Chapter 5

*"It's... a Phynicx!!"*

Their curious gaze twisted into terror. *How was this possible? Why... why was it here?*

The corridor echoed with the guttural growls of the creature as it tilted its head, sniffing the air for the slightest sound.

Not far away, a nursery class chanted their ABCs in unison, their teacher guiding them with a gentle tap of her cane.

"One more time!" she encouraged, her voice sweet and calm. The children obeyed, their high-pitched voices ringing out—

And the Phynicx *snapped to attention.*

With a bone-chilling snarl, it lunged toward the classroom.

Ayomide and the other students screamed, but their terror only multiplied as another growl answered—then another. *Hundreds.* The school erupted into chaos, students scrambling in every direction, desperate to escape becoming the monsters' next meal.

Natasha stood frozen, her mind trapped in the past. That day played on loop—her family, torn apart, devoured. Tears blurred her vision. She didn't even see the Phynicx charging—

Until a hand yanked her backward.

Ola dragged her through the madness, their legs burning as they sprinted. He shoved her into a supply closet, locking it behind them, and pressed her face into his shoulder, muffling the screams outside. The sounds of slaughter were unbearable—bones crunching, flesh tearing—but he held her tighter, whispering, *"Don't look."*

An hour passed. The screams faded.

The school was now a graveyard—silent, thick with the stench of blood and death.

Ola eased the cupboard open, his breath shallow—

And stared straight into the half-human face of a Phynicx.

Eyes locked on each other, neither dared to move nor make a sound.

Natasha held her breath, her body tense with fear. Never in her life had she imagined she'd react like this—paralyzed—not when danger was so close.

The Phynicx finally broke the stare, glancing away briefly before leaping out of the classroom window.

A shaky breath of relief escaped their lips. Cautiously, they stepped out of the closet—only to be met with a gruesome sight.

A pool of blood.

Natasha's knees buckled at the sight, but Ola caught her just in time, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her.

"Are you alright?" he asked in a hushed, urgent tone.

She nodded faintly, and with his help, managed to stand upright again.

"Let's go find the others," he said.

Natasha's eyes darted to the wall clock. "It's still 10:17," she murmured. "I don't think it's over yet. The Phynicx are still hunting and… look."

She pointed toward the window.

The view outside, once filled with passing students and the soft rumble of cars moving lazily across campus roads, had transformed. Thick trees and wild grasses stretched where buildings and sidewalks used to be.

"When did this...?" Ola's voice was laced with disbelief.

Natasha narrowed her eyes. "This is different from anything that's happened before. The Phynicx feels… off. The time isn't moving. The day's stuck—it's not getting darker. And now, the school is completely surrounded by forest. There's no exit anymore."

She scanned the room again before adding with certainty, "It's like we're locked in."

"Locked in, huh?" Ola muttered, his thoughts racing. He tried to piece it all together, but the pieces didn't fit.

"We have to—"

"No, Tasha." He turned to face her, his voice firmer now. "This time, you listen to me. You could've really died back there. We need to find a way out of this… this prison. And we need to find the others. I don't want to see your blood again."

He grabbed her hand and led her out of the classroom, determination in his every step.

Nehita shifted inside the cupboard, her heart racing. The terrifying events from just minutes ago flashed vividly before her eyes.

Back in the classroom, time had suddenly frozen. While everyone was still trying to make sense of it, Ola had grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her out of the class. He rushed her into the cupboard, urgency written all over his face.

"Lock it from the inside," he instructed.

Before he could leave, Nehita caught his hand, her eyes filled with confusion.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"I don't know," he replied. "But I do know if you step out, you'll end up as monster lunch."

"You mean—"

"No more questions. I have to find Tasha," he said quickly and ran off.

Now, alone in the dark cupboard, Nehita could hear everything—the terrified screams of students, monstrous growls, the crack of bones snapping, and a sickening sound like oil bubbling in water.

The air grew heavier, thick with the scent of blood and the saliva of the Phynicx.

With trembling hands, Nehita slowly opened the cupboard door, panting in fear. She had no idea what to expect.

Suddenly, a figure appeared before her.

She let out a scream—but a hand quickly covered her mouth.

"Shhh! It's me, Nehita," whispered a voice.

She froze, then slowly relaxed as she recognized Ayomide. She nodded, her breathing still shaky, one hand pressed against her chest.

"Are you okay?" Ayomide asked gently.

Nehita gave a weak nod. "Have you seen anyone else?"

"No. You're the first person I've found," Ayomide replied. "We have to get out of here. The school... it's like a graveyard. So many of our classmates are dead—seniors, juniors... everyone."

Horrific images flashed through her mind, and she swallowed hard.

"We need to find Ola and Natasha," Nehita said firmly.

"What makes you think they're still alive?" Ayomide asked in a hushed voice. "I barely made it."

"If you're still alive," Nehita said, tightening her grip on Ayomide's hand, "then there's still hope for them too."

Without another word, she led the way forward.