When Katie walked into the classroom the next day, she was armed and ready.

Katie wore a black and white jacket and a pair of jeans. Her Glock was placed in one of the two inner pockets of her jacket. Two of her magazines were in the other inner pocket. Two were placed in her jean pockets. The last two were in her school bag, along with a whole bag of bullets.

She had two small knives at the back jean pockets. Her large knife was still on her belt. She had to admit she enjoyed feeling the cold blade on her skin.

Katie moved with all the confidence in the world. As she sat down in her seat, she noticed some of her fellow students were ready as well. Many of them had their pockets full, either with knives or handguns. She watched as one of the boys literally pulled out a shotgun from his backpack. A couple of the other boys were gathered around him, talking and laughing loudly.

It seemed like she wasn’t the only one that went to shopping.

“I sneaked into my dad’s garage and just grabbed onto this and ran. Old man checks out his weapon every day, but he didn't even notice it was gone. Say what you want about this curse, it’s got some good sides.” The boy with the shotgun, Terry, boasted.

“Wait a second. If Isaac’s power keeps us from getting noticed or stopped by others, then what happens when we commit a crime? Will the police notice it or just forget about it like everyone else?”

Hearing the question, Katie was really thinking. She knew her parents didn't ask why she came home early or where she went last afternoon. None of the school staff members stopped the students when they got out of class early. When she was in the supposed crime-ridden area, she wasn’t interrupted at all.

Basically, if she actively talks to someone, she would be noticed. But if she doesn’t do anything to attract attention, the others would simply ignore her.

Brilliant.

The others have reached a similar conclusion. Only they went a step further.

“That’s awesome! What do you say we go into the city after class and have some fun?” A member of the group spoke up. His name was Brian. Katie knew he had a pair of problematic parents. As a result, he wasn’t the best person in the class as well. There was rumor that he was involved in drugs before the games began. “I know a really good place that serves great liquor, and there’s always some pretty girls in there.”

“That might not be the best…” There was some voice of reason.

“What the hell are you afraid of? We might die tomorrow! Hell we might even die today! We need to have fun while we can!”

Fair point.

The door opened and Caitlin walked in. Her eyes were slightly red. That wasn’t surprising. That was the case for half the class. Most people couldn’t sleep when they realize this might be the last time they sleep. Katie looked to Caitlin, but the latter looked away on purpose.

Katie sighed. Bored again, she started looking around the classroom. Everyone looked at least a little down.

Boooorrrrrriiiinnnggg.

When all the students were in place, Mr. Isaac walked in. The blood on his clothes was dried, but that wasn’t necessarily for the better.

Before he could even speak, a figure charged out among the students, raised a revolver, and emptied six rounds into Mr. Isaac.

Kyle.

While most people have forgotten about the casualties in the classroom, those that were also involved haven’t. Kyle has spent the night being tormented by dreams of Jessica’s death. In his nightmare, Jessica’s ghost stuck with him and repeatedly demanded why he didn't save her. In the end, it was enough to drive him to do something very very stupid.

All six rounds hit the target. Mr. Isaac’s body got even messier. But that was it. A mess was all those six bullets managed to accomplish.

Mr. Isaac glanced at Kyle. The boy kept on pulling the trigger, but nothing came out.

The class, previously paralyzed by the repeated gunshots, now looked at Kyle in worry. Mr. Isaac brutally executed the four students that were late for such an insignificant reason. What would he do to someone that attacked him?

Kyle realized that as well. Fear overcame anger. His hands started shaking as he dropped the revolver onto the ground.

But Mr. Isaac didn't do anything. He merely smirked at Kyle.

“Please get back into your seat, Kyle. The game is about to begin.”

Kyle returned to his seat like a zombie.

Katie frowned in her seat in utter disappointment. Come on undead Isaac! Kyle shot you! Six times! At least rip a limb off or poke an eye out or something! This is really a turnoff!

“The game today is very easy.” Mr. Isaac started strolling at the front of the classroom. “I have read an interesting article about how women tend to have a higher pain tolerance than men. Today, I want to find out if it’s true.”

Katie licked her lips.

This sounds very fun.

Mr. Isaac opened his backpack and took out two boxes. He opened one of them and showed the class the contents.

Some students gasped when they realized the contents were all forms of torturing devices, going from knives to hammers to needles to lighters to all sorts of injections.

“I’m going to pick a boy and a girl. When the game begins, they’ll use these tools on themselves. I’ll record how much pain they are in. When the time is up, the person in the most pain wins. The loser, well, let’s just say it’s gonna be a fun ride.”

Katie was almost outright laughing. The rest of the class, on the other hand, was frozen.

Mr. Isaac is going to pick one from each gender. No one is safe. Who will be the unfortunate sacrificial lamb?

The undead started walking around the classroom.

“For the boy…”

He paused there and smiled as half of the class was shaking. For a moment, the classroom was dead silent. Some students even held their breath because they didn't want to attract any unwanted attention.

Finally, Mr. Isaac stopped in front of one of the boys.

“Brian, you’re up.”

Guang! The boy next to Brian collapsed on the floor out of sheer relief.

This was funny, but Brian didn't have the luxury to laugh. He was the boy that talked about how they should enjoy life while it lasts. He had no idea how right he was. As Mr. Isaac called his name, he could barely stand up because his legs were as flimsy as noodle. All the cockiness was gone in the face of an agonizing death.

The other boys looked at Brian in pity, but all of them took a breath of relief, except the knocked out one, of course. Brian is going to die today, and none of the other boys will have to.

“As for the girl…”

This time, the other half of the class started shaking. Well, except for Katie Lockwood, of course. The brunette knew she should look away and act normal and try to blend in, but she couldn’t help but look at Mr. Isaac in an inviting look. Just like addicts couldn’t stay away from drugs, she couldn’t stay away from an opportunity as good as this one to have some fun.

Torturing herself in a competition in front of the whole class? How good is that?

There was no way she was going to sit this one out.

Mr. Isaac looked at Katie and saw the plea in her eyes. He cursed under his breath and silently turned away. Damn maniac. Scanning through the girls, he finally made up his mind.

“Caitlin. Good luck and have fun!”

“Damn it!” Katie slammed her fist into her desk, partially out of spite for losing the chance and partially because her best friend’s head was on the chopping block. “Can we switch? I volunteer to take her place!”

“What?”

“You’re crazy!”

Most of the class turned to Katie in shock. They were glad they got to live, but Katie’s volunteering to take the spot? It’s either true friendship or straightup death wish.

Caitlin looked at Katie in shock, and partially in guilt. To be honest, yesterday, after Katie indirectly lit Lucy up, Caitlin couldn’t help but think Katie was a cold-blooded psychopath willing to kill others to save her own skin. Although she didn't feel like she could judge her friend, she wasn’t a fan of that choice either. But what was going on here completely changed her opinion. The “cold-blooded psychopath” just tried to save her life by risking her own.

“I know you want to get in with the action, Katie. After all, you’re a good student.” Mr. Isaac turned to the brunette. “But you have to leave some chances to the others too. Now, you two, bring your chairs up.”

Neither of the two students moved.

“Fine. You do need to save some strength for the game itself, and I’m a nice teacher, so...” A single snap from Mr. Isaac sent the chairs Caitlin and Brian were on, along with the students, sliding to the front of the classroom. The two boxes of torture tools floated onto the tables. “let the game begin.”

Suddenly, Terry stood up. His shotgun was in his hand. He walked toward the front of the classroom, but he wasn’t planning to use the firearm on Mr. Isaac.

He wanted to use it on Caitlin.

“I’m sorry, Caitlin, but Brian’s my friend, and one of you has to die. A shot to your head will end your misery, and the dead can’t feel pain. This way Brian can live.”

“Wait, why should I do…” Caitlin wasn’t giving in either.

Suddenly, Katie walked up, pulled a knife out of her pocket, and stuck it into the desk in front of Caitlin. Terry immediately turned his shotgun and pointed it to her chest.

“Go on. Pull the trigger.” Katie taunted while keeping her hand on the knife. “But if you don’t kill me in one shot, you don’t have to worry about firing another, because this knife will be so deep in your head it wouldn’t even leave a trace outside.”

Ok, calm down Katie. You’re just trying to act tough so Terry won’t shoot you. You don’t actually want to be shot...right? Right?

Terry shook. Sweat dripped down his forehead. He didn't want to back off now. Not wanting to give up Brian was one thing. Not wanting to show weakness was another. But Katie was just so god damn terrifying! And her eyes! Logically, Terry knew this was impossible, but he could swear Katie wanted him to shoot her! How’s that even possible?

Mr. Isaac interrupted at the perfect moment.

“As much as I want to see this play out, I have to add something. In the event of what happened yesterday, it will be illegal for anyone to touch the participants. Anyone that does will be beheaded.”

Terry lowered his weapon.

Katie frowned. She suddenly thought of something.

“Actually, Mr. Isaac, do you mind changing the punishment? Beheading? Beheading is boring. There’s no style in this. You just chop the head off and see the blood flow. How about changing it to something more interesting? Like...how about this? If anyone touches the participant, she starts to share the feelings of the participant. If the participant dies, so does that idiotic idiot. How about that?”

Mr. Isaac stared into Katie’s eyes. His mind turned rapidly in calculations. Finally, he decided the girl’s choice would be better for his own interest indeed.

“Fine. Anyone that touches the participant would share fate with the participant.”

Terry groaned and sat back into his seat. Brian threw him a begging look, but Terry looked away. There was nothing he could do without risking himself as well. There was no way he was doing that.

Katie, on the other hand, tried something very different.

“Hahahahahahah! Yes! Bravo!”

Taking a swift turn, she grabbed onto a chair and pulled it to in front of Caitlin. She quickly sat down and, before Caitlin could realize what happened, grabbed onto the blonde’s arm.

“Cheer up, sister! This is going to be really, really fun!”