59 Prelude to Terror (1/2)

I was a bit sleepy and tired. As I was slowly walking to the school, like I did before, I was thinking of turning around and not coming back to this cursed place ever again. But that would have some pretty bad consequences... The evil experiment would continue for years to come, and the school would be under the influence of The Community. Furthermore, I would most definitely lose my job and quickly run out of money. No matter how I looked at it, it was my problem.

Crows were flying around as I was walking past the woodland. I had managed to arrive very early. There was no sign of life in the building, but I was almost sure that I would find Mr. Kenan inside.

I got into the building and started walking towards the chemistry lab. On my way, I suddenly changed my mind and entered a restroom.

I opened my suitcase, and there it was... I sighed in relief. A large, sharpened knife carefully placed between the folders. Now that I was more experienced, I could think of bringing a weapon of my own. It was a part of my own plan, an alternative to Mr. Kenan's idea of 'making peace' with The Community.

I quickly closed my suitcase and directly headed to the chemistry lab. Mr. Kenan was sitting there silently and waiting for me, completely oblivious of my thoughts. Everything was in order in the lab, there was no sign of yesterday's events.

”Hello, you are early.” he said.

”Yeah, just like you wanted.” I replied.

”How do you feel?” he asked me.

”I'm... I had better times.” I replied.

”Be honest.” he said.

”Actually, I've never felt worse.” I answered this time. ”...almost.”

”I can understand that.” he said. ”However, you shouldn't listen to your feelings. This is what we did wrong the first time, when you were a student.”

I didn't agree or disagree with him. He turned around and started looking out of the window.

”The Community just shared the list of the victims with me. Luckily, you were the only adult that was targeted. The rest of the list is full of students. I bet you know some of them.” he said.

”What do we do now?” I asked.

”Come closer.” he said as he opened a red notebook. He pointed at something on a page. ”Do you know her?”

”I... I can't remember the name.” I said.

”Okay, don't worry. You will be entering her lesson today. Just look her up on the list when you do.” he said.

”And... then what?” I asked.

”At the lunch break, take her to the chemistry lab. That's the only thing you need to do.” he said.

”How exactly?” I asked him. It would be very awkward for me to ask a student to follow me into the chemistry lab. I wasn't even a chemistry teacher to begin with!

”That's for you to figure out. Surprise me.” he said.

”Why don't you do it instead while I wait here? I am not a chemistry teacher.” I told him.

”Exactly.” he replied. ”Because you don't know a lot of chemistry. As you are making your way here, I will be preparing the chemicals and everything else. Do you have anything else to ask?”

”Uhm... No.” I said.

”Well, okay then. We shall meet again soon enough.” he said. I didn't answer him and just got outside the lab. I closed the door and leaned to the wall. My heart was beating rapidly. It wasn't too late; I still had time to choose between helping Mr. Kenan and hoping for the best, or sabotaging the entire operation, enraging The Community and possibly making them hostile.

I slowly walked towards the teachers' room.