Story 1237: When the Bell Rang

They said no bell had rung in Halberd High since the outbreak.

Electricity was dead. Classes were gone. The building was condemned and avoided even by the infected. But tonight, as dusk cloaked the sky in bruised purple, the bell rang.

Once.

Twice.

Thirteen times.

Each note hung in the air like a scream held too long. And with each clang, the dead inside began to stir.

Jace and Dana had been using the school as a temporary hideout, tucked into the old science lab. Concrete walls. Reinforced doors. It was supposed to be safe.

Until the bell.

Jace dropped the makeshift radio he was building. “That’s impossible.”

Dana was already at the window. “Did you hear that? That can’t be real. The whole system's fried.”

As if in answer, the hallway lights flickered to life. Not a full glow—just the humming yellow of aged bulbs dying to remember their purpose.

Then the speakers crackled.