Chapter 4.

***There's a polite smattering applause as a blond ponytail girl in a cheerleading uniform jogs onstage from the wings. She takes her place Infront of the micro phone, adjusting it six inches higher before beaming a hundred watts smile at the crowd.

"Oh yay." Chase slumps down in his seat and let's his bangs fall over his eyes."The queen of the royalty is getting ready to hold court."

"How are we doing today, guys!" Dana's voice is high pitched and slightly screechy. "Are you ready to see some bags get STOMPED this Friday?" she claps as the crowd erupts into whoops and whistles. "This year, we've got Biff Marchetti as as captain, so it's sure to be a bloodbath. Biff, where are you?" Dana shades her eyes from the spotlight and peers into the crowd. A large kid with not much of a neck stands up and flexes his thick, leather-jacketed biceps. "As you probably already know, Biff's speciality weapon is the double chainsaw. So doors open at six, and don't forget to bring a canned good for the food drive! Go Fire Ants! Wooooo!"

When traveling between sectors became too risky for anyone other than military or medical personnel (around 4 A.Z. or so), that pretty much put an end to traditional high school football. Since then, area bagging -- Sort of a mix between ancient Roman gladiators and a comically exaggerated military combat zone -- has become the new American pastime. And the homecoming scrimmage is the biggest arena bagging event of the year. I've never actually seen a game in person,but I imagine it must be pretty amazing.

Dana claps and kicks one tan leg into the air as nine more cheerleaders gather behind her on the stage, along with the official Zeta High Fire Ant Mascot, Sparky. But poor Sparky looks more like a top-heavy brown snowman than anything resembling an ant. He points a large, red Styrofoam flame at the crowd and half-heartedly shakes his round bottom section as the cheerleaders begin kicking and flipping, and jazz handing their way through Jerry Lee Lewis' Great Ball Of Fire in a cheesy unison.

"Wow -- it's really like High School Musical," I whisper to chase. "Except this is way more embarrassing to watch."

"Oh my God," he says, mouth hanging open in disbelieve. "Nick's gonna be so sorry he missed this."

As the performance comes to a merciful close, Principal Gupta again approaches the microphone.

"Wow, that was one spectacular routine, wasn't it?" He pauses for one more applause, but the auditorium is awkwardly silent.

I wonder if it would be funny to start screaming and clapping. Will the crowd get it or think that I am insane?

Heck, am in high school, so I might as well have some fun, right? Besides, neither the principal nor the cheerleaders can get angry about someone showing some school spirit.

"WHOOO! That fire ant is HOT! WHOOO!" I shout clapping and jumping.

"Jane! what the? chill!" Chase looks horrified.

There is a good amount of laughter from the crowd and even the cheerleaders smile up at me, although, perhaps a bit uncertainly.

Chase laughs and punches me gently on the arm.

"Okay, well then, I'd like to welcome our new class for first years. I encourage all second and third year student to help them out this first week with finding their classes and adjusting to the way things work around here. I'm sure you remember what a big change it all is."

"Baaaaiiitt," Someone behind me drawls.

"All students must take a core subject each year, including science, Physical Education, and History. You all should have received your individual schedules by now. And through you may excel in one particular area, I urge everyone to give their best effort in each subject. Remember," principal Gupta pauses dramatically here, raising his arms as if to embrace the entire student body in a bear hug. "You are the future of humanity. Each one of you is responsible for staying alive. If I had to grow up under circumstances like this...." Here his voice breaks and he brings a balled fist up to his mouth. He pauses and shakes his head. "I'm sorry. I really don't know how you kids do it."

I cringe uncomfortably, hoping he doesn't start bawling like a baby. But he clears his throat and continues on.

"I also want to remind everyone to practice caution at all times .We do our best to keep the school as safe as possible, but unfortunately the threat of infection is ever present. If you or someone you know get bitten -- or ever scattered -- go to the health office immediately. As you all know, AZ--922 has shown promise with level 2 scratches and treat bites up to level 7. But it must be administered quickly. The longer you wait, the less likely it is to work."

"Tammy Yoder is a fecto!" someone shouts, following by chorus of laughter. Principal Gupta glares into the darkness.

"Infection is nothing to be ashamed of, people. But if you insist on hiding it, It's just a matter of time before you get infected again, and again. And before you know it, you're undead. Understand?"

His question is met with silence, but I know that I and everyone else around me are thinking the same thing: There's no way I'd admit to it. I'd rather die than have everyone know that I'm fecto. And yeah, sure, it's a dumb and potentially way of thinking, but it's simple human nature: no one wants to admit to being the kid with cooties. I've heard all the stories from Chase. Even if the vaccine works for me, it still means permanent social Suicide, as Tammy Yoder could testify. Principal Gupta clears his throat.

"Moving on: we operate on a bullet - based merit system here . That means if you do well on an assignment, you get a bullet. If you show your strength and courage in PE, you get a bullet. Likewise, we will confiscate bullets for negative behaviour. But as you all know, in accordance with sector law, minors are allowed firearms only in supervised situations. Speaking of which, we are looking for a new first*** period corridor monitor. Monitors are in charge ***of scanning and apprehending anyone exhibiting infection or other suspect behaviour. You'll be paired with Val Killmeade. Val can you stand up?"

principal Gupta gestures to a girl in the third row, who rises reluctantly to face the rest of the auditorium. Her freckled face is framed by a halo of short red braids that make her hair to be on fire. Someone at the back wolf whistles, and another clown makes a crude, flatulent noise. Val scowls and sits back as wave of laughter travels across the audience. Principal Gupta taps on his microphone for attention.

"Alright, everybody. Val is one of our most experienced monitors, so any first year who is interested will be in good hands. I shouldn't have to remind you all that this is an excellent training opportunity. So do I have any volunteers?"

"I think he means any suckers?" Chase murmurs under his breath.

I look at my class schedule and see that I have first period study hall. What a yawn I have to admit that haunting Meatbags every morning would be sweet, but am hesitant to call attention to myself so early in my high school career. Clearly corridor monitoring is not the fast track to popularity.

"Anyone? Anyone at all?" There's a hit of description in principal Gupta's voice as he scans the crowd."Did I mention you get to carry a loaded riffle?"

Please like 👍

Subscribe ♥️ and share your comments.😊

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***