The End Boxset: Postapocalyptic Visions of an Unstoppable Collapse by BJ Knights Read Free Book Online Page B

in front of everyone. That would be the price he paid for the way he would talk too loud even when he was whispering. For the way he asked her for answers. For the way that he sat behind her breathing loudly all day, every day.
     
    At the third request, Kiya turned around to face her opponent. Her mouth was forming the words she was going to say. She took a deep breath when suddenly the lights in the classroom went out. For a moment she was momentarily distracted, but wanted to continue on with the plan to destroy Mark Nelson. Before she could get the words out, a distant explosion rumbled the classroom. A few framed pictures fell to the wall. Then silence. Mrs. Crabtree stood up and walked over to the window to investigate.
     
    Past soccer field and the trees beyond the school, a gorgeous blaze danced in the sky.
    “My God...,” Mrs. Crabtree said. Some of the kids moved from their desk and to the window. Soon the entire class followed suit. “Whoa,” a boy said causing more interest among the students. Mrs. Crabtree raised her arms as to create order.
    “Children! Children please go back to your desks. It's just a forest fire.  Let's all take out seats—”
    “Who turned out the lights?” a red-headed girl dramatically interrupted.
    “Erika, everyone can see just fine. Don't try to start a panic. Get in your seats!” Mrs. Crabtree persisted.
    The class grumbled and moved away from the window and slowly back to their desks. 
     
    Mrs. Crabtree took another look out the window of the classroom, then slowly moved to the front of the class, thinking. Kiya felt that it would be hard to get back to the math exercises after that little interruption. Plus she lost the rage needed to tell off Mark Nelson. Now what was she going to do? Mrs. Crabtree turned to face the class.
    “I'm going to find out what’s going on. I'll need one of you to be the teacher's assistance while I'm gone. Do I have any volunteers?” she asked.
    None of the children raised their hands. They knew better.
    “Okay, well, we'll do this the easier way,” she said as she pointed to a random student. No one within her range was immediately sure if she had pointed at them or not. Every student tried to quickly look away.
     
    “Shelly,” she said pointing.
    “Shelly Ackerman, come up here and sit at my desk.”
    The little blonde girl had no choice but to move. Any stalling would have made things worse. Kiya took a deep sigh of relief. She was only a few desks from Shelly. 
    Mrs. Crabtree looked to the class and continued, “I want you to treat Shelly with the same respect you would show me. She has the right to report any bad behavior to me. And I will take the appropriate action. Now, I'll be right back. In the meantime, continue your math exercises.”
    “But I can't see anything!” the red-headed girl shouted from the back of the class.
    “Erika, don't be smart. Everyone can see just fine with the natural light from outside.”
    Mrs. Crabtree left the room as Shelly nervously took a seat at the teacher's desk. The minute the door shut a paper ball from the back of the class room struck Shelly in the forehead. Laughter followed. Shelly scowled at the boys in the back.
     
    Mrs. Crabtree walked down the hall and noticed a group of other teachers huddled by the school lockers. “So what's going on with the power?” she asked.
    One of the teachers, Mr. Barone, looked to her as the others murmured among themselves.
    “None of us are really sure. Just seems like a standard power outage.”
    “And the explosion?” Mrs. Crabtree asked.
    Another teacher interjected, “That's what we're trying to figure out.”
    “Where's the principle?” another teacher barked.
    “Probably on the phone with the power company.” Mr. Barone replied.
    “Well let's hope he's doing something. Nothing works. Did you guys try your cell phones?” Another teacher, Ms. Whitten, asked the group
    The group seemed to indicate that they hadn't as she continued,