The end-of-semester exams were drawing to a close, heralding the start of the summer holidays. KODJI was particularly happy because he had studied more than necessary to pass his exams.
The sound of pens tearing through paper filled the school's atmosphere; without a sound, all the students were focused on the questions presented to them.
The allotted time for the test was coming to an end when KODJI stood up to hand in his paper first. He left with a sigh, heading to the balcony on the 3rd floor where his exam room was located.
"Why are philosophy exams always so complicated... I hope I never have to hear about it again."
Positioned on the balcony, observing the horizon and basking in the gentle morning sun that reflected on his ebony skin, with the soft breeze passing through his short, curly hair.
Little by little, other students finished the morning exam as well.
That's when KODJI noticed something unusual.
"What's that?"
His words piqued the curiosity of other students nearby.
It was a trembling, staggering human silhouette. It was impossible to discern the situation from afar, but in the moment, conclusions were drawn.
"It's probably some drunk guy, it happens in the morning," said a student in a mocking tone.
Strangely, everyone laughed, not knowing that the situation was far more serious than they could have ever imagined.
Indeed, very quickly, several other silhouettes began to gather near the school gate, as if attracted by the noise of the students in the schoolyard.
The situation became much more alarming very quickly; they went from 5 to soon about ten, even a score.
KODJI had a bad feeling and tried to convey his concern to his classmate.
"Hey Yvan!! Don't you find those guys posted at the entrance weird?!"
"It's probably a comeback... Maybe there will be a fight after the exams, it happens quite often, doesn't it?"
Despite Yvan's point of view, KODJI was still worried.
Quickly, a crowd of students had formed at the entrance.
A few minutes passed, and the teachers headed towards the entrance to confront them. Even when faced with the teachers' threats to call the police, they still did not react.
From where he was, KODJI could not assess the situation. The only thing he noted was that the gate was locked but open enough to communicate with those outside.
The teacher there had quickly withdrawn his hand, which had been injured by one of them. The teacher was furious and took out his phone to call the police, but his anger did not subside; it seemed there was no one on the other end of the line.
He hesitated to go down but held back.
Soon, the end of the exam period was announced, and as usual, the bell was supposed to ring every hour. However, that morning it had not due to a power outage.
But now it was possible...That's when everything changed.
The individuals stationed at the entrance, who had only been bumping against the barrier and were almost inert, became extremely aggressive, banging harder against the gate and trying to get through it.
During the 20 seconds the bell was ringing, one of them finally climbed over the school gate and threw himself on a nearby student.
"This can't be happening!!"
Blood began to spurt from the throat of the student who had been bitten by the man who had crossed over. It was everywhere; it was a nightmare.
Unsurprisingly, screams began to be heard, and everyone in the courtyard quickly dispersed.
Meanwhile, on the upper floors and the ground floor, everyone rushed to find out what was happening.
"KODJI!! What's going on, tell us!!"
In shock, he turned to his classmates. "Someone is dead!!"
Everything became clear when they turned towards the pool of blood that had formed around the girl who had been attacked.
The noises became louder and louder, which then allowed the others to become even more excited, cross over in turn, and begin attacking all the students nearby.
The courtyard gradually began to tint red, and the students who were supposed to be dead began to get up and attack the other students in turn.
That's how KODJI instantly understood.
"Zombies..." he murmured with a trembling voice.
Yvan, who had heard him, also began to grasp the situation.
"What do we do, KODJI... We have to flee as quickly as possible..."
Flee... It's the first reaction of any human being in this situation, and KODJI knew that very well.
It took time, but even on the upper floors, things were starting to get agitated; many were trying to rush downstairs.
But KODJI called out to his friend, who wanted to do the same, to tell him to hide first.
"You want us to hide?!"
He nodded without a word. Both were panicked, and that was normal; however, making a rash decision would lead them to certain death.
That's when he shouted to everyone to enter a room and lock it as best they could.
After his call, only about twenty people listened to his words. The others, however, rushed towards the staircases and, unsurprisingly, were killed.
KODJI and Yvan had managed to enter the nearest room with 8 other students. Some were their classmates, others just students they had exchanged glances with a few times.
As quickly as they could, they closed the windows, which were fortunately made of iron and could be locked from the inside.
The real problem was the door; by a stroke of bad luck, the handle was broken and it only opened from the outside.
"What do we do about the door?" said one of the 4 girls present.
KODJI wanted to find a solution but didn't have time to deliberate because quickly the assailants were gathering towards the door.