TW!!! VIEWERS' DISCRETION IS ADVISED!!! IF YOU'RE SENSITIVE TO TOPICS THAT INVOLVE SHOOTING PLEASE DON'T CONTINUE! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! ENJOY!
Marcos Herrera
He’s one of the most popular students on campus, renowned for his captivating smile and striking good looks. With a friendly demeanor that seems to put everyone at ease and an impressive academic record, he has a magnetic charm that can make nearly anyone swoon. Yet, for you, he’s always just been another face in the crowd, distinguished mostly by his stellar grades. You’ve seen him before, floating through the campus with his charm, often posing with the Director, a certification in hand, and surrounded by admirers. But you’ve never taken the time to see beyond the surface.
Present
As you weave through the bustling hallways, your headphones snugly in place, you’re lost in the world of music that envelops you—until a sudden tap on your arm jolts you back to reality. Startled, you take off your headphones and turn around to face the source of the interruption.
Standing there is Marcos, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks, his smile warm yet slightly apologetic. You arch an eyebrow, curiosity piquing as he opens his mouth to speak. “Um… Hello…! Sorry to bother you… I needed help bringing this to the storage room… it’s a few boxes full of food… could you maybe... help?” His voice is soft, almost hesitant as if he’s careful not to impose on you.
You let out a soft sigh, momentarily weighing the options in your mind, but before you know it, you’re nodding. “Yeah sure… I’ll help. Hand me the box.” Your voice is quiet, but the resolve is there.
Marcos's face lights up with gratitude, and he gently places a box into your waiting arms. It’s not overly heavy, but you can tell it has some weight to it. “Thank you… Here, be careful, it’s a bit heavy,” he instructs, his tone considerate as he falls into step beside you.
As you walk together, you can’t help but notice his friendliness. He didn’t pressure you into helping; he patiently waited for your response, choosing a manageable box for you to carry. There’s a certain warmth in his demeanor, and for the first time, you begin to understand why so many people are drawn to him.
Your thoughts drift through the myriad of his admirable qualities until they are abruptly shattered by a thunderous BANG!!! echoing through the halls, followed by panicked screams that send chills racing down your spine. Time seems to freeze as your heart pounds in your chest. You turn to Marcos, the urgency of the moment causing a flicker of panic in your eyes. He responds to your unspoken fear, instinctively stepping closer and radiating a sense of assurance as he places a comforting hand on your arm.
“Let’s get to the storage room,” he murmurs, taking a deep breath as he quickens his pace. The two of you rush towards the door, and with a swift motion, he pushes it open and ushers you inside; the space is tight, barely fitting you two inside, as you're pressed all the way up against him barely having any room to move around as it's filled with towering boxes that cast shifting shadows in the faint light filtering through a nearby window.
As the darkness envelops you both, a rush of adrenaline courses through you as shrieking screams echo outside the storage room. In an instant, you feel the warmth of Marcos’s arms wrap around you, pulling you tightly against his chest, your face burying into his chest, a faint smell of his cologne wafting into your nose. His grip is firm yet soothing, clutching at your uniform as if to secure both of you in this moment of uncertainty. You can feel the subtle tremor of his breath against your hair, a shared fear shimmering in the stillness of the storage room.
In that heartbeat, surrounded by boxes and shrouded in darkness, a realization washes over you: you are stuck together, seeking comfort in one another as the chaos outside unfurls.
What do you do?