- They can’t really expect up to comply to every single rule, can they? she said
- They can, and you know it, Less. The fact that you got away with it for so long was due to good luck and not much else.
- I’m calling their bluff.
- And you’ll lose.
- But I will do so gracefully, she said, with a curtsy.

To that, I actually snort. You see, Less is the wild, fashion forward child at our high school, always not giving a crap about what the adults of the world told her. And the reason her behavior was on the back burner of the principal was that the principal was her “second cousin, twice removed”. That what she called him, at least. In reality he was one of her mom’s exes, the one that would have stuck, but, you know, life got in the way. Anyway,she had it good with him. Both at school and at home.But all that changed as the school received new management and the new headmaster runs this place with an iron fist. And put her on the top of the suspension list.

- You know, you could get on board with the uniform thing. The rest won't get you suspended, but that…
- And ruin my style?
- Your style will shine through. They said patches and pins are fine.
- What the hell am I, a Girl Scout?
- Trust me, no one will take you for a Girl Scout. Ever!

She laughed. I'd managed to make her laugh.

- You know, she said
- What?
- When they paired us up last year I wanted to kill myself. Or you. Or both.
- For what it's worth you weren't really my favorite person in the world.
- Really? Go on!
- No. Let's just say I changed my mind about you.
- Fine, don’t tell. Let's go for a smoke.

I don't smoke, but I keep her company and talk about school and clothes and clashing apparel because that what makes the world go round, right?Today our break from reality is cut short by the alarm. You know how during the war they used alarms to tell people to hide? We’re using them again. There are creatures around here that will kill everything in their path. And every now and then they go on a rampage into populated areas. Let's just say, if they so much as see you, you're done.

- Well, see you kiddo.
- Later, gator.

She goes in her part of school. I still have a bit to go before I get to my entrance. It's weird though, the alarms are louder than normal. I start running. The alarm is now so loud I can't even think. Just around the corner. I have to get around the corner. And then I see it, the fur, the tail, the spike at the end of it.Crap! That thing is busy enough that it didn't see me. I head over to the side building where I could climb my way to a window. The only one open is on the second story. Well, climbing my way to math class should serve me well now. I’m almost done. The branch snapped.
And it heard it. I have just enough time to get through the window and it’s there. Right at my feet. I kick it and kick the window shut.

I scramble through the classroom, trying to find a place to hide. That thing is still at the window, looking at me. Why is it still looking at me? It shouldn’t! I make my way out and close the door behind me. And then I hear it. Shattered glass. It’s in the school.

I find an open door, get in a closet and close the door. Why did it get inside? They’re not supposed to do that. Why was it still looking at me through the glass?

Shit! Can it really lock my scent? No, that’s crazy talk, they haven’t proved it can do that. But can it?
I hear it going through the hallway. I stopped breathing long ago. I’m safe here. It’s right outside the door. I remember the drill, find a hiding spot, stay put and wait it out. I’m safe here.

The door handle is turning...