It all happened so fast. This day started off like any other; same boring classes in the morning with History and Auto Shop to brighten and finish the day. He was working on a transmission when the lights went out. The sound of metal clinging could be heard throughout the room as wrenches, screwdrivers, and drills fell to the floor, followed closely by outbursts of annoyed students. The teacher, Mr. Randy didn't say anything and when one student asked for an explanation; silence was returned. 

"Alright guys," Braden began in his loud, country drawl," turn on your flashlights if you got 'em." He shined his own pocket flashlight around the room while exclaiming, "Mr. Randy, you in here?" The lights bounced off exposed engines, tool racks, and worried faces, however, Mr. Randy was no where to be found. [i] Damn, where did he go? [/i] "Someone check his office," Braden ordered. He could tell through the wondws at the top of the garage doors that it was dark outside as well. [i] What the hell? [/i]

A cold chill soon descended on the classroom. [i] Well that doesn't help much, [/i] he thought while rubbing his arms. A classmate came back from the office with less-than-stellar news. "Well, shit," he muttered to himself. Soon after, however,  another student opened the door to the autoshop explaining what he could and telling everyone to go to the auditorium. [i] What the hell? Disappearing teachers, an eclipse, and no lights? What is this; the end of the world? Either way going to the auditorium seems to be the best idea right now. [/i]

"Well you heard the man, everyone to the auditorium, let's go," Braden exclaimed.

"Hey Braden, who put in charge," came a voice from somewhere in the dark. 

"Really bro? You;re gonna be that guy? Look, if you got a better idea, by all means come forward, but if not then shut the hell up. You can stand in the dark by yourself if you want, but you've seen the horror movies. You You know what happens to assholes that follow their own rules. So I'll ask you, you got a better idea?" Silence was the answer. " I thought so, Now everyone, get moving and watch your step!" Braden made his way to the door and allowed everyone else to exit first before he followed.

As he passed the threshold, an excruciating screech had Braden drop his flashlight and put him on his knees. 

[i] That man was a coward! [/i]

[i] He left us to die! [/i]

[i] He's the scum of the Earth [/i]

[i] I'm glad he was shot in the back! [/i]

"No, no! Shut up, shut up!" Braden exclaimed. The voices and screech finally subsided and Braden found himself lying in the fetal position, clenching the dogtags around his neck. He looked around and saw his flashlight next to him, shining a light down the hall. Nothing was moving. He slowly gathered himself up, grabbed his light source, and started jogging down the hall towards the auditorium. Hopefully he could catch up to everyone else. 

He rounded several hallways before coming one that led to his destination. Audible shouts and whimpers could be heard beyond the hallway, but then it's hard to muffle the sound of 5000 teenagers. He saw dots of light through the open door with two people standing in the doorway; a female, [i] Robyn was it? [/i] and a male, [i] Jack, I think. [/i]He couldn't tell exactly from the little bit of light there was. "Hey, don't forget about me!" Braden finished the job to the duo, and as he reached them, their own light began spilling onto him, showing his toned build, sun-tanned skin, and grease-covered overalls. "Is everything ok? Well, as ok as we can get?"