SSHS 126 The next day— Tuesday for the third week of November, the day started pretty much the same. Students both from home and dorms were flooding the school gourds wearing their thick clothes to protect them from the cold weather of winter. They all engaged in talks and short conversations as they coincided with each other, others were heading straight to their classrooms, others were visiting the library for one last look at the lessons and those who are in any clubs visited their clubroom first before heading to their own classrooms. The visitation of clubrooms became a routine, that students who are in any club would go to their clubrooms first and interact with any existing club members or to just chill for a short while before heading to the classroom. This is no exception to the Student Council members as they would always find each other in the Student Council Office every morning and there they will have a short conversation to go through their duties and schedule for t
SSHS 127 The crowd cheers ever more louder as the game continues on. The tapping of the keys on the keyboards of the two playersare only audible to them, whilst they cannot hear the cheers of the people behind them as they both wear noise cancelling headphones. The both of them were intensely focused on the screen, both typing rapidly as they viewed the black and green contents of the screen. The both of them are trying to best the other in this game of a bet. The school hours were long gone and here they are, still trying to finish a program in order to win the bet. But then again, how did it lead to this in the first place? On a day that started with so much fun and exhaustion for the other students, how come a bet came to take place? The fact that Albert and Arthur are not really close, nor do they know each other very well in the first place. The chances of them having a conversation was very minimal and they were only able to see each other when Hestia was present. There is n
SSHS 128 Surely, there's an explanation. Surely, there is something that would ease the thoughts in their minds and straighten their train of thoughts. But it must be now, and never later. Anymore waiting and the more that they wait, the darker the thought. The feeling of unease and how the situation presents itself is not reassuring in any way, in fact, it worsens their minds, spiralling downwards to the darkest thoughts they have in mind. Paranoia, depression, anxiety and all the negative thoughts and feelings seemingly crowd their minds, making them unable to think rational thoughts--- the kind of thoughts that would get them out of the current situation. Though it may seem like a childish way of thinking but then again, these students did not experience things down from earth. They are the privileged few. This does not only apply to the spies— though they are more resilient than the normal people— but also to the normal students who were remaining trapped inside their classrooms
SSHS 129 Sure she wished to be included in those adrenaline rushed situations. Sure, she wished to feel like someone who has a job and is doing the job perfectly. Sure, she wanted to feel like a spy like she used to before enrolling in the La Florence Academy; but not like this, not in this situation where she needs to make a decision that involves a lot of people in one go. She needs to cater to all of them, she needs to be able to satisfy all of them; and given the current moment or situation, it is a challenge too big for a teenager. ‘In fact, I’m not doing my job as a spy, but at least I’m doing my job as the Student Council Vice President.’ Hestia thought to herself as she and the Club Presidents were roaming the hallways of the building, keeping the students in check. Every building that lacks the guidance of an elder or any teacher was in a complete chaos. The building that Hestia and Albert was in were one of those. As the whiteout continued— even though the restlessnes
SSHS 130 It was already deep into the night, quarter to eleven in the evening and most of the students settled into their jackets and found a place they were comfortable to sleep in. The others decided to stay a little bit more into the late night to tell scary stories, play some board games or card games even and there are those who are getting into the deep conversation as the night goes deeper with them. The other Club Presidents also settled in for the night, they were determined that the whiteout would last until tomorrow and they did advise the others to sleep and conserve their energy. “Well then, Hestia, and you guys. We’re going to sleep now, wake us up if something happens or if you need help.” the Gaming Club President said as he and other Club Presidents followed him to their clubrooms, ready to retire for the night. Hestia, Albert and the other Club Presidents who stayed with Hestia bid them farewell, and then they took a seat inside the Photography Club. Some of them
SSHS 131 Hestia and Albert, with the other Club Presidents who are still awake, then proceeded to check and reassure the students with regards to the flickering lights. While she and her spy partner then went to the basement to check on the breakers and to also check the entrances to the building. “The flickering of the lights might be caused by the snow storm outside.” one of the Club Presidents who are with the two of them reasoned out, trying his best to not panic and think of the worst case scenario. “Yes, that reason has the highest possibility to be true, but for safety, we better check.” Hestia said as he went to the main entrance of the building and checked if it was locked. It was locked. The backside entrance is also locked according to Albert. The doors were locked once the blizzard started, and any snow that could have gotten inside might have melted or was swept away by some students. ‘Then why are there fresh snows inside? The door handle also has some snow on them.’
SSHS 132 It was a popular phrase: “The calm before the storm”. It usually means that something fine, fun or something generally positive happens before a disaster strikes. The disaster, whether it be a natural one, mad- made or something out of the chance, it always brings the biggest of the catastrophe to that person’s life, or their lives. Nonetheless, the situation always turns out into something like this: fun time then into a major fuckery. Such as the situation right now. Once they had lifted the blankets, Hestia was ready to spray some of those stinging chemicals to one of their eyes, Albert was ready to stab the other with his taser pen. They were quick, and silent that the two rookie undercover spies were put in a difficult situation. The two intruders were already awake and were already aware of their plan to ambush them, therefore, the two intruders dressed in winter clothes with their faces hidden— had knives pointed to the students that surrounded them. They took the
SSHS 133 With hurried steps and a loud voice, Hestia and Albert ascended the stairs and began waking up the students sleeping in them. “Wake up! Get up now! Go to the third floor! Now!” Hestia commanded them as she barked her orders. “Hurry!” she added as she ascended to the floors and went to the doors. She immediately locked the staircase doors linking to the first floor where the bad guys are. “What is happening? What’s all this commotion?” said one of the newly awakened students. But she did not receive any reply nor an answer, instead, she was grabbed by Hestia and made her stand, then pushed upwards. “To the third floor, now!” Hestia barked at her and she couldn't do anything but follow what Hestia said. The students from the first floor awakened the students sleeping at the second floor staircase. They all asked questions but were only told to head straight to the third floor. “Know the reason why?” asked one. “I dunno really.” replied one. Then all of a sudden, a burst