31 CHAPTER 30 (1/2)
ZONE -3
It was an odd experience, judging from the fact that the students wore a confused and uncertain look. This was the first time they had heard the emergency bell, which had echoed like a thunder pushing the foundation of the school. The linage color streaking their uniforms; was the only thing that distinguished the junior class from the seniors. They all sat in hierarchy on stair chairs, which ascended towards the white roof, according to their grade. The stair chairs were arranged in semicircular pattern. At the far end, some meters away from the only door in the grand hall, was a long table, which completed the semicircle of the stair chairs, cutting it like an orange ball chopped in one end with a knife. Behind this table was a huge television screen. The numerous chandeliers on the ceiling poured out rich sunlight, whose radiance was passing through the ceiling fan, making the wallpapers of the teachers, greasy with light.
”Do you think this meeting was called because of the incident at Ema's apartment?” Matt whispered to Jeff who was sitting beside him.
”It would be a relief to my soul if that was to be the case. I think someone must have seen us in the girls' section.” Jeff shivered. If someone had spotted them; that means that their stay in the academy was over.
The cracking sound of the wooden door, brought serenity to the hall, as all eyes flowed towards the direction of the curvy posture of the principal. He was in white suit, together with the staffs that accompanied him. The looks on their faces were unreadable, nothing to suggest the reason for the meeting.
The principal stood over the lectern and activated the VA – the voice activator device attached to the lectern - as the hall sat down. He held the peace for a while, almost as if the words were too numerous in his mouth and he doesn't know where to start spelling them.
”Three students were found in the girls' dormitory this evening”
Jeff and Matt nearly choked. Ham, who was sitting next to them but a little distant away, stared at Jeff tearfully. Expulsion was etched in his eyes. Jeff saw Ema and Pinna moving their lips, from the left opposite end, but did not hear what they were saying. It looked as though they were trying to tell Ham something, but Ham wasn't paying attention to either of the girls at the moment.
The murmurs in the hall grew, coupled with the side talks which circulated throughout, but it all dissolved immediately the principal continued.
”These three students, George Orleans, Collins Eder and Orlando Nixa” The principal said ”Were found dead In the Second generation of the Dove's scale, in the girls' dormitory. They were students of the fifth generation and among our best.”
Jeff and Matt exhaled as relief flooded them, at least they were safe. The students started murmuring loudly, that it took the whole teachers in the hall to calm them down.
”Am not telling you this to spread panic, the academy is still as safe as ever. But since we are yet to find the killer, curfew is now six o'clock, for all students, both the seniors and the first generation.”
Some of the students especially those in the fifth grade all stood up and protested, complaining vehemently, that they do have training after six.
”Remember the first rule in this academy, 'obey the new rule, I repeat, curfew for every student is six on the clock, any student found violating these rule in any way would be punished severely. You have your rules, you have your order, don't let chaos destroy you” The principal deactivated the VA and walked down the podium, with the rest of the teachers on his heel. The students started departing too, wearing fear, anxiety and confusion.
”You two should wait behind” Raz whispered to Jeff and Matt ”There is something I need to show you” He finished and disappeared in the crowd.
”Who is that” Ham asked the two boys who were watching Raz as he wanders and disappears in the crowd. Pinna and Ema must have noticed it too, as they stood before the three, forming a little crowd of their own.