Beyond the Horizon(An apocalypse novel)

Chapter 29: Announcement

Miles kept his face impassive, even as his stomach growled again, his mind considering his skill further.

Focusing on the icon did little to help either. It was the same as [Delusion], with no helpful descriptions beneath it.

Looking at the rest of the room, both Kyle’s and the sagging boy’s corpse were gone now. Both had been placed in the gym’s storage room on account of outside still being too dangerous.

With it merely containing spare gym clothes, some sporting equipment, and some supplies, they didn’t have much use for it.

Miles had taken the chance to take some spare clothes. Snow had settled on the hoodie, snow that his body had melted, making it damp and heavy.

Mrs. Kathy encouraged everyone else to do the same. Except Mr. Morgan, since nothing quite fit him.

Miles only took off his hoodie, setting it to dry by the heater. He wore a shirt underneath, so there was no need to use the lockerooms.

He pegged the machine to have a day of life left, likely less, before it gave up on them. For all he knew, it would die tonight.

’Just one more terrible possibility to add to the rest of them.’

The main threats were the principal and the ghouls outside. Whatever anomaly haunted the corridors didn’t seem to extend its control to the gym.

That line of thought led him to another.

’We still haven’t seen Mr. Freeman’s group.’

The obvious guess was that the principal had dealt with them. But if they were dead, then why hadn’t he seen their ghouls roaming?

’Did it devour them?’

It was possible. It would certainly explain why the corridors felt so empty.

Classrooms were located on the other wing, and on upper floors. If most students had perished in their classes, then the only students in the gym’s wing would be those who fled here early enough.

’And if the principal somehow got rid of Mr. Freeman’s group, then it makes sense that there weren’t many ghouls outside.’

He grimaced at the thought.

It also meant the ghouls were still roaming about the school. It would only be a matter of time before more wandered down to the gym.

Miles glanced at the door. Mr. Morgan locked it sometime after coming back in; there was little chance of any survivors wandering into the gym. Leaving it open was just a security risk now.

His train of thought was interrupted by a notification on his phone.

He wasted no time in picking it up, hoping it was Henry or Jayce. But it was from neither.

The message came from the newly created group chat.

[Morgan: Gather around, we’ve made some plans for dinner. It’ll be lights out soon after that. We need all the sleep we can get before tomorrow.]

Miles turned to find him standing at the center of the room. The man wasn’t alone. Beside him was that girl, Sarah, and her group of friends. Each held their backpacks before them.

Another message popped into the group chat. This time from Ryan.

[Ryan: @Grimm @Brandon, there’s no use acting tough here. We’ve heard your stomachs, both of you should come eat too. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you @Miles.]

His lips twitched at the sight, and he raised his head to find Ryan staring directly at him.

’Did he really need to-’

Miles’s train of thought was interrupted by his belly growling again. His lips twitched even worse, especially once he found Ryan smiling at the sight.

More eyes were on him now.

In the end, he sighed before standing up and joining the throng of students heading to the center.

A few students arranged mats around Mr. Morgan in circles. Sitting down on one of them, he felt someone sit next to him.

Chloe.

She glanced at him, a different pair of glasses on her face, before pulling something from her pocket and pressing it against his hand, whispering,

"Thanks. For earlier."

His eyes widened a bit, but he accepted it with a nod... and a little embarrassment.

’So she’d heard it too.’

He didn’t linger on it much, though, checking the item.

A chocolate bar.

Miles furrowed his brows at the sight, alternating his gaze between his bandaged hands and the bar. They still ached when he tried moving them.

Chloe opened her mouth as she caught on to his dilemma.

"I-"

"It’s fine. Thanks."

He shut her down.

’Work.’

He looked at his hands, raising one to tear off the chocolate wrapper. His fingers shivered as he tried angling them around it, moving them slowly so they didn’t actively hurt as he did so.

Needless to say, he was failing miserably.

From the side, Chloe could only stare helplessly as she watched him struggle. Eventually, she sighed before snatching it out of his hands.

She tore off the wrapper before placing it back in his hands.

Miles remained silent for a moment, pursing his lips before nodding, whispering meekly.

"Thanks."

Chloe covered her mouth, suppressing a chuckle as her eyes curved into smiles.

"You’re welcome."

Miles could only sigh inwardly at the sight.

’That’s two people having fun at my expense now.’

At least it wasn’t all useless. The laughter chased some shadows off her face.

Mr. Morgan clicked his fingers, drawing attention back to himself before whispering. His voice could reach most at this distance.

"Alright. We’ve gathered some snacks from those willing to share."

He pointed to Sarah and her group, who all nodded and smiled in response. Though Sarah’s smile seemed slightly strained to him, the rest were genuine.

"There were also packs of water in Mr. Freeman’s office, with some crackers and emergency gummies."

The mention of Mr. Freeman dulled the atmosphere a bit, but Mr. Morgan moved quickly.

"That’s about all we have. If you have any food in your bags, you can share it if you want. Hopefully, we can raid the cafeteria for food tomorrow."

How exactly they’d pass through the hallways, the principal, and the ghouls was anyone’s guess, but he wasn’t going to dull the mood now.

The girls, joined by Ryan, moved around, handing out a bottle of water, a handful of crackers, and half a protein bar.

’Yum.’

Miles could only think dryly. It wasn’t the most appetizing dinner, but it definitely beat starving.

He heard rising whispers from students around him.

"An update?"

"Yeah. I just saw it now."

"What?"

Before Miles could eavesdrop anymore from them, someone had already turned the TV on.

The buzzing EAS message began playing again.