A/N: Thank you for the reviews ive been waiting to get some criticism before making this one. Figuring that I should wait just in case I needed to change my writing style drastically.
Anyways I rather enjoyed making this chapter because Ben came to existence in it. It was a random occurrence; I hadn't planned to have him in there but I immediately found myself attached to him and I hope you like him too.
Chapter 4: A Leader Emerges
(April 4th --- 0 Days until Outbreak)
Jacen stood on a table overlooking the crowd. He estimated that one fourth of the school's population were crowded into the cafeteria, holding everything from paper cutters like his own, to baseball bats. They where composed of people of all types, boys and girls, geeks and jocks, young and old; every group in the school had at least a few people present, including a number of teachers. Maybe we can really do this.
Twelve noon, he noted mentally as he glanced up at the clock, it's been an hour; if they aren't here yet than they probably aren't coming. Jacen looked down at a small freshman with green eyes and blond surfer hair who he had given a set of keys and nodded. The boy disappeared into the crowd, rushing off to lock the doors as Jacen had told him to be ready to do. The boy, named Ben, had been the first one to arrive, clinging to a plunger. Upon his arrival he had become immediately enthralled by the sight of Jacen in his blood stained shark suit and hefting a paper cutter. The kid had stuck to Jacen like glue ever since.
The suit had that effect on a lot of people; it was like people saw him in it and just assumed he was running things. Do they even know the guy in the suit is the same person who had called them here? thought Jacen dryly.
Seeing a plunger rise into the air in the back of the room, Jacen began. "Everyone!" he boomed, trying to carry his voice across the whole cafeteria, "I have had the doors locked so that we are not attacked while we organize, so do not be alarmed… in fact you should probably relax, the task we are about to embark on will require all of you at your very best, which will not be possible if you remain on your toes constantly."
Some did as he said, but most didn't. "The plan is as follows; we have divided the school into grids. You will all be divided into groups of five and most groups will be assigned a grid in an area of one of the three inter-connected buildings that make up the school. Your group will go to your grid and search it systematically, killing any creatures you find along the way. Remember that this is our new home until we can take back the whole campus, so anything you overlook may end up killing us all," Jacen paused and inhaled deeply, "Once you have secured your grid you are to send a runner back here to update us on our overall progress while the other four guard the area in case one walks in from another grid."
Jacen stopped and waited a moment for the information to sink in before continuing, "A few groups will be assigned the task of going from door to door barricading it so that no more creatures enter, while still others will serve as fillers; going wherever they are needed. Now, each group must have at least one senior and at least one freshman, in addition I want no all girl or all boy groups… OK, once you group up, have a representative come up to me and get your assignment."
He took a seat and watched as the room erupted into noise and frantic movement. Ben appeared to Jacen's left and saluted, plunger resting against his shoulder, "Sir! I have finished the task given to me…" The young boy paused hesitantly before continuing, "umm… Sir?"
"What's up Ben?" Jacen asked, amused at being called 'sir'.
Ben shifted his weight and gulped nervously, while still holding the salute, "Sir, I would like to join your squad!"
The kid has spunk, he thought approvingly, then grinned for the first time since the attack, "Permission granted, welcome aboard." Ben beamed, almost glowing with pride. "Oh and you can stop saluting me now," Jacen added, starting to feel attached to the kid.
Ben took a seat next to him, "So Sir, what is going to be our assignment?"
"Half of the second floor in C-building; we have the side with the library."
Thirty minutes later the nineteenth representative went running off to inform her group. That will make mine group twenty, he noted, once I assemble it. Jacen stood up and addressed the crowd, "Anyone who is not currently in a group please come forward," he yelled.
Five people made their way through the crowd, they consisting of a senior boy, three freshmen; one boy and two girls, and a teacher. The teacher was a man named Mr. Spada, who taught metal shop. He was a big guy with graying hair and was carrying a crude dagger. Where the hell did he get that? Jacen asked himself as he approached the group.
Jacen pointed at the three freshmen first. "You three; you're with me and Ben over there," he said before walking over to Mr. Spada, "Could you stay behind and coordinate the search?" The man grimaced, but nodded. Then turning towards the senior, Jacen added firmly, "You will serve as Mr. Spada's guard."
"Sure," the senior said, unsure whether he was disappointed or relieved.
Jacen began to turn away when a hand clamped on his shoulder and spun him around. "Here," The teacher said as he handed Jacen the dagger, "You need this more than I do."
Accepting the dagger graciously, Jacen turned and walked up to the Ben who sat cradling his plunger in his arms. Jacen dropped the paper cutter on the table, using his free hand to pull the plunger out of Ben's grip, "Use my paper cutter; it served me well, may it now do the same for you."
Ben leaned over and picked up the weapon reverently. "Thank you, it is an honor," Ben said in a much too serious tone.
Jacen patted the kid on the head, ruffling his hair, "No problem. Now could you please go around and unlock the doors; it is time." Ben ran off into the crowd cradling his new weapon in both arms. That boy isn't going to be that innocent after today, he thought sadly, and the world will be a worse place for it.
Five minutes later Ben returned and gave him the thumbs up. Jacen climbed up on the table; his armor clanking heavily in the process. Alerted by the sound of his armor, the crows quieted, waiting expectantly for Jacen to speak. "Today we face Demons too horrible to occupy the deepest bowls of Hell. These monsters are evil, ruthless, and determined to the point of single mindedness. They will continue to peruse you until you kill them or they kill you…" he began solemnly, "But take heart, they can be killed. Although they can continue to function after taking extensive damage to the body, they cannot survive a broken neck or a crushing blow to the head. So when you are out there combating the beings who threaten our survival, remember… AIM FOR THE HEAD!"
"AIM FOR THE HEAD!" the crowd echoed as they thrust their weapons into the air in a frenzy of rage and inspiration.
"Now get out there and kill some Zombies!"