"Ms. Graham! Ms. Graham!" Jully thought she knew the answer. "It's five!" She didn't.
"Almost, but no. Where did Jully go wrong, class?" Ms. Graham made sure to smile at Jully, Lord knew the girl needed some positive reinforcement.
A tentative. "Six?" Came from several mouths in the back.
Ms. Graham pointed and nodded. "Yes, yes. Very good." She turned to her whiteboard, started writing with her marker. "Now. Settle down kids. Now, who can tell me -"
Something came through the window at startling velocity. It spun, sending smoke all across the classroom. Ms. Graham kept calm while the children started screaming, toppling over desks and trying to get out the door. Doors are locked during classes. Suddenly all classrooms unlocked but Ms. Graham raised her hands high. "Don't leave this room!"
The eyes that turned to stare at her were like frightened animals caught in a trap. Now, their limb was set free, and yet they were asked to remain? Luckily, Ms. Graham's students were more capable than wild animals.
"This might be a drill, might not be." She yelled over the commotion. "We have to stay inside. Remember! The hallways are dangerous!" Several wobbling lips nodded. "Stay here. Stay safe. Pick a buddy, and look after one another."
There were footsteps running outside, but far fewer than most would expect. The kids were well drilled and disciplined. Graham feared however, this wasn't a drill.
The kids got into their positions, several were armed with laser guns or laser shields. Some wore determined expressions. Others didn't hide their wide eyes panic. Everyone was afraid - Ms. Graham most of all.
Everything became still. The device that broke their window stopped fizzing smoke and the children held their breath. Ms. Graham was crouched behind her desk, observing each entrance as well as the status of each of her kids. Suddenly, there was a disturbance at one of the windows. She sent the information to Jully, as she was the one closest.
Jully's display lit up, she didn't flinch. Atta girl. As the shape started to take form, she sliced his head clean in half. Still in stride, she sliced another. The others remained disciplined and held their fire while Jully dispatched with a third intruder.
After that, Ms. Graham studied her feed but nothing. The smoke soon dissipated, and the drill alarm rang. Everyone relaxed.
"Jully!" Ms. Graham received the frightened girl in her arms. She was sobbing. "Shh, shh, shh. You did great. You did great, Jully. Shhh."
"Ms. Graham." Jully pulled away once she calmed herself. "That, that was so real. I - I killed those people..."
Graham caressed Jully's hair. "It was real. Oh sweet child, it was. But you did well." She stood so the whole class could hear her. "Today's drill was a harbinger of what's to come. We have to be ready. We have to trust in one another. Today it was Jully, tomorrow it might be Timmy or Kate. We have to count on everyone."
Her kids put on brave faces through teary expressions. But she knew they were ready.
"Remember! Hone your skills and stay informed. Class dismissed."
Thanks for reading! 😗
I appreciate any and all feedback - we're all trying to become better writers here.
This was a 5 minute freewrite hosted by @mariannewest.
👊 Follow me on my HIVE blog 👊
Image source.
Stay safe folks! 🙌
Return from 5 Minute Freewrite: Tuesday - Prompt: stay informed to Јоцко's Web3 Blog
