Michael sat bolt upright, gasping for air. How, why, a dream?
He looked around, and his heart sank. He appeared to be in a school infirmary, with absolutely no recollection of how he'd ended up there.
Aw great, he moaned to himself. Am I sick? Because that was definitely a dream, that girl… this is just an insane dream-
He put his hand down by the side of his bed to get up, and felt something squelch beneath his palm. He glanced down casually.
Michael stumbled away gagging. His shirt from last night lay curled on the bed side table, drenched in blood.
The door flew open, a figure ducking in through the frame.
The boy straightened, leering at Mike as he appraised him. He twirled a terrifying instrument, some medieval form of axe that Mike would later learn was a halberd.
"So, you're the punk that offended Fred," the boy spat, a demonic grin planted at his shivering opponent.
Michael backed away, mind reaching limit of incomprehension. "Hey, easy man…"
The youth roared, raising the glistening blade over his head. "You idiot! Prepare to suffer for defiling the name of my beloved! RAAAAAAGH! DIE-DIE-DIE-DIE-DIE-DIE a hundred times!"
The maniac slowed, gasping. "Next time, remember to fear my wrath, peasant," he sneered, and left.
The clock on the wall ticked on.
Michael sat bolt upright, gasping for air. How, why, a dream? But this time, it only took a second for him scramble to his feet. The infirmary floor all around where he'd fallen was thick with left over blood, tracks of the overzealous avenger.
Mike gasped as the memory hit him. His hands flew to his chest, feeling all over as the memory of the strikes returned. He frowned, dumbfounded. His shirt had been torn to ribbons, but his chest… was perfect, not even a scar.
What on earth was going on. Where was he? Maybe I'm dreaming, Mike thought, relief bubbling up at the mention. The emotion quickly withered. No, but I've already died. And somehow, I remember that you're supposed to wake up when you die.
Hell, maybe? He glanced around the infirmary, and grimaced. Somehow, he doubted that Hell had motivational posters of kittens on the walls. Maybe I'm in heaven- no, no I guess not. Not when the resident angel uses me aa a blade sharpener.
Mike collapsed onto the floor. Valhalla, maybe? He felt his chin, and slumped in disappointment. But he didn't have a beard. He was sure that was a requirement.
For a moment, Mike could feel despair starting to take hold, and he hastily pushed it back down. No need crawl into a ball, just because my memory is full of holes and I don't know what's happening. Mike hopped up. Time to go exploring.
The exceedingly confused individual stumbled out of the infirmary and into the open school yard. The afternoon sun shone against him as his much-damaged shirt whipped in the gentle breezes.
He looked around. For a moment, amazement froze him in place. This was the largest school he'd ever seen. Tennis courts, baseball field, track… he shrugged his shoulders and gazed around, taking it in. There were building sprawled all around him, some massive and towering, others little more than sheds. He could make out the shape of a gymnasium, and what looked like dormitories.
A river wound along the side of the compound, and a ring of trees could be seen peeking out on the other side. Trees appeared to encircle the entire campus, and beyond them, lay mist.
"If this is a school, where is everybody?" Mike muttered to himself, making a game effort to mask his worry with practicalities. "Not even a teacher… Well, if that's the administrative office, then I can probably find someone there."
He entered, and quickly found what he was looking for.
Ah, the principal's office. He'll know what this place is.
He heard a bell ring outside on the campus, and the sound of great troops of people starting to switch classes.
Michael casually placed his hand on the door knob. There was a click.
He looked around, curious. His eyes bugged out of his head as a panel in the ceiling quickly slid back, and a gigantic hammer swung out.
With a shatter of glass, his crushed body was sent flying out the hallway's window.