Chapter 54: Back to Safety
The long, deserted corridor on the second floor echoed with the pounding footsteps of four desperate survivors racing for their lives.
Every footfall slammed against the tiled floor, reverberating through the silent hallway.
Behind them...
The locked classroom doors shook violently as the trapped zombies hurled themselves against them without mercy.
BANG!!
THUD!!
GRAAAARRRHHH!!
The deafening crashes and monstrous growls merged into a terrifying symphony of chaos.
Yet despite those horrifying sounds...
Not a single one of them dared to look back.
Their eyes were fixed on only one destination—
The broadcasting room.
The only safe haven they had left.
At that very moment, the powerful song once again thundered through the school's loudspeakers.
"Rise again—let the fire burn bright! Through the darkness we will fight!"
It felt as though the lyrics themselves were pouring fresh strength into their exhausted legs.
A faint smile appeared on Ms. Selena's face despite the danger surrounding them.
"Thank you... Yaram," she whispered silently in her heart.
By restarting the music at the perfect moment, he had saved all of their lives.
But...
Mr. Samit looked completely different.
Only moments ago, he had been dancing carefree to the music.
Now...
His face had turned pale with terror.
His breathing was ragged.
His heartbeat pounded wildly in his ears.
As he ran, he couldn't stop glancing over his shoulder, convinced that a zombie was only inches away from grabbing him.
Watching his terrified expression, Ms. Selena couldn't help smiling.
Still running, she called out teasingly,
"Mr. Samit!"
"So..."
"Still in the mood for dancing?"
Jackson couldn't suppress a small grin.
Mary quickly bit her lip, trying desperately not to laugh.
Mr. Samit answered between heavy breaths,
"After today..."
"...if I ever dance to music again..."
"...then my name isn't Samit!"
Despite their exhaustion...
Despite the danger...
A ripple of laughter spread across the group.
Even in the middle of a nightmare...
Their humanity had survived.
As they continued sprinting, Jackson suddenly noticed Mary's pace becoming unsteady.
She stumbled slightly.
Without hesitation, he reached out and firmly caught her hand.
"Don't panic..."
he said gently.
"I'm here."
Mary looked at him for a brief second.
Fear still filled her eyes.
But the warmth and firmness of Jackson's grip gave her the courage she desperately needed.
She silently nodded.
Still holding hands, they continued running side by side.
Only moments later...
The four survivors finally reached the broadcasting room.
Even before they arrived, Jun and Lena were already standing on either side of the doorway, prepared for their return.
"Hurry!"
Jun shouted anxiously.
Mr. Samit rushed inside first.
Ms. Selena followed immediately behind him.
Jackson entered next...
With Mary right beside him.
"Close the door!"
Ms. Selena's commanding voice rang through the room.
BANG!
Jun and Lena slammed the heavy door shut with all their strength.
Click!
The lock snapped into place.
Without wasting another second, both of them grabbed the heavy sofa and dragged it back across the floor until it blocked the entrance once again.
Lena instinctively tightened both hands against the sofa, refusing to let it move even an inch.
Jun leaned his entire weight into it as well, making sure the barricade remained secure.
Meanwhile...
Yaram immediately turned back toward the sound control panel.
His fingers flew across the switches one final time.
The closing verse of the song echoed through the school.
"Be kind to each other, don't let fear win..."
One by one...
He shut down every audio channel.
Then...
He flipped the final switch.
"Our hearts will still be shining there..."
The final lyric drifted through the empty corridors...
Then...
Silence.
Complete silence settled over the school once again.
Yaram slowly removed his headphones and released a long, exhausted breath.
"It's done..."
he said tiredly.
"All the loudspeakers have been successfully disconnected."
For several moments...
The only sounds inside the broadcasting room were everyone's heavy breathing.
Then suddenly...
Jun looked at Mr. Samit.
His hair was a complete mess.
His clothes were soaked with sweat.
One hand rested on his chest as he struggled to catch his breath.
Jun bit his lip, trying not to laugh.
He failed.
"Sir..."
he asked with a mischievous grin,
"How was the dance practice?"
Jackson burst into laughter.
Mary immediately turned her face away, unable to hide her own smile.
Even Ms. Selena couldn't stop herself from laughing.
For the first time since the nightmare had begun...
The broadcasting room filled with genuine laughter.
Mr. Samit glared at everyone before crossing his arms with exaggerated annoyance.
"Go ahead..."
"Laugh all you want."
Then he pointed dramatically at Jun.
"But remember this..."
"If I survive today..."
"...you're going to be the very first person I deal with!"
Jun instantly raised both hands in surrender.
"Sir!"
"I was only trying to lighten the mood."
Another wave of laughter swept across the room.
For one precious moment...
Fear lost its grip.
Outside...
Death still roamed the school.
The zombies continued wandering through the bloodstained corridors.
But inside that small broadcasting room...
Hope was still alive.
Courage was still alive.
And above all...
Their faith in one another remained unbroken.