he wasn¡¯t thinking about that. He was thinking about Jason. The only witness. Jason had seen everything. The way Allen had let Ethan die. How he had sacrificed Sam. How he had crippled Ryan. Jason knew. Allen couldn¡¯t let him live. For a brief second, Allen hesitated. The apocalypse had only just begun. Morality still mattered. They were still human. But was he? He had already chosen survival over friendship. He had already crossed the line. And if Jason went back to the classroom¡­ If Jason told them the truth¡­ Allen¡¯s reputation, his leadership, his life would be at risk. The others would never forgive him. They would turn on him. He couldn¡¯t have that. His grip on the metal pipe tightened. Jason, still recovering from the rush of energy, didn¡¯t even realize what was happening until it was too late. Allen moved fast. One brutal swing¡ªaimed straight at Jason¡¯s temple. Jason barely turned in time. The pipe grazed his head, knocking him off balance. ¡°Allen?!¡ªWhat the fuck?!¡± Jason¡¯s voice was raw with betrayal. Allen didn¡¯t stop. Another swing¡ªJason dodged. He stumbled back, raising his hands in a desperate attempt to reason with him. ¡°Allen, please! I won¡¯t tell anyone! I swear!¡± But Allen wasn¡¯t listening. He had already made his choice. Survival. With a sharp kick, he sent Jason crashing into the vending machine behind him. Glass shattered, jagged edges cutting into Jason¡¯s arms as he struggled to get up. Allen loomed over him. One more hit. Jason realized it then. Allen was going to kill him. Not because of the apocalypse. Not because of the monsters. But because he knew too much. Tears welled in Jason¡¯s eyes. He wanted to beg, wanted to fight, but his body wouldn¡¯t move fast enough. Allen swung down. Jason tried to block¡ªtried to grab the weapon¡ª But Allen had all the power now. The pipe came down again. And again. And again. Until Jason stopped moving. Until there was nothing left but silence. Allen stood there, panting, staring at Jason¡¯s lifeless body. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. He had done it. He had survived. But why did his hands feel so heavy? His stomach churned. A deep, nauseating guilt threatened to bubble up¡ªbut he shoved it down. Swallowed it. This was the world now. And he would do anything to stay alive. For myself and for my loved ones. Allen tried to console himself for what he had done. Allen turned away, gripping his weapon tighter. He had no regrets. At least, that¡¯s what he told himself. Because if he admitted the truth¡ªif he let himself feel¡ª Then he would have to face what he had become.