The first semester exams loomed ever closer, a double-edged sword for the students of Divine Gift University. On one hand, the students dreaded the academic pressure, on the other, they yearned for the exam to end, for the sweet escape back to their homes – their safety zones. A collective air of anticipation permeated the air in the school.
Each passing day in the school was a tightrope walk over a pit of fear. The students lived within the university's walls under a constant, unspoken threat, the fear of being the next victim of a venomous attack.
In the face of mounting anxiety, the students channeled their energies into their studies, employing various methods to ensure their success. Study groups formed, creating a collaborative environment where knowledge was shared and understanding deepened. Others opted for solo reading, immersing themselves in their texts and notes in pursuit of academic excellence
Some students adopted more unique approaches, such as sound reading, sign reading, and musical reading, while others tested their progress through self-examinations. Each individual sought out the strategies that best align with their learning styles, their dedication to their studies unwavering despite the looming threat that surrounded them
Ekene, Samuel, Grace, and Cynthia were no exception, making preparations for the upcoming exams while maintaining a constant vigilance against the potential for a venomous attack. Determined not to be caught off guard, the quartet established a system of patrols, working together to ensure the safety of their friends and fellow students
Taking turns to walk through the campus, the crew sought to balance their academic responsibilities with their new found roles as guardians of the campus
The day of the first semester examinations arrived, casting a palpable tension across Divine Gift University. Determined and focused, the students filed into their respective designated examination halls, eager to find their seats and begin the long-awaited tests. The invigilators, tasked with overseeing the proceedings, prepared to address the gathered students, each one keen to impart the necessary instructions before the clock began its relentless countdown
"Listen up, everyone," an invigilator announced, his voice resonating throughout the hall. "This paper is three hours long. It's going to start at 9 AM and will end at 12 noon. You have five minutes to go to the restroom, drop your books, drink water, or wh-"
The invigilator's speech was abruptly cut short as a thunderous blast erupted from the back of the hall, sending shockwaves rippling through the assembly of students. With a mixture of disbelief and horror, they watched as an impossibly massive snake burst through the wall, its immense form filling the space with a suffocating sense of dread
"What in the world is that?" a student exclaimed, his voice trembling with fear
"Is that an anaconda?" another asked, his eyes wide with terror
"I don't care what it is. Run!" a third student shouted, her words inciting a sudden and chaotic exodus from the hall
In the chaos that ensued, students tripped over chairs and scrambled over one another in a desperate bid for survival. The massive snake, unfazed by the pandemonium it had unleashed, fixated on the invigilator and struck at lightning speed. To the horror of those who dared to watch, the helpless man was swiftly devoured, disappearing into the depths of the serpent's ravenous maw
Panic, raw and primal, erupted. The orderly shuffle of students turned into a brutal desperate stampede. They clawed over desks, pushing and shoving one another in a frantic race for the doors. A student tripped, falling hard to the floor, and was instantly trampled by the surge of bodies behind him
Amidst the escalating chaos, Ekene remained a steady beacon of composure, his mind focused on devising a plan to ensure the safety of everyone within the university. Just then, Princess Adaeze and Samuel burst into the hall, their face pale with a different kind of terror. They found Ekene, Grace, and Cynthia standing close to each other, their gaze fixed on the monstrous serpent
"Guys, this is terrible!" Samuel exclaimed, the urgency in his voice mirroring the fear that enveloped them all
"What's the matter?" Ekene asked, his calm demeanor never wavering
"That thing staring at us right here and right now," Samuel began, gesturing to the immense reptile before them, "isn't alone,"
"That's right," Princess Adaeze confirmed
Grace and Cynthia's eyes widened in horror as the realization set in, their worst fears confirmed as they began to comprehend the enormity of the threat they faced
"In other words…" Ekene said, his voice trailing off as he acknowledged the gravity of the situation
"Yeah, it's what you're thinking. The whole school is filled with snakes as big as that one over there." Samuel reported, the weight of his words settling over the group like a heavy shroud
"The other halls were attacked by the same kind of massive beasts. Right now, this school isn't safe for anyone." Princess Adaeze added, her words confirming Samuel's report
"I see," Ekene said, his mind working furiously to devise a plan
"So, what do we do now?" Cynthia asked, her voice trembling as she struggled to maintain her composure in the face of such overwhelming odds
"Calm down, guys," Ekene urged, his calm demeanor serving as a reassuring anchor for his friends
"What do we do?" Grace asked, her eyes locked on Ekene as she awaited his guidance
"Evacuate everyone out of school immediately!" Ekene ordered, his voice firm with conviction
"Right!" the quartet of Princess Adaeze, Samuel, Grace, and Cynthia chorused, their relief at having a clear course of action evident in their voices
"Let's move!" Ekene commanded, his unwavering determination a beacon of hope amidst the chaos
"Right!" the quartet of Princess Adaeze, Samuel, Grace, and Cynthia chorused, their fear momentarily eclipsed by their resolve to protect their fellow students
With that, the quartet of Princess Adaeze, Samuel, Grace, and Cynthia sprang into action, aiming to carry out their new mission of evacuating students out of school. They fought against the tide of panic, trying to organize the stampede of students. But fear had made the crowd irrational. The snakes claimed a few more lives, their massive bodies slithering through the halls, adding to the terror
"Don't push! Calm down!" Samuel shouted, attempting to maintain order amidst the chaos
"Don't tell me to calm down! I'm not ready to die! I'm not going to die here!" one student cried out, fear and desperation colouring his words
"Don't worry, nobody is going to die-" Grace's words were interrupted by a sudden blast coming from the Law student's examination hall
Turning to face the source of the explosion, Grace's heart pounded in her chest as a horrifying sight met her eyes. There, in the midst of the destruction, Ekene was wrapped helplessly within the coils of the same gargantuan snake that had attacked the Law students' examination hall and killed the invigilator, its scaly body a prison of death