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Gah!

S- so strong. I thought for sure a dozen of us would be enough, but she wiped the floor with us...

Blyat'! Even weak cubs like you want to play bully? It'll take more than that.

*Spit*, go. Just you wait, General Zima, this isn't over!

Honestly, I like the name 'General Zima.'

It's badass.

But these punks always come at me while I'm trying to nap. Don't they know I usually skip afternoon class?

Err, thanks, General Zima.

Huh? You're still here? You didn't run away?

I wanted to thank you this time.

This time?

Oh, you don't recognize me? My name is Valeria. This isn't the first time you've had to save me.

Now that she mentions it, the yellow bow in this girl's hair does look familiar.

Was it last week? Or last month? I'm pretty sure I helped her, yeah.

You saved my friends too. We're all so thankful to you.

Looking at her bright, shiny face, some of her happiness infects me. But I still have to keep up appearances.

I just can't stand these shitheads pushing the little people around.

And you need to work up some courage. If you were braver, they'd be the ones scared of you.

Yes... You're right. I'll try.

Good. Now get out of here.

Bye. And thanks again!

She yells back as she runs off.

Hm?

Is it just me, or is everything in the classroom much dirtier than it was?

Eh, whatever. Back to my nap.

I pull four chairs together and lay down.

What's that?

My back is pressing into something.

I reach behind me and pull out a yellow bow.

It looks so familiar. But it's dirty, and one side is broken.

Huh?!

The back of the bow is stained a dark black color, like...

Blood.

...It must be ketchup.

I toss the bow aside and go back to sleep.

But before I can slip into my slumber, I hear a voice.

You found this bow later, in one of the classrooms.

Admit it, you know she is dead.

The classroom door suddenly flies open, interrupting my nap.

A girl with glasses walks in, carrying a book. I can tell from her uniform that she doesn't go to this school.

Excuse me, is anyone else here?

This is my territory. I'm the only one allowed in.

Sorry, but my friends and I are looking for shelter...

Um, are you... Sonya?

You're... Anna?

Anna used to be my neighbor. I haven't seen her in years, since we moved, but...

Take another classroom.

Honestly, she asked nicely, and it's not like we didn't get along before. I don't really want to turn her down.

But things have gotten rough among the kids here since the first fire. I had to fight off three gangs today alone.

I know this might bother you, Sonya, but...

There's only one inside, Anna. Let's just chase her away.

Oh, okay. Time for another fight.

Then we'd be no different from the robbers. That isn't us.

...Anna's the same as she ever was. A peacemaker.

Right. Um, I'm Lada, and I'm a pretty good cook. What if I made you something to eat in return for letting us hide here?

I have to say, that's a pretty tempting offer. It's been a while since I've had something that didn't just come out of a can.

Okay. You can stay. But watch your step. I'm Sonya. And you don't mess with me.

Did she just say Sonya...? Is that actually 'General Zima?!'

She's famous even over at our school. She's easily the strongest girl in the district.

No way... sounds like we lucked out.

I have to say, I enjoy the acclaim. But the best part is seeing the face of a good girl like Anna turn upside down when she hears it.

Thank you, Sonya. We'll try not to bother you.

...Damn. No reaction. Lame.

After I give my permission, she leads her whole caravan in.

The first bunch are a mix of girls and boys. Their clothes are pretty ragged, their hair all messy, and they clearly haven't slept in days.

Then behind them...

What the hell?!

A bunch of empty, floating school uniforms?!

And at the very back of the crowd is me.

Floating sailor suits, huh? That's quite a coping mechanism.

What are you talking about?! I mean, who even are you?!

I'm you. And you're dreaming, idiot.

Mmh. Agh.

That makes sense. Something like this has to be a dream... But why did I just call myself an idiot?!

I mean, at least it's better than a bunch of headless zombies.

What do you mean? Why would there be headless zombies?

Because you killed them all.

Why would I do that?

Because they were going to attack you. Weren't they, Istina?

There was no other way. They forced your hand.

Right. As long as there's a good reason for it, violence is okay. That's how I roll.

Is that really what you think?

I always believed I was doing the right thing.

This is pretty weird, even for a dream. My doppelganger is having a conversation with a girl I barely know, as if they're old friends. But all reason tells me they're both just figments of my imagination.

That reminds me, shouldn't I have woken up as soon as I realized I was in a dream?

The instant that thought pops into my head, everyone in the room but my doppelganger and the floating uniforms turn to fix their eyes on me.

Every face bears a twisted smile.

They surround me.

You are our leader. You should stay here. You should lead us.

I try to find the other me.

But she's gone.

Ugh...

My eyes shoot open.

The room around me is still the classroom. It's late at night. The others are asleep. I'm slumped up against the door.

There is another door, but I barricaded it with my desk. The windows have all been sealed. The door next to me is the only way in or out.

I am their leader. I have to protect them.

You can't sleep, Sonya?

I hear Anna's voice nearby.

It's been three days since she and her partner joined us. There was some unpleasantness in that time, but Anna sided with me in the end.

Yes. I had a nightmare.