"Hey, assist me here!" Poco shouted as he grabbed the student being pulled toward the monster.
"And any one of you who can move should Grab those idiots gawking and head through the exit back door!" Poco added, as a few students stood paralyzed, unable to move.
Craig's body reacted instinctively as he immediately pulled one of the students toward the exit at the back of the classroom.
"I'm not playing hero, I'm not playing hero, I'm not playing hero. Nor do I care about heroic characteristics," Craig repeated in his mind, trying to focus on helping without his thoughts betraying him.
Just then, one of the classroom windows shattered as something entered the room.
Craig looked back in horror to see Poco yanking a student away from the monster's grasp. As the creature was about to attack Poco, Craig yelled, "Hey, meathead, why not come after me?"
"What did I just say?" he thought in fear as the monster turned its attention toward him.
"Playing hero, I see!" he added, condemning himself. "No, I said I'm not and this is not the time Craig!" he thought, terrified by the unfolding scenario.
But the monster only stared at him without moving.
"What's it doing?" Craig wondered, feeling slightly odd about the situation.
"Uhh?" Craig thought as he suddenly sensed the monster's presence behind him.
"What the heck...?" he murmured, turning to see the monster's mouth opening wide, aiming for his head. "If I die here, am I going straight to hell?"
Suddenly, a powerful kick landed on the side of the monster's face, sending it crashing across the classroom, toppling chairs, and slamming into the wall.
"Stay away from my classmates," Jennifer commanded coldly as she landed gracefully on the floor.
Craig stood in shock, overwhelmed by Jennifer's sheer strength.
"Everyone, get moving, now!" Jennifer ordered, grabbing a student from Craig and pushing them toward the group at the back exit.
Just then, the announcement system crackled to life:
"Students! Students! Cadets! I repeat, students and cadets, this is Senior Drill Officer Melia. Please make your way to the emergency department building if you can."
"An outbreak of monsterization is occurring, and strange moving vines. So please be careful and cautious of one another. Thank you."
" And If you cannot make it to the emergency department, head toward my office. Thank you!"
Jennifer turned to see the monster she had kicked rising to its feet, emitting a piercing scream. Another creature joined in as the automatic lights flickered on.
"Are they sensitive to electric light or sound?" Jennifer wondered, covering her ears against the deafening noise. "Or is it both?"
"Hey, Poco, let's get out of here!" Jennifer shouted, sprinting toward the exit.
Poco tossed the student toward Jennifer as he ran.
As Craig reached out to assist Poco, two of the monsters grabbed his legs.
The class watched in horror, as mark screamed poco name.
"Let go of him, jerks!" Mark yelled, throwing his candy at the monster's elongated arm gripping Poco.
"Hold on!" Craig gasped, straining to pull Poco free.
Suddenly, a figure descended from above with acrobatic grace, landing on the monster's arm that held Poco.
"What are you doing?" Poco grunted, wincing as his legs were squeezed, looking up at Latifa, who remained unfazed.
Without hesitation, Latifa spun, delivering a swift kick that loosened the monster's grip on Poco's legs.
"Craig, pull!" she ordered coldly. "I'll hold them off."
The students murmured among themselves, watching as Latifa faced off against the two monsters while Craig struggled to free Poco.
Before the monsters' tentacles could encircle Latifa's neck, Poco grabbed one, his voice strained.
"I hate owing someone," he panted, "especially individuals like you!"
With a mighty heave, he wrenched the tentacle away, flinging it aside.
"Now, let's get out of here!"
Poco grabbed Latifa by the wrist as they headed toward the back door.
BANG!‼️
Jennifer immediately slammed the door shut behind them, just as the monster's elongated arm struck the door with a resounding thud.