Chapter 40: The Core of the Battle with Audiobook

By: Asa Montreaux

The shrill sound of alarms echoed through the corridors of The Andrews School, reverberating off the stone walls like a battle cry. Hugh, Eliza, and Sam sprinted down the hall, their hearts pounding in time with the frantic blare. Students were pouring out of classrooms, their faces a mix of confusion and fear. The usually vibrant school was now cloaked in a palpable tension, each person aware that something sinister lurked just beyond their walls.

“Where are we supposed to go?” Eliza shouted over the din, trying to keep pace with Hugh and Sam. 

“Let’s head to the central courtyard!” Hugh replied, his mind racing. “That’s where everyone will gather for an announcement. We can figure out what’s happening there.”

As they reached the main hall, the trio saw clusters of students forming, their voices a cacophony of speculation. The faculty members were attempting to restore order, their faces grim as they ushered everyone outside. Hugh spotted Agent Macomb at the front, his usually composed demeanor now tinged with urgency.

“Everyone, please listen!” Macomb shouted, raising his hands to quiet the crowd. The alarm continued to blare in the background, adding to the atmosphere of impending dread. “We have reason to believe that Crimson Dawn may have initiated a coordinated attack on our location. We need to remain calm and follow protocol.”

Hugh exchanged worried glances with Eliza and Sam. They were all too aware that this was more than just an exercise in emergency preparedness. This was real, and the stakes were higher than ever.

“Students, please proceed to the designated safe areas. Faculty will ensure everyone is accounted for. Keep your communication devices handy; we’ll be sending updates as quickly as possible,” Macomb continued, his voice steady despite the chaos.

As the crowd began to disperse, Hugh felt a surge of determination. “We can’t just wait here,” he urged Eliza and Sam. “We need to find out what’s really going on. If there’s an attack, we have to be part of the solution, not just the reaction.”

Eliza nodded, her expression resolute. “What do you have in mind?”

“There’s a security control room near the administration office. If we can access the surveillance feeds, we might see what’s happening outside the school,” Hugh suggested. “We can’t rely solely on the adults. We need to gather our own intel.”

Sam hesitated, glancing at the crowd of students being herded away. “What if we get caught?”

“Then we’ll deal with it,” Hugh said, his voice firm. “This is bigger than us. We have to act.”

The trio darted through the halls, moving quickly but cautiously. The alarms still blared, and every step echoed ominously in their ears. As they reached the administration office, they found the door slightly ajar. Hugh pushed it open, and they slipped inside, the cool air contrasting sharply with the chaos outside.

Inside, the room was filled with monitors displaying various angles of the campus. Hugh approached the main console, his fingers flying over the keys as he attempted to access the surveillance feeds. Eliza and Sam stood guard, peering through the blinds to the courtyard outside.

“Come on, come on,” Hugh muttered, sweat beading on his forehead. “Where’s the feed?”

Suddenly, one of the screens flickered to life, revealing the courtyard filled with students. But it wasn’t the reassuring sight Hugh had hoped for. Instead, the scene was chaotic—students were running, some shouting in panic. 

“What’s happening?” Sam whispered, leaning closer.

As Hugh focused on the monitor, he noticed movement in the shadows—figures dressed in dark clothing, their faces obscured by masks. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. Crimson Dawn had infiltrated the school grounds.

“Guys, look!” Eliza exclaimed, pointing to another screen. “They’re attacking from the east side! They’re trying to break into the admin building!”

Hugh’s heart raced. “We have to warn the others! If they breach the admin building, they’ll have access to all the student files, schedules—everything.”

Just as he was about to reach for the radio, the door burst open, and a group of faculty members stormed in, their expressions a mix of alarm and determination. 

“Get out of here! It’s not safe!” one of the teachers shouted, but Hugh shook his head.

“We can help!” he insisted. “They’re attacking right now! We need to alert everyone and set up a defense!”

The teachers hesitated, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. But before they could respond, a loud crash resonated from the hallway, followed by the unmistakable sound of spells being cast—flashes of light illuminating the corridor outside.

“Go! Now!” another teacher commanded, shoving the students toward the door. “You’re not trained for this!”

“Neither are you if you don’t start using your magic!” Hugh shot back, feeling the fire of determination surge within him. “We can’t let them take our school. We have powers for a reason!”

Eliza and Sam exchanged glances, and with a collective nod, they stepped forward. “We’re in this together,” Sam said, his voice steady.

“Fine,” the lead teacher relented, his voice laced with both fear and respect. “But you stay close. We need to regroup and come up with a strategy.”

Hugh felt a rush of adrenaline as they moved as one toward the door, ready to face whatever chaos awaited them outside. The time for waiting was over; it was time to stand and fight.

As they stepped into the fray, the tension in the air thickened, and the battle for their school—and their lives—began. Spells crackled around them, and the very fabric of their world felt like it was tearing apart. They had to find a way to protect not only their school but the future they were all fighting to defend.