The classroom was filled with its usual constant hum: chairs scraping lightly against the floor, pages being turned, the repetitive click of a pen somewhere in the back. The afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows, creating angled beams of light that sliced through the air, illuminating dust particles drifting slowly.
Davincci sat beside Elloysa, his notebook open in front of him, but his attention far from the lesson. He absentmindedly scribbled in the corner of the page, crooked lines that didn't form anything specific.
— Have you noticed — Elloysa whispered, leaning slightly toward him — that this class feels longer when we know we're getting out early?
Davincci gave a half-smile.
— It's like the clock goes on strike.
She laughed softly, covering her mouth with her hand to avoid drawing the teacher's attention.
— Seriously, when I was a kid I thought adults exaggerated when they said time goes by fast. Now it feels like it slows down just to mess with us.
— Welcome to life — Davincci replied in the same low tone. — Pretty soon we'll be complaining about bills.
Elloysa made an exaggerated grimace.
— Ugh, don't ruin my afternoon.
They exchanged a quick smile, the kind that only happens when two people are comfortable with each other. For a few seconds, school felt like just… school.
Then the classroom door opened.
The sharp sound of the handle turning cut through the room, and the conversations faded almost automatically. The principal walked in, accompanied by a coordinator. His expression was serious, unlike the calm demeanor he usually maintained.
— Good afternoon, class — he said firmly.
The teacher stopped mid-explanation and nodded, stepping slightly away from the board.
— Good afternoon — the class replied in unison, but without much conviction.
The principal adjusted his glasses and took a deep breath before continuing.
— Attention, please. I'll be brief. For safety reasons, today's classes will end early. Everyone will be dismissed within the next few minutes.
A murmur spread instantly through the room.
— Safety?
— What do you mean?
— Is there still a test tomorrow?
The principal raised his hand, asking for silence.
— We've received instructions to reduce people's movement during the evening hours. The government will be taking preventive measures due to recent disappearances in the city. There's no need for panic, but it's important that everyone goes straight home.
The word disappearances hung in the air.
Davincci felt his stomach tighten slightly.
He looked around and saw classmates whispering, some laughing nervously, others wearing confused expressions. For many of them, it still felt too distant to be real.
— More information will be sent to your guardians — the principal continued. — For now, organize your belongings and wait for dismissal.
He left the room as quickly as he had entered.
The silence lasted a few seconds… until it exploded into overlapping conversations.
— Did you see that?
— It's probably an exaggeration.
— My mom mentioned some disappearances in her neighborhood…
Davincci stayed quiet, staring at the desk in front of him. The scribble in his notebook now looked like a tangled mess, almost aggressive.
Elloysa noticed.
— Hey… — she whispered, lightly touching his arm. — Are you okay?
He blinked a few times, as if coming back to the present.
— I am… — he said, but his voice came out weak. — It's just… things are getting more serious, right?
Elloysa bit her lower lip, thoughtful.
— Yeah. Before, it was just distant news. Now they're sending us home early.
— And when the school starts worrying… — Davincci added. — It's not something small.
She nodded slowly, unsure what to say.
The bell rang a few minutes later, and students began standing up, grabbing backpacks and talking animatedly, trying to turn concern into excitement over leaving early.
Davincci slung his backpack over his shoulders, but the feeling of relief never came.
In the hallway, the mood was strange: a mix of relief and unease. Teachers instructed students to go straight home, while some were already making plans to enjoy the "unexpected break."
Elloysa walked beside Davincci, lightly kicking the floor.
— So… — she began, breaking the silence. — Want to stay over at my place again today?
He looked at her, surprised for a second.
— Stay… tonight?
— Yeah. We play something, watch some random junk on TV… — she shrugged. — I think it's better than each of us being alone.
Davincci thought for a few seconds.
— I'm in… — he said. — But I'd have to stay the night.
Elloysa stopped walking and stared at him.
— What do you mean?
— My dad's getting home late today — he explained. — And… with everything that's going on… it doesn't seem like a good idea for me to go back home at night.
She studied his face for a moment, then nodded.
— Okay. Stay. No problem.
— Seriously?
— Seriously — she replied with a small smile. — At least we worry together.
They walked out through the school gate, now under the softer light of the afternoon. The movement on the streets was lighter than usual, as if the city were beginning to shut down early.
As they walked side by side toward Elloysa's house, Davincci glanced back at the school building, feeling a strange tightness in his chest.
It was too early to feel that kind of fear.
But something told him this would be only the first of many decisions made not out of choice…
but out of survival.
The street was strangely quiet.
Davincci and Elloysa walked side by side along the sidewalk, the sound of their footsteps echoing louder than it should have in the late afternoon. Some houses already had their windows shut, curtains drawn far too early. The sky was beginning to take on orange tones, signaling that night wouldn't be long.
— Have you noticed — Elloysa said, breaking the silence — that when we walk like this, without rushing, the world feels… different?
— Different how? — Davincci asked.
— Kind of empty. Like everyone decided to disappear at the same time.
He frowned slightly.
— Great choice of words… — he replied, half-ironically.
She gave an awkward smile.
— Sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound creepy.
Davincci took a deep breath.
— Before we go to your place… — he said. — Can we stop by my house real quick?
— Sure. Why?
— To grab some stuff. Clothes, toothbrush… — he made a vague gesture. — Since I'm sleeping over.
— Oh, right. Makes sense.
They changed direction and headed to Davincci's house. The place was far too quiet for that time of day. He went in quickly, went up to his room, and grabbed some clothes, stuffing everything haphazardly into his backpack. He picked up his toothbrush, a jacket, and then stood still for a second, looking at his room.
— Come back soon… — he murmured, not quite knowing why.
When he stepped outside, Elloysa was waiting by the gate, fiddling with her phone.
— Ready?
— Ready.
They headed toward her house.
The gate opened with a soft creak, and the familiar smell of Elloysa's home brought a strange sense of comfort. The living room was lit, the TV on some random channel, more out of habit than interest.
— I'm home! — Elloysa called out.
— In here! — a voice answered from the kitchen.
Mary appeared moments later, drying her hands on a cloth. Her smile came quickly, but there was something hurried in her movements.
— Hi, Davincci — she said. — Everything okay?
— Yes, ma'am.
— I'm glad you're staying here tonight — Mary commented, grabbing her purse. — Actually, I was just heading out.
Elloysa raised an eyebrow.
— Going out? Now?
— Work event — Mary explained, adjusting her coat. — I shouldn't be gone too long… I think.
Elloysa nodded, but her eyes betrayed a hint of concern.
— Be careful, okay?
— Always — Mary replied, kissing her daughter's forehead. — Lock the door after I leave.
She waved to Davincci and left, closing the door behind her.
The silence left in the house felt heavier than before.
— She's been going out a lot lately… — Elloysa commented, more to herself than to him.
— Do you want me to leave? — Davincci asked hesitantly.
— No. — She shook her head quickly. — It's better if you stay.
They went to Elloysa's bedroom, dropping their backpacks on the floor. Davincci sat on the bed and picked up his phone.
— I'm going to text Francielly — he said. — Just to make sure she's okay.
Elloysa nodded.
He typed quickly.
"Hey, everything okay over there?"
The reply didn't take long.
"I'm fine. Just tired."
Davincci let out a breath of relief and put the phone away.
— She says she's fine — he said.
— That's something — Elloysa replied.
Time passed in a strangely light way after that.
They played dominoes sitting on the floor, laughing at bad moves and silly teasing.
— How do you always manage to lose? — Elloysa mocked.
— Strategy — Davincci replied. — I let you get confident.
— Sure. Totally intentional.
Then they turned on the TV and put on some random movie, the kind no one really pays attention to. They commented on random scenes, laughed at bad dialogue, imitated characters.
For a few hours, the world felt distant.
But when night truly began to fall, Elloysa grew quieter. Sitting on the couch, she stared at the screen without really seeing what was playing.
— Are you thinking about your mom? — Davincci asked softly.
She took a moment before answering.
— A little… — she admitted. — She never comes back this late.
— She'll be fine — he said, trying to sound confident.
Elloysa nodded, but didn't smile.
— I know… I just… have a strange feeling.
She curled up slightly on the couch, hugging a cushion in her lap.
— But it's nothing. — She forced a smile. — Tomorrow this will all seem exaggerated.
Davincci didn't reply. He just stayed there beside her as the TV remained on and the night advanced outside.
Outside the house, the street was far too quiet.
As if the city itself were holding its breath.