The energy in the gym was palpable as you stood at the service line, volleyball in hand. You took a deep breath and glanced over at the bleachers, where Vincent, Zion, Charles, Elodie, and Angelica were making a spectacle of themselves. They were cheering wildly, but in their own ridiculous way—waving their arms, shouting inside jokes, and basically acting like fools. You couldn't help but laugh softly, shaking your head at their antics. It was a comforting sight, their silly behavior easing the tension you felt.You gripped the ball, lifting it high above your head, ready to send it soaring across the net. But just as you were about to strike, a deafening roar filled the sky, and the entire gym turned its eyes upward. Helicopters—several of them—flew low over the school, the noise cutting through the atmosphere like a knife. Your concentration faltered, and you hesitated, the ball still in your hand. The game was momentarily forgotten as you and everyone else watched in confusion.

“What in the world...?” you muttered under your breath, shaking off the distraction. You shrugged, chalking it up to a weird coincidence. Repositioning yourself, you tossed the ball into the air again, determined to finish your serve.

Then, without warning, the ground trembled beneath your feet. A deep rumble shook the gym, the vibrations throwing you off balance. You stumbled, arms flailing as you tried to regain control, but it was too late. You hit the ground hard, the ball rolling away. Silence fell over the court. Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. before you could collect yourself, alarms rang out from the stands. Phones buzzed and blared. You sprinted towards your friends, where Elodie was already staring at her phone, eyes wide with shock.

A wave of panic spread through your group, your friends' faces mirroring your disbelief. Zion was the first to react, bolting toward the gym’s exit without a word. Within seconds, chaos erupted as everyone else followed. You grabbed your bag, chasing after them.