Law Of Last Day

Chapter 1: The Dome

THE FRONT GATES of the new Howell Stennburg High School were no less than ten times taller than the walls around the premises.

Alexey was not one to tell if it was either a failed architecture or a random architectural statement, but her eyes could see enough to tell something was wrong with the proportion.

She looked at the far end of the walkway and gawked at the sight of the building.

A giant white dome stood at the center of the wide grassy field, decorated with a rolled circular door and small windows—none of it looked a lot like a usual school should.

The surrounding abundant trees and the students entering the dome helped her picture its size. If Cowboys Stadium had a younger sibling, she was looking at it now.

She was impressed, but it did not last for a bit longer.

With the number of students, it was inadequate to fill the dome—heck, they could barely fill a quarter of its size. It was unnecessary and suspicious. She hoped many people felt the same; if the building was this huge, its extra space could be a room for anything else.

It looks like a research facility to me.

She sighed. She could turn around and race back home if one of her best friends was not inside waiting for her. And now they had to spend the time with the rest of their curiously enthusiastic schoolmates who only wanted to see this new school.

As she walked, the pocket knives brushed slightly against the skin of her ankle. Her older brother made her sneak two. He took the moving a little too seriously, but now that she saw the school, maybe she did not have to call him paranoid.

She just wished no one could notice—

“I also have one,” someone spoke beside her, and damn, her reflex to take out one of them almost kicked in.

The unfamiliar male with a dark mop of hair turned to her with a grin. She pulled the straps of her backpack close to her chest and walked ahead.

He was matching her steps not even a few seconds later. “It's Kurt,” he said. Alexey tried to force a smile. The male thinned his lips.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”

Why is he even talking to me? “Do I know you?”

She looked around. Ten men in white uniforms stood in line under the shade of the walls, not a glance paid to anything else but the dome. Despite appearing without any weapon, something about them sketched hostile.

“Of course not,” he chuckled. “I transferred here today.”

Her face wrinkled something in between frown and disgust, mouth agape. “What school would accept transferees when the school year is ending?”

“Your school did,” he shrugged. “Like every other school in the world.”

Alexey looked back at the opened steel gate. Everything started to look like it meant something; a purpose.

Purpose felt fitting, but for what? What was the purpose of the schools moving into new premises that looked five times bigger than their previous school, on the same day?

When she looked beside her, Kurt had already gone elsewhere. He talked to a group of students and then rushed toward the dome.

She took out her phone. After seeing three missed calls, she dialed the number. “What's up, Kaye?”

“Where are you?”

“At school, why? Emmi said she was already here. You?”

There was a pause and then a clatter and hushed whispers on the other end. “Careful,” Kaye whispered.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. I’ll call you later.”

“Are you going to—” the line beeped.

“—school?” She quickly typed in a message of the same question, just in case her friend did not hear.

***

The interior of the dome was just as large as it looked outside. But there was no time for a tour, so Alexey dashed to the long and wide hallways of the building until she managed to get to the fourth and last division of the dome.

Hundreds crowded a large display screen when she got there. She jumped to see the school map, but she was too far back. All she could see were heads.

Just before she could try to get through, someone squeezed past her. Their eyes met for a second, and then she was dragged away.

“I found our room,” Kurt smiled. “Alexey, right?”

“How did you know?”

“The screen shows the rooms and stuff,” he let her arm go when they reached the stairs.

His steps hit heavy on the stairs. “They should’ve made this an escalator.”

“They should’ve mounted the screen on the high ceiling for everyone to see while they’re at it.”

Kurt laughed. “Quite an idea, I give you that.”

When they reached their classroom, at last, Alexey found Emmi seated in the middle with an evident scowl.

She took a seat beside her. “Why?”

The curly redhead turned to her. “I sneaked into a room where some men in white came from.”

Alexey smacked her arm. “Are you serious? What if you get in trouble?”

“I was just intrigued! No one saw me,” she bit her lip and looked around. “There were containers with sewing kits,” she started and shook her head. “I don't like thinking about using any of it.”

“That is the least of our worries.”

“It’s one of mine. I can’t sew or knit.”

Alexey frowned and took her phone out. “I think Kaye isn't coming.”

Emmi nodded. “She told me to stick by you,” She pursed her lips and leaned close. “I overheard the School Director talking on the phone on my way out."

"I swear if you get in trouble—"

"No, wait, listen. He said,” she cleared her throat. "Howell Stennburg is ready for the event as planned," she flailed her arms. "And then he ended the call and almost caught me!"

The event is not school exclusive?

“You shouldn’t have gone there,” Alexey sighed. Her eyes found Kurt by the window before he took a seat. She bit her lip and turned to Emmi. “Listen. Don't you think all of this is just strange? The school, the event? We don't even know what this event is; they just told us to come and see.”

“I think the same. I should have stayed with my bed.”

Alexey stared at her odd. “I’m serious here, Tweety-t**t,”

She glanced around before she shoved a pocket knife into Emmi’s bag. “Here. Just in case.”

Emmi gasped. “Where did you even get this?”

“Peter. He gave me two of that.”

Loud chatter continued to fill the room. She stood up quickly and looked out the window. “We should skip this and go home. The gate’s still open,” she whispered.

Emmi firmly nodded. “I was waiting for you to say that,” she paused. “What if they don’t let us?”

“We’ll figure it out.”

They hauled their bags on their shoulders and went for the door.

Mrs. Fern, with eye bags and a pale face, was acquainted with four new students. "Where are you two going?"

"My friend has dysmenorrhea," she held Emmi's hand. The latter held onto her abdomen and bit her lip.

"You can take her to the infirmary," Mrs. Fern said as she eyed the two.

"Can I take her home? She wants me to take her home."

Mrs.Fern looked at them as if to consider it. Alexey did not know why her eyes and lips trembled a little.

"I can take her to the infirmary after the announcement," Mrs. Fern moved her head. "Back to your seats, please."

Alexey looked at her best friend and frowned.

“Everyone, please settle down,” Mrs. Fern hit the glass podium with a stack of paper. Everyone rushed to their seats and the room was surrounded by anticipating silence.

“Welcome to our new school. I’ve been hearing you insist it is called the dome,” She gestured a quotation in the air. “Most of you are probably surprised by the sudden moving. I hope you adapt to the new place as soon as possible.

Anyway, I'm here to announce some sad news. Kaye has been in a car crash with her father today. They both sadly didn’t make it. Her mother personally contacted us with the heartbreaking news moments ago.”

But I just talked to her earlier.

Emmi hugged Alexey whose eyes were dull and empty. She briefly met Kurt’s eyes. “I’m sorry,” he muttered.

There was a lump in her throat and a burning in her chest. It can't be. She closed her eyes and pushed the tears back as she gripped Emmi's shirt.

“It’s hard for everyone, I know,” she sighed. “Let’s all find our time to grieve and heal.”

“Can we leave, then?” Alexey held Emmi’s hand.

Mrs. Fern gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but today is an important day. The school doesn’t allow students to leave until the event ends.”

The students expressed their disapproval. “Is the event more important?” Kurt asked.

The forty-six-year-old blonde sighed. “Yes, it is important. Mourning can wait. There will be a time for that. There should be.”

Alexey bit her tongue. She wanted to argue, but if the substitute teacher could not do anything about a school order, what more a mere student like her could?

Mrs. Fern took out a small remote control and pressed a button, cue for a beam projector to pop out from the ceiling. She walked toward the door and bit her lip. “And Emmi, come with me to the office.”

Emmi wiped her tears and pointed at herself. “What? Me?” she paused. “Why?”

“The school wants to talk with you about earlier.”

“What’s wrong?”

“We both know what she did, Alexey,” Mrs. Fern sighed again and smiled. The more she did, the fainter it got. "And I'll take her to the infirmary, as you asked."

Emmi stood up. “I didn’t mean it, I swear!”

Alexey took her hand. “Calm down,” she hugged her and whispered, “You have the pocket knife. Keep your hand close to it, no matter what. If they do something to you, do not hesitate to use it. If you find a way to get out of the school, leave without me.” she squeezed Emmi’s hands. “I promise to see you after.”

“Emmi? Let’s go.”

Emmi wiped her tears. “Promise me.”

Alexey linked her pinky finger with her best friend and watched her disappear out of the door.

“I hope to see you guys around,” Mrs. Fern said before closing the door.

The room was silent but not Alexey's mind. She bit her finger. The school is up to something.

A few seconds after, a steel plate slid over from the door frame, even windows, until there was no way for outdoor lights to enter. A variety of panic noises bounced the walls of the dark room.

Alexey was pushed to the back of the room as she stumbled over her seat. She yelped when someone stepped at her foot.

What a f*****g cruel day, made just for me.