The Poisoning

The world had devolved into an inhospitable realm, an unrecognizable tapestry of human existence, Alex mused as he observed snippets of the desperate human condition. His right hand gripped a cold, metallic rod, an anchor amidst the jostling chaos of the jeepney's path. Even behind their masks, the relentless grasp of pollution clung to both him and his fellow citizens, tainting the very air they breathed. The relentless onslaught of human greed had left its indelible mark, casting a shadow over their once-vibrant world.

"Change," Alex muttered, his voice laced with irony. "What a farce," he added.

Gazing out at the passing landscape, all he saw were faces etched with suffering and despair. A pall of white ash hung in the air, obscuring the vision of those who dared to look beyond. Horns blared, and the cacophonous roar of vehicular engines assaulted the ears, each note a bitter indictment of their shared existence.

As the jeepney took an abrupt turn, Alex knew he was nearing his destination. Enrolling in school should have been the last thing on his mind if he truly aimed to change the world. Yet, in this unforgiving reality, adhering to society's prescribed path was the only means to challenge it effectively.

The clinking of coins signaled their arrival, prompting passengers to gather their belongings. Alex swiftly grabbed his things, hastening toward the vehicle's exit, where the imposing façade of his university loomed.

A prestigious institution, by all accounts, though in Alex's eyes, it appeared as little more than an assemblage of stones, haphazardly stacked to create an imposing façade—a symbol of society's division into two distinct paths: one that fostered innovation and creation and another that embraced destruction. He marched toward the university's entrance, where a familiar face awaited, waving near the school gates.

"Alex!" Ivan called out, his hand raised in greeting, his eyes locked onto Alex's figure.

A genuine smile graced Alex's face as he waved back, hastening to join his friend. "Hey," he greeted warmly.

"Have you completed the assignment?" Ivan inquired, the entry device in his hand granting them access to the premises—a new security measure implemented by the university.

"Yeah," Alex replied, mimicking Ivan's actions.

With their entrance secured, they traversed the university grounds, arriving at their designated building. Inside the classroom, they found their peers engrossed in their own pursuits, a typical scene in the absence of a teacher.

Reserving an empty seat, Alex placed his belongings on the desk and settled in to wait for the class to begin. Laughter and chatter filled the air as he engaged with his friends. In this fleeting moment, Alex realized that without the camaraderie of his friends, the prospect of school would be an unbearable one.

Minutes passed, and class finally commenced with the arrival of a classmate who announced, "Ma'am's here!" The resounding rush of footsteps echoed within the classroom as students swiftly took their seats. Their plastic and leather-clad shoes amplified their noise, a testament to their preparedness.

The familiar figure of their teacher entered the classroom, settling at her desk with pen and paper to take attendance. "Present," echoed throughout the room as names were called, followed by a chorus of responses to the teacher's cheerful greeting.

Alex had a close relationship with his teacher, but today he observed an unsettling change. Her eyes bore the marks of sleepless nights, and her demeanor lacked its customary vivacity. A once youthful and amiable science teacher now appeared drained of life, her actions devoid of joy.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" Darline inquired, mirroring the concern shared by the entire class.

To their astonishment, their teacher's composure crumbled, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, everyone. Vita in Morte Sumus," she uttered before the lights flickered, and the classroom's doors and windows were sealed by descending shutters. In an instant, the world shifted from light to darkness, punctuated by startled screams.

"What's happening?!" the class cried out, a hissing sound filling the air.

"Poison!" Cindy exclaimed, her words a stark warning not to inhale the ominous gas as Cherry, her seatmate, succumbed to an accidental inhalation.

Chaos reigned as panicked footsteps resounded through the classroom. With darkness shrouding their vision, Alex's classmates' panicked voices made it challenging to pinpoint the source of the disturbance. "Use your cellphone flashlights! Cover your noses!" Alex urged, striving to restore order. In response, his classmates activated their cellphone flashlights, illuminating every corner of the classroom.

"Over there!" Jessie pointed out, his trembling finger indicating the ceiling.

A series of large black tubes dangled ominously from above, releasing toxic gas with alarming speed.

"And here!" Kent shouted, indicating a corner of the room. Their flashlight beams revealed additional tubes concealed among the classroom's four corners and one suspended from the ceiling. The back corner, where Cherry had inhaled the deadly toxin, was now a point of focus.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" one of Alex's classmates screamed, drawing their attention to an unconscious Lynne sprawled on the floor.

"We're going to die!" Emily wailed, tears streaming down her face.

Alex's mind raced as he considered their dire predicament. The shutters blocked their exits, and with each breath, they inched closer to suffocation. "There's no way out," he thought, despair settling in.

Simultaneously, he and his fellow students attempted to dismantle the rolling shutters that imprisoned them. The boys in particular exerted themselves, but their efforts proved futile against the sturdy, metallic barricade. Hope dwindled with each passing second as oxygen grew scarce. Inexorably, one by one, Alex's classmates succumbed, their eyes reddening with pain and sadness. They faced a cruel and unexpected death.

Alex couldn't accept such a fate. Gazing at his friends, who clung to one another, he couldn't bring himself to say goodbye. Inhaling the gas one last time, he spoke his final words of farewell. "Someday, I'm sure we'll meet again," he assured them, his voice calm and resolute.

Exposed to the toxic gas, his vision blurred and his lungs fought desperately for air. The poison penetrated his body, rendering every breath agonizing. One by one, his friends succumbed, yet they remained standing, supporting one another to stave off their physical collapse. Alex struggled to breathe but found it increasingly difficult. Dying in this manner was unacceptable.

"Someday, I'll have my chance," he thought, determination in his heart. As his breaths grew labored, he looked at his friends one last time. Then, the world faded to black.