Chapter 4: Troublemaker
"Don't just stand there, move!" Flame shouted at the students, ushering them to the safety of the second car park lot behind the school buildings. After a few seconds of watching the students flee away from the scene, Flame turned and studied at the situation around her. Only five students left Flame silently counted the number of people left on the once crowded soccer field. Flame raced to reach the five running students and to get them out of there. However, as she neared the last student, she saw the student running away from a fast-approaching, tiger-like monster. Unfortunately for the student, he tripped over his own foot and landed on his butt. He crawled backwards, trying to get away from the creature which was closing in on the gap between them. Oh no, you don't Flame grabbed a broken piece of a metal pole on the ground and ran towards the creature. She hit the creature, pushing it aside, just as it was about to put its front paws on the fallen student. Facing the fallen student, she shouted, "What are you sitting there for? Run! Go to the second car park lot now!"
The student quickly nodded his head and fled the scene. Flame watched the moving student for a second before resuming her battle with the creature. Gaining a spilt second break in her battle, Flame looked around the field quickly. Good, there is no one else here. Satisfied that her job had been fulfilled, she whacked the monster once more and ran. With the metal pole in hand, she struck, leapt and dodged every single creature that was blocking her way or trying to pounce on her. Once she was out of the mess of tiger-like creatures, Flame headed for the second car park lot.
Harmon huffed and puffed as he hurried his search for Flame. Spotting Flame shutting the entrance gate of the second car park, he dashed across the lot. Stopping in front of Flame, Harmon bended over and panted slightly. "Oh good,*pant pant*….I found you*pant pant*…Flame," Harmon said as he struggled to regain his breath.
Flame stared at him, surprised at Harmon's state. She immediately asked in a worried tone, "What's wrong, Harmon? You look like as if you ran across the whole of Singapore and back at top speed".
Still slightly bent over and panting, Harmon said in between pants, "Wendy…..*pant pant pant*…is missing…*pant pant*...can't find her anywhere...*pant pant*".
Flame frowned, slightly worried for her annoying classmate. Well, this changes things Flame looked up and observed the current situation. Argh, what to do? I want to know if there are any missing students but, I can't leave Wendy out there. Flame rubbed her head in frustration, trying to come up with a solution. She stood there silently, ranting her brain for possible solutions. Then, an idea popped up and Flame immediately seized it. Without a moment's hesitation, Flame told Harmon, "Harmon, go to every teacher to check if all their students are present. Ask Jamie for aid if needed. Once, the teacher is sure that everyone in the class is present, help the school leaders get them out of here".
Harmon nodded and was about to leave when he realised something. He faced Flame and asked, "And how exactly should I get them out of here? One of the school leaders announced that all the main entrances are blocked. What are you going to do about that?" He paused and tilted his head downwards, staring at her hands. "And why do you have a metal pole?"
Flame face-palmed and replied, "Tell them to leave through the side gate which connects the second car park lot to the main road. It's now free because the police cleared the creatures and the cars out. I'm going to look for Wendy. I'm sure that she is near here ". Just as Harmon was about to repeat his third question, Flame said, "I will tell you later. Now go!" Once Harmon left, Flame turned around, went through the side entrance and the school's back garden gate, and headed back inside the half-destroyed school building. Pushing her way through the fleeing crowd, Flame wondered Where the heck are you, Wendy?! You stupid idiot! This is a bad timing to be missing or wander up to one of the upper levels like usual.. Stopping her immediate thinking trail, her eyes wandered to the school's spiral staircase. No way, you couldn't have. Not even you are that dumb, Wendy Flame thought as she raced across the school's lobby and climbed the spiral staircase.
Upon arriving on the second floor, Flame spotted Wendy just outside the school library, surrounded by the small cat-like creatures. Flame sighed and slapped her forehead with her free hand. Well congratulations Wendy, you are stupider than I originally thought. Flame took a deep breath and ran towards the crow of monsters. Since, the monsters were too focused on their prey, Flame easily leapt onto their backs, making her way towards Wendy. Landing between Wendy and the barricade of monsters, Flame held her pole up in a defence position. Flame looked over her shoulder and asked, "You okay, Wendy?" Receiving a nod, Flame faced the monster with her back towards Wendy. "By the way," Flame commented, "Stay on the first floor next time there is an emergency, alright. It is a much better choice in these kinds of situations".
With Flame's back facing her, Wendy smirked and said, "You are always so reliable, Flame. However…" Wendy began to grin in an evil manner. "It is such a pity that you are so naïve too".
"Huh?" Flame said in confusion. Suddenly, Wendy moved in front of Flame and shoved her towards a pillar near the school library. Landing on the pillar hard, Flame hit her head, letting out a yelp of pain. With her mind fading into a mist of unconsciousness, Flame fell forward and landed in front of the barricade of creatures. The creatures crept in closer to Flame as Wendy pressed herself against a wall and got through the crowd of monsters. With the creatures preoccupied with their new target, Wendy steadily walked towards the spiral staircase. Stopping at the entrance of the spiral staircase, Wendy looked back and grinned at the sight of her worst rival being surrounded by the creatures. "See you later Flame, if you ever get out of this alive". Wendy laughed evilly and made her escape, leaving her unconscious rival behind.
"One, two, three," Dan counted. Once he finished counting, he nodded at the teacher-in-charge and ran towards Jamie. Jaime was urging the students to hurry when he noticed Dan approaching him. Jamie paused, faced Dan and asked "Is any of the secondary two classes missing any students?"
"Dan shook his head and said, "The secondary two classes are leaving right now. How about your side?" Jamie gestured at the leaving crowd of students in reply. Seeing that Dan was not getting his gesture, he said, "All the secondary four students were accounted for and are now currently leaving". Dan finally understood Jamie's gesture, made an expression of enlightenment and gently placed his fist into his left hand. Jamie sighed and said, "Well, that's the secondary ones, twos and fours done. Now, all that's left is the secondary three students which remind me". Jamie looked at the crowded car park and asked, "Is Flame and Wendy back?"
Dan shrugged and replied, "I don't know, man." He crossed his arms behind his head and commented, "She's taking a pretty long time". Jamie nodded his agreement, worried about his female friend. The two pals stared at the school building, wondering about their missing friend. Then, they heard Chet's voice, calling for them. They simultaneously turned and looked at Chet who stopped behind them and was now panting. Jamie then asked, "What's wrong, Chet?"
Chet slowly regained his breathing and stood up from his bending position. He looked at Jamie and Dan straight in the eye and spoke, "This is bad, five of the primary five students are missing!" Jamie and Dan stood there in shock. After a few minutes had passed, Jamie looked over his shoulder and uttered, "So, seven students are missing, huh?"
"Hold on," Dan said, raising both his hands and made a halting gesture with them. He then began stating, "Look. We don't know for sure if Flame is still missing or not. Who knows? She may be back here with Wendy". Dan looked at Chet and Jamie and grinned, then asked, "Right?" Chet just shrugged while Jamie continued staring at the school building. Despite his own reassurance, Dan himself was filled with worry inside for his childhood friend. No, I must think that. Dan shook his head and glazed at the school building. She is still alive. I have to believe that. I must believe that. Looking back at his friends, Dan suggested hopefully, "Let's wait for Harmon to report back to us, kay? He will tell us that Flame is safe for sure".
Just then, Harmon came running over, shouting, "Bad news! Flame and Wendy are still missing!"
Chet and Jamie glared at Dan who chuckled indignantly. "However," Harmon stated, "There is good news".
"So, what's the good news?" Chet asked.
"Good news is that four of the primary five students came back," Harmon reported.
Jamie closed his eyes and stated, "So, there are three students who are still missing". Jamie paused for a few moments before adding quietly, "Including Flame". The group was quiet after those words came out of Jamie's mouth. Each of them was praying for their female friend, Flame's safety. Then suddenly, Wendy popped up beside them and said while wiping her forehead, "Whew, it feels good to be out of there alive".
The four pal's eyes widened at the sight of her standing alone. Immediately, they crowded around her, asking questions about Flame's whereabouts. Looking flustered, Wendy held her hands up, trying to regaining her personal space from the four friends. With a confused and panicked look on her face, Wendy asked, "What are you guys talking about and why are you guys asking me about Flame's whereabouts? How would I know where she is?"
Jamie signalled to the other three pals to give Wendy some room. Once, the four pals took some steps back, Jamie told her, "She went looking for you".
Wendy gave them a confused, blank look. "Looking for me? Why?" she asked.
Before Jamie could explain anything, Dan cut in, saying, "Never mind that. Did you see her?"
The four pals held their breaths in anticipation for Wendy's answer. Unfortunately, they were disappointed when Wendy shook her head and replied, "Nope, sorry. Didn't see her".
"Oh no!" Harmon said in a soft tone, paling slightly.
"Shit!" Chet cried out.
"We need to go in after her!" Dan shouted, preparing to charge into the school building. He just started running towards the building when someone pushed him back. Dan landed on his butt hard. Slowly getting up, Dan tilted his head up and saw Jamie standing in his way. Getting frustrated and confused at Jamie's actions, Dan immediately stood up and glared at Jamie. He then growled, "What the heck do you think you're doing, Jamie?" Dan started rushing towards the school building, only to be held back by Jamie's arm. Dan then shouted angrily, "Let me go, Jamie! Flame is still in that damn building!"
"Which is exactly why I am trying to stop you," Jamie shot back. Fighting against Dan's struggles, he continued his explanation, "Flame wouldn't want us to go there. She would want us to stay here, safe and sound and to help out with what we can while waiting for her safe return".
"But, she is our friend!" Chet snapped, "And what if she doesn't make it back in time, huh?!" Harmon nodded his agreement.
Still fighting against Dan's struggles, Jamie looked at Chet and Harmon. He then said, "Exactly. She is our friend. Meaning we know how strong she is. That is why we need to wait for her".
"But…..but, still!" Chet protested.
Jamie remained quiet for a moment, thinking deeply as he continued to resist Dan's struggles. He then sighed and said suddenly, "One hour and a half".
"Huh?" Dan, Harmon and Chet exclaimed at the same time. They stared at Jamie, confused. They were so confused by Jamie's comment that even Dan stopped struggling against Jamie's hold. Once he received their puzzled looks, Jamie explained, "One hour and a half to wait for Flame to get back. Then we enter the school building".
"One," Dan voiced out.
Jamie stared at him and asked, "What?"
"One," Dan repeated. "One hour to wait for Flame's return, then we go in".
Seeing that the others agreed with Dan's statement, Jamie sighed and said, "Very well. One hour, then we go in". He then released his hold on Dan, letting him drop to the floor. Dan, who was currently kneeling on the ground, punched the floor in anger and frustration at the situation. Harmon went up to him and put his hand on Dan's shoulder, silently giving him his support. Chet just remained in his position, clenching his fists with the same amount of frustration as Dan. Jamie on the other hand, just turned his back on them and stared intently at the school building. None of them wanted to imagine what was happening to their friend who was still inside the collapsing building while they waited outside in safety. The four pals were so preoccupied with their worries for their friend that they did not even notice Wendy giggling darkly to herself, feeling very pleased about her proud triumph over the missing Flame.
Author's note
Unfortunately, it seems that my chapters are still very short. I really have to work on the length of my chapters and on the flow of my story as well...
