--- Chapter Two ---
Only the janitors heard his pitiful cry. It was then that they knew something terrible had happened. Never in all thirty years of Neller's career had they heard something so terrifying, so dreadful that it could only mean one of several things.
1. Vandalism
2. Heart Attack
3. Murder
4. Ants
The only sound echoing through the school was the beeping of walkie-talkies as the janitors called one another, directing everyone in the school to the source of the cry — the band room lounge.
The silence was deafening inside the lounge. Mr. Neller's occasional gasp or choke was the only soft, hushed sound in a room full of so little life. Neller didn't even bother to look up when the door clicked open. He just knelt down next to the body, confused and hurt. It was then that a scream pierced the air. It was then that the world knew. It was then that Veterson jerked awake from a deep sleep.
"What happened to you, Veterson?!" Neller cried out in both relief and horror. Relieved that his longtime friend and co-director was, although battered and slightly bloody, very much alive. Horrified at the prospect of something, someone in the school building, who could commit such a terrible act.
Veterson shook his head, then instantly regretted it as a throbbing headache started up. "I… I…" he mumbled, barely coherent.
"You what?" The small group of teachers and other staff looked up to see Mr. Gutchinson, the principal, stride toward the lounge. As he approached, even this intimidating man had to suck in a sharp breath upon seeing Veterson. Immediately, his first response was one of responsibility to his school: "Alert the police. There won't be school today."
Suddenly, Veterson was aware of something, still clenched in a death grip in his right hand. Looking down, he realized that he was grasping a metal cleaning rod.
"That's right," he mumbled aloud, so softly that the teachers had to lean closer to hear. "I-I picked this up, right after I heard the noise…"
"Noise? What noise?" Neller asked. "When was this?"
"Last night. I came back to do some more work," Veterson explained quietly. "Then I heard someone outside, and I went out to investigate…"
"Who was it?"
Veterson sighed. "I don't remember." The teachers around him also sighed in despair.
"Put the band room on lockdown," Neller instructed, keeping his head despite the situation. "Whoever did this may still be lurking around."
"Wait…" Veterson said slowly. "I… remember something else…"
"Hm?"
"…it was… a student, who attacked me…"