Saka, who had been the most adamant about refusing to open the door, suddenly volunteered to go outside and accompany Rajawali. The abrupt decision instantly silenced the entire class, leaving everyone staring in disbelief.
Feeling all those eyes on him, Saka grew flustered. “I-I mean, rather than Asa— I mean, rather than letting a girl go out, I should go instead!”
Raya’s laughter shattered the silence. Hearing that irritating giggle, Saka’s temper flared again. “What are you laughing at? I’m trying to help your precious Kasandra, you know!”
Raya laughed again. “Are you trying to help Kasandra, or do you just not want Asa to leave the classroom? Jeez, you’re actually just like me, Ka.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Raya grinned. “Yeah. You’re willing to risk your life because someone you care about is going to be in danger too. All humans are like that, aren’t they? They only act for the people they care about.”
Raya’s words left Saka frozen. Just then, Ares cleared his throat. The blue gleam in his eyes sharpened. “Ray, enough. Stop stirring up trouble. Besides, not everyone is like that.”
Raya turned toward him reluctantly. “Not everyone is like what?”
Ares smiled faintly. “Raja isn’t. He’s new to this class, but he’s willing to help Kasandra.”
Raya fell silent, unable to argue. “Tch. Fine, then get out there. Don’t waste time.”
Saka’s eyes widened at Raya’s curt words. He was about to snap back, but Rajawali quickly patted the tall man on the shoulder. “Enough. Come on.”
Saka clicked his tongue and casually brushed Rajawali’s hand away. “Just remember, I’m not going out to accompany you, let alone for your sake. I just want to do the humane thing.”
Rajawali shook his head with an understanding smile. “Whatever you say.”
The two of them turned toward the door. Just as Rajawali reached for the handle, Ares spoke again.
“Remember. You’re only checking the hallway in front of the classroom. If there are no monsters, go back in and bring Kasandra out. But if there are... come straight back into the classroom. Don’t... die.”
Rajawali nodded firmly. “Relax, Res. There’s no way I’m dying here.”
“You think I want to?” Saka cut in, his eyes bulging.
Rajawali stuck out his tongue teasingly, then turned the handle. He poked his head outside. Everyone in the class held their breath. But after a few seconds, Rajawali pulled his head back in. “No monsters.”
Rajawali looked rather pale, which made Saka suspicious. But Rajawali had already grabbed his arm, pulled him outside, and closed the classroom door again.
The moment Saka looked down the hallway, he clapped a hand over his mouth to hold back his nausea.
“Damn. No monsters, but there’s...”
Rajawali turned his face away. “I was right, wasn’t I? Come on.”
Rajawali went first, with Saka following behind. Saka took a deep breath. For God’s sake, the sight before him was horrifying: blood-covered bodies lay everywhere, with severed hands and feet scattered all along the hallway.
Rajawali stopped when he found that the hallway they were heading toward was completely empty. The monster apparently hadn’t passed through this area, since there were no blood trails left behind.
“Go get Kasandra. I’ll wait here.”
Saka swallowed hard. He sprinted toward the classroom, then returned with Kasandra.
Rajawali looked at the petite blonde girl. “Get inside quickly. Saka and I will stand guard outside.”
Kasandra stopped in front of the bathroom stall door. “Thanks...”
Saka clicked his tongue. “You’re thanking us a little early. Come on, hurry up and finish!”
Kasandra grimaced and hurried into one of the stalls. Saka and Rajawali waited in silence. But just as the stall door opened again, a strange sound echoed from the end of the hallway.
Rajawali immediately pulled Saka back into the bathroom. He peeked out slightly, and at that instant, his legs went weak. “The monster... it’s there.”
Saka’s body went rigid. Kasandra, who had just come out, stared at them in panic.
“Damn it! I knew I was probably going to die, but I’m still scared! Fuck!” Saka cursed.
Rajawali patted Saka on the shoulder. “No one’s going to die.”
He stepped into a stall and grabbed a mop handle. Saka stared at him in horror. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to kill yourself—”
“Shhh...” Rajawali shot Saka a sharp look. “Listen to me. When I count from one to three, you two run to the classroom as fast as you can. Don’t look back and don’t hesitate. Your only priority is making it to the classroom safely.”
Saka and Kasandra gaped at him. “Don’t be an idiot, Ja! You could die!”
Rajawali let out a long breath. He rolled up the sleeves of his hoodie to his elbows. Cold sweat trickled down his temples. “That... is something to worry about later.”
Kasandra shook her head vigorously. “I’m not leaving you, Ja! I know we haven’t gotten close yet, but I’m sure we can become good friends someday!”
“Sandra, trust me.”
Kasandra kept shaking her head. But when the monster’s hissing grew closer outside, her body began to tremble violently.
“You understand, right? You just have to run. Please?” Rajawali urged.
Saka finally nodded, making Kasandra stare at him in horror. “Ka! You’re really going to leave Raja?!”
“There’s no other way! Or do you want the three of us to die here?!”
Kasandra bit her lip in terror. She didn’t want to leave Rajawali, but she wasn’t ready to die either. Without another word, Saka grabbed the girl by the wrist. “We’re leaving.”
Rajawali smiled faintly. “Thanks, Ka.”
Saka merely scoffed.
Rajawali took a fighting stance, gripping the mop handle tightly with his body slightly hunched. Then he began to count.
“One.”
Saka tightened his grip on Kasandra’s hand.
“Two.”
Tears trickled down Kasandra’s cheeks.
“Three!”
In a flash, Saka pulled Kasandra along and ran. At the same time, Rajawali charged out, pointing his mop handle forward. Just as he had expected, the zombie-like monster immediately turned and sped toward him. The monster was about to lunge at his body, but Rajawali didn’t flinch.
Meanwhile, Saka, having managed to get Kasandra to the hallway corner, suddenly stopped. He shoved Kasandra hard. “Get in the classroom! Hurry!”
Kasandra sobbed. “B-but you—”
“Kasandra! Damn it! I can’t leave that bastard kid alone!” Saka shouted.
Saka turned and sprinted toward Rajawali, who was now trapped against the wall. The monster had already opened its jaws, ready to devour Rajawali’s head.
Rajawali glanced at Saka. “Go...”
With a faint smile, Rajawali whispered, “Hurry... go...”
Kasandra burst through the classroom door and collapsed onto the floor. The door was quickly locked again, and the entire class fell silent.
“Kasandra... where are Raja and Saka?”
Kasandra looked up, her face wet with tears. The silence in the room instantly turned ominous.
“They’re... still out there, sob! The monster...”
Kasandra’s sentence was cut off by her breaking sobs. Iwan and Bela covered their mouths, unable to believe what they were hearing.
Meanwhile, Ares and Asa sank to the floor where they stood. Asa trembled violently, her tongue faltering as she tried to say one name.
“Raja...”