“The vampiric gene, isolated in 2021, has shown to increase strength, intelligence, stamina, and longevity. However, there was but one side effect that was disappointing to a degree: severe sunlight reaction. Overall, physical side effects were sharpening of the teeth, eye-like pupils, and for only advanced cases webbed wings.” A short woman explained, while slowly spinning a hologram of DNA.
A large class of three hundred, eighth grade students, wrote down her every word and sketched a replica of the rotating hologram. Everyone’s handwriting was perfect, and their drawings were spotlessly identical.
“Pst, Lucius, you forgot your name again,” whispered Eerie.
You look down at your paper and realize that she is right. Quickly you write your name.
“Thanks, Eerie. Miss Lilth would have had my head if I forgot again.”
“Lucius. Eerie. Would you mind repeating what our lovely guide just said,” Miss Lilth sternly said with no room to argue.
You both stand in silence as blood rushes to your face and ears turning them bright red.
“That’s what I thought. Now both of you be quiet or you will be in detention for the next week. Do you understand me.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Both of you squeak out.
“Please continue.”
“As I was saying, over the years after inserting the gene into all humans, something began to happen. Some within the population would begin to lose their minds. It was only a few here and there but then it increased at an alarming rate. Once their minds were gone, other mutations took effect. Their skin would crack and fill with a dark ink color. Their muscle mass would increase from two to three times what is considered normal and lastly, their bone density would double. Nearly twenty percent of the known world falls in this category. Keep in…”
“Is this why we have metal slides covering our doors and windows,” Interrupted one of the students.
“Well, yes they are. They will stop any of the violent attacks from these mindless animals.”
“Are they the cause of the break ends and murders,” The students mutter among themselves.
“They could be, but criminals are still around and could be causing this too.” The guide tries to calm down the students.
“I heard a herd of them are moving towards us, killing everyone they see,” Shouted a student towards the back.
“What, no, where did you hear this,” The guide and Miss Lilth respond shocked.
“My parents were talking about this last night, they said the news was showing the path of the herd,” Yelled the student over all the voices. This was followed by; I did too, my parents were talking about this as well.
By now all the students were excited and talking frantically back and forth shouting questions.
A loud piercing whistle screeched around the room. Everyone quieted down as they grabbed their ears and shrank down.
An intense silence follows as all the students including you and Eerie stand up and stare at Miss Lilth.
“Okay class it seems that due to your rude behavior, the field trip is cut short. Everyone head to the bus without uttering another word.” Lilth coldly ordered.
Quickly the class files out and boards the bus in absolute silence. You and Eerie sit together and watch as Miss Lilth taps the driver and the bus leaves. Miss Lilth turns around and makes eye contact with every student showing her disappointment. When she looks at you, you meet her gaze without blinking. A couple moments go on until she changes her glare to Eerie. You feel Eerie squirm a little beside you and shrink back. You hold her hand by your side and it seems to help her sit up a bit taller.
“I can’t believe we got stuck on this bus with her,” Eerie whispers quietly to you.
“I know, we had a fifty-fifty shot. Whatever though, it is only for an hour.”
Half an hour goes by with a steady hum. Little bumps on the road as the bus slightly jolts. Eerie’s head is sitting on your shoulder and you lightly move your thumb over her hand over and over.
“Oh shit,” You hear the bus driver holler.
Suddenly the bus swerves and tosses you against Eerie as her head snaps against the window. The bus tilts to the side as something large hits near the front. A second impact rocks the bus and knocks the bus on the side with a loud screech of metal on the road as it slides to a stop.
There is a quiet couple of minutes as you hear others breathing, crying, or whimpering. You push yourself up on one arm and see Eerie lying on the broken window. Blood is pooling around her and her breathing is shallow. You squat next to next to Eerie and slowly turn her on her side. You gasp as you see hundreds of broken shards of glass stabbed in her back. A blood curdling scream sounds outside the bus. Everyone goes quiet in fear. You can hear footsteps outside the bus when a large pounding begins. Slowly all the students watch as the middle of the bus begins to buckle with each pound. A crack appears and through it you see a large arm push its way inside the bus. It is long, too long and too big. You have never seen something this big before. Then they were gone just like that but just as fast there were two then three then four. Mere seconds pass as the bus is ripped in two and before you stand hundreds of the largest humanoids you have ever seen.
