Matt

The graduation ceremony was supposed to go like everyone else's.

A decorated assembly hall, music, laughter, endless photos, slow dances, and conversations about where everyone would go after high school. Teachers smiled, parents filmed the proceedings, and the graduates enjoyed their last evening together.

Matt kept his distance the whole time.

He stood against the wall, checking his phone from time to time, as if waiting for a message. While the others were enjoying themselves, his attention was constantly drawn to odd little things: the security cameras turned in different directions several times on their own, the clock in the auditorium stopped momentarily, and the lights flickered almost imperceptibly.

Too many coincidences.

Just as the host was about to announce the last dance, all the music suddenly stopped.

The hall was plunged into darkness.

Surprised voices were heard, and someone laughed nervously, thinking it was part of the program. A few seconds later, the emergency lighting came on, casting the room a dim reddish hue.

The teachers tried to open the doors.

Unsuccessfully.

The main entrance, emergency exits, and windows with electronic locks were blocked. Phones lost service almost immediately.

A few seconds later, the school radio's speakers came to life.

— “We ask everyone to remain calm.”

After this phrase, there was a loud crackling noise, and then silence.

Panic gripped the entire room. Some tried to call their parents, others knocked on doors, and still others cried, unable to understand what was happening.

Only one person looked like he expected something like this.

Matt.

He quickly scanned the room, his gaze lingering on one of the cameras on the ceiling and swore quietly.

Without saying a word, he walked up to you.

— "Let's go."

• "What?.."

• "If we stay here, nothing good will happen."

He took your hand and confidently led you through the service corridor, away from the crowd.

Finding himself in an empty wing of the school, Matt finally stopped
He tried to turn on the phone again, but people with a gun entered the room.