In the Midst of Terror

By Maxi France

Part 1

It was a typical autumn day in the outskirts of Boston, Massachusetts; people were walking their dogs on suburban streets, beginning lengthy rides to the inner city, and talking on their cell phones. The latter is what everyone does these days, but I knew that was soon to change. Where was I, you might've wondered? I was slouching down on one of those squeaky, Milton chairs, listening to Professor Blackman ramble about the Korean War. With my best friend to my left, Mia, and my twin brother, who was glancing at something in the room, Darren, near my right, I couldn't have my experience here be more intimate. It always feels like I'm not working my butt off for a bachelor's, like I'm not juggling two other jobs at the same time, like I'm not helping my mom pay for chemo. It's going to be the end of the world for me if Blackman denies me a pass for this class. I decided to pay attention to him, even with the ruckus around me.

"I'm not reminding any of you. Take notes on this. Junior year, guys. Come on!" Professor Blackman spouted at us. People weren't really doing what they were supposed to do, completely oblivious to the fact that he might call on one of us to recite the timeline of events that happened during the war. I've been in enough classes to know that's what he's gonna do next.

"So, let's recap," he said, "The Korean War was started when North Korean Communist Army invaded non-Communist South Korea. Eventually, the great U.S.A. came to South Korea's aid. North Korea was originally supported by the Soviet Union..."

I looked at the clock. Twelve on the dot.

"But that's a different story. More on that later. See you tomorrow, and remember, homework is to study for the mid-term!" he continued.

Part 2

I got up from my rickety seat and walked to the door to meet up with Darren, until something caught my eye, from the window. Curious, I speed-walked over there, away from the door. It was a person. Not a regular person, but a person... that was very unusual. The two things that were unusual were, that it moved very fast, and it wore ragged clothing. It literally ran away from the window, but faster than running. I saw it running faster than the speed of light, for just a split second. The ragged clothing was absurd, too. I don't know what's up with that. I thought I was crazy.

"Earth to Kiara?" Mia caught me in the trance. I thought she had already gone to the mall. That sounds like something she'd do.

"Come on, Kiara! Didn't you promise me we could get those new shoes at Hopkinton?"

"Oh, I'm really sorry, girl, but I can't go today," I said, which was true. My mom's appointment was today.

"What? But you promised!" she exclaimed, loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.

"I would've gone with you if I could... I'm sorry," I replied.

"Whatever, it's fine. I'll see you around," she waved.

"Bye," I replied. Everyone was gone and already out of the classroom, including Darren. He probably went home because he got tired of waiting, which was like him. I checked my watch to see how long I stared at that weird human-thing. Oh, no. I was late for my date with Dr. Sharman. I practically rushed out of that class and ran outside on the campus, trying to get to my car. I stepped into the Lexus, and I started driving towards my house to pick up my mom to go to the doctor's. My house was pretty far away from campus, but Milton's a pretty good school anyways, so why not? As soon as I reached the highway, I could not believe my eyes. I saw that exact strange creature that I had seen back at class. But only this time, it was on the road! I had no choice but to stop the car, because it was right there in front of me! Acting fast is one of my strong suits, for sure. Oh, my God. I heard a clunk sound, which was coming from the back of the car. I got out of my car to check it out. I saw about three other vehicles lined up at the butt of my car, and people got out of them. The cars crashed! Everyone got out of them, and, to add insult to injury, I saw more. I saw even more of those strange-looking things popping up from the woods, and they were going towards us. Running.