"EVERYONE GET OUT!!"
William shouted, trying to drown out the noise inside the bus. He grabbed the nearest students and pushed them out one by one.
Chaotic footsteps filled the air. The students jumped down, some falling onto the wet ground, their faces pale, their bodies trembling. Some were vomiting, others staring blankly as if they had lost their souls.
Raven got off with her group, her body still stiff but her mind working quickly. She checked on her friends one by one, making sure they were safe, while glancing around warily in case the people from earlier returned.
Behind her, she heard a trembling voice, almost breaking into tears.
"Mr. Willi... what should we do? I... I don't want to die..." the female guide almost choked on her fear.
William swallowed hard as he looked at the uncontrollable situation around him, his face pale but his eyes trying to remain calm.
"We can't stay here. They might come back..."
When William's gaze fell on Raven, he immediately called him over.
"Raven... help me. Gather everyone. We have to leave now... before they find us."
Raven looked around. Thick fog hung in the air, the sounds of crying and moaning still dominating the atmosphere. He saw Theo standing a little further away, frozen like a statue, his eyes empty, staring at the ground as if his mind was wandering somewhere else.
Raven stepped closer, her shoulders stiff, her voice low but firm.
"Hey, Theo..."
There was no response. Theo remained standing in place, his eyes blankly staring at the ground.
"Theo!" Raven called again, this time louder.
Slowly, Theo turned his head. His face was blank, devoid of any remaining spirit.
"What's wrong, Raven?" his voice was hoarse, dry, as if he had lost the energy to even speak.
Raven took a deep breath, holding back the frustration that tickled his chest.
"Are you okay?" he asked, trying to give Theo a chance to speak.
Theo sighed heavily, then laughed... blandly. "Okay? Ha... Do I look fine to you?"
Raven frowned, staring straight into his eyes.
"Listen, Theo. You're the trusted one in this class. I need you to help check on the others. Our friends need someone who can keep a clear head."
Theo turned his face away, his voice breaking with despair.
"Check on the others? Raven... what about us? Do you think I can stay calm?! We don't even know where we are right now! Everyone on the first bus is dead! Do you hear me?! Dead! And we're going to be next!"
Theo's body trembled. His hands were clenched, not because he wanted to fight, but because of his deep fear.
Raven looked at him for a few seconds.
Then...
BAM!
Raven's fist landed squarely on Theo's face. The sound of the impact was clear, causing everyone to fall silent.
Theo staggered and ended up falling onto the wet ground...
Silence...
All eyes turned to Raven, who stood tall, breathing heavily. He looked around at all the students, then spoke loudly, breaking the oppressive silence.
"Hey, don't mess with me!" His voice echoed sharply, piercing through the fog.
"What's wrong with you guys? Why are you crying and screaming? Do you think that's going to save us?" His voice was loud and merciless.
Some of the students flinched. Some covered their mouths, some turned their faces away, not daring to look at him.
Raven stepped forward, his voice growing louder, each word hitting the air like a whip.
"The people who were chasing us earlier are probably looking for our tracks right now! If you're still sitting here crying and panicking, you'll die like fools!"
He paused for a moment, looking at them one by one. His gaze was cold, but behind it was not blind anger, but fear and responsibility weighing heavily on him.
"If you want to live," he said more softly, but much more deeply.
"stay calm... and don't make a fuss."
Raven spoke with a firm, loud voice, each word piercing the air filled with fog and fear. His gaze swept sharply over all the students around him, pressing down on them, making them swallow hard.
Even the wet leaves seemed to freeze at the sound of his voice.
Raven's words hit hard like a whip. Everyone fell silent. Even William couldn't speak.
Theo, who was still sitting, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and slowly got up. He bowed his head for a moment, then adjusted his glasses.
"Thank you... Raven," he said softly, before walking past Raven to gather the other students.
William approached, his face tense.
"Listen... before we go, take everything we can salvage from the bus. Food, water, medicine, anything! We don't know when help will arrive."
Raven turned quickly, considered, then nodded. "Hurry! We don't have much time!
They scattered...
Several students rushed to the wrecked bus. The side door was dented, glass scattered on the ground. The driver's body was still slumped in the front seat, blood flowing onto the steering wheel. The smell of metal mixed with oil and blood stung their noses, making their stomachs churn.
Raven climbed in, moving quickly, kicking aside the seats that were in his way... He pulled several backpacks from under the seats and threw them out one by one. From behind, Theo appeared carrying a first aid kit he had found in the front compartment.
"This is all there is!" Theo placed it near Raven.
"Take the water bottles too! Don't leave a single one behind!" replied Raven without turning his head.
It took them almost five minutes to carry everything they could, water bottles, snacks, several raincoats, and gas lighters. They were panting.
Movement began to appear. Karin held her breath while helping a female student whose leg was sprained. Hana tore the bottom of her shirt to bandage a wound on one of her friends' arms. Kyle, although his face was still pale, carried a large bag containing water bottles and medicine from the wrecked bus. Even Lisa, who had been in despair, now held back her tears as she reached for her friend's hand, who was in shock.
Raven moved closer to Karin, who was supporting the blonde girl.
"How is she?" he asked briefly.
"Her ankle is swollen. She can't walk fast," replied Karin with a shrug, her eyes alert.
Raven nodded. She turned to Kyle. "Kyle, give the bag to someone else! You help carry her."
Kyle hesitated for a moment, then handed the large bag to Theo. He bent down, letting the girl climb onto his back, then tightened his grip. His breathing was heavy, but he nodded firmly.
William stared into the fog. His voice trembled. "Now... we have to go."
Raven tightened the straps of her bag, then looked at everyone. "Follow me. No one stays behind."
Without further words, the group moved away from the bus wreckage.
The slippery ground made their steps difficult, and several times someone slipped, but Raven and Theo were in front, making sure everyone could follow. The rustling of leaves grew louder, mingling with labored breathing.