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💀 Chapter 1 — The First Attack at St. Pius
From morning, everything felt alive.
The sky over Kuttikanam burned bright orange, and the hills glowed after last night's mysterious Blood Moon — the one everyone said would change the world.
People had talked about it for weeks.
Scientists called it a rare lunar eclipse combined with polar radiation.
Old villagers whispered that it was the "Blood of the Moon," a sign of disaster.
And yet, no one believed it could actually change the Earth.
Until now.
The sun was hotter than ever. The birds were missing. The air itself felt heavier — but inside St. Pius X School, life went on.
---
The students of Class 8B, all twenty-seven of them, proudly called themselves Crazy 27.
Their laughter echoed through the corridors as they prepared for annual day rehearsals.
"Hey Dev!" shouted Rafi, the class clown, "Your dance looks like a zombie walk already!"
Dev threw a chalk back at him. "Better than your face, bro!"
Arjun, sitting quietly near the window with his notebook, muttered, "You both laugh too much for a day like this. Did you notice the sun? It's red again… even after the eclipse."
Neha, the class techie, frowned at her laptop. "The entire Kerala network is down. All connections show error codes. Even the weather app crashed."
Diya smiled softly, taping the chart to the wall. "Don't stress, Neha. It's just the Blood Moon hangover."
The twin brothers, Kiran and Ajay, dragged desks around, setting up the stage props. "We'll make this look better than the 9th graders' show!" said Kiran proudly.
At the back, Vivek teased Meera, who was staring outside. "Still thinking about your science theories?"
She didn't answer — her eyes were locked on the forest. "Look at that fog. It's red."
---
Teacher Sudhamma, walking in, clapped her hands. "Alright, 8B! Practice properly, not like monkeys!"
The class laughed, except Arjun, who looked up and said, "Miss, the Blood Moon last night… do you think it can change weather this fast?"
Sudhamma smiled nervously. "Arjun, sometimes nature reminds us who's in control. Just focus on your lines."
In the hallway, Teacher Nirmala was talking to Teacher Nithya, whispering about power cuts and emergency messages.
Even Alakasri Miss from 9th grade was looking outside, worried.
> Nithya (whispering): "They said something's happening near the border towns… people fainting."
Nirmala: "It's just rumors, hopefully…"
---
The school was full of life — 8th and 9th graders running around, laughter from every corner.
Udip bro and Karthik bro, both seniors from 9th, were playing football outside.
"Crazy 27!" shouted Udip. "Come see real sports, not your funny dance!"
Dev yelled back, "Wait till evening — our show will kill it!"
No one knew how true that word kill would become.
---
By 3 PM, the heat rose so high that even the walls seemed to sweat.
Fans stopped spinning. The generator failed.
The teachers looked uneasy now.
Meera whispered, "The temperature… it jumped again."
Neha looked at her screen. "Solar radiation's off the charts. The Blood Moon energy — it's still in the air."
Outside, the sky darkened slightly — the same color as last night's eclipse.
Then came the scream.
From the front gate.
Everyone rushed to the window.
A man in uniform — the security guard — was staggering, blood dripping from his arm.
Karthik bro ran toward him with another 9th grader, shouting, "Uncle, what happened?"
The guard turned slowly — his eyes pale white, veins black — and lunged at Karthik.
The teachers screamed.
Students backed away from the windows.
Sudhamma Miss shouted, "Everyone get inside! Lock the doors!"
---
Desks crashed.
Chairs slammed against the doors.
The cheerful morning vanished in seconds.
From outside came the sound of more footsteps — dragging, uneven, and fast.
Zara, peeking through the window, whispered, "There's more… they're coming from the hill road."
The screams of the 9th graders echoed through the compound.
Arjun grabbed a metal rod. "Dev, Kiran — help me block this side!"
Ajay and Vivek pulled a cupboard against the broken window.
Neha opened her laptop again, trying to reach the police. Nothing.
"Every network's dead," she whispered.
Diya hugged a crying girl, Sneha, whispering, "It's okay… we're safe here. We have to be."
Rafi, his voice shaking, joked weakly, "Crazy 27… now officially trapped 27."
No one laughed this time.
---
The light flickered, then died completely.
Only the red glow from the sunset lit the walls.
Outside, the moaning grew louder.
Something slammed into the main door — once, twice, three times.
Sudhamma Miss whispered a prayer. "Oh God, protect these children…"
Blood began dripping from the crack near the handle.
The classroom filled with silence — the kind that hurts to breathe in.
Then a single voice broke it — Hari, writing slowly in his diary by flashlight.
> "November 9, 2025.
The Blood Moon never left.
The air burns. The dead walk.
Our school isn't a school anymore.
It's a cage."
The door shook again.
Dev raised his bat. Arjun stepped forward beside him.
The others held their breath.
And in that moment — the sound of glass exploding filled the hall.
Something entered.
Screams tore through the silence.
That was the night St. Pius X School stopped being a school…
and Crazy 27 began their fight to survive.
---Chapter 2 — The Escape Unit
The echoes of the first attack still haunted the school halls.
Smoke drifted through the corridors, mixed with the stench of blood and burning wires. The 27 students of Class 8 — the Crazy 27 — gathered near the back exit, eyes filled with terror and determination.
Arjun stood near the window, watching the empty playground below.
The sunset reflected off the metal swings, making them creak like ghosts.
> Arjun: "The back door leads straight to the ground. We can move quietly from there."
Sudhamma Miss nodded. "Yes. But first we must reach the LKG block — the little ones are still trapped."
The group froze for a moment.
The LKG–UKG classrooms were 300 meters away, across the open ground. Zombies wandered between the slides and benches.
No one wanted to face that walk.
> Dev (gripping his rod): "If we don't save them, no one will."
Karthik bro: "Alright. Half of us go with Miss Sudhamma and Miss Nithya to the LKG block. The rest guard here."
Udip bro: "We'll watch from the staff room window and guide you."
The plan was made — fast and desperate.
The school's once-friendly layout now felt like a maze of death.
---
The rescue team moved silently through the playground, crouched low.
The sound of a swing moving in the wind made everyone flinch.
One zombie, a former gardener, stumbled toward them, dragging his shovel.
Arjun held his breath, motioning to stop.
They hid behind the water tank until it passed.
At the far end, the LKG block stood — small, colorful, and quiet.
Through the window, faint cries could be heard.
> Nirmala Miss (whispering): "They're alive."
They broke open the door carefully.
Tiny children huddled under the desks, crying.
The moment they saw the teachers, they ran into their arms.
> Little child (sobbing): "Miss, monsters outside…"
Sudhamma Miss: "It's alright, dear. We'll protect you."
They wrapped the little ones in blankets, calming them, whispering softly as the others stood guard.
Outside, a shadow moved — then another.
The air grew heavier.
> Arjun: "They've seen us. Move!"
They carried the children and ran, hearts pounding, across the playground toward the 12th block.
Behind them, the zombies howled — some fast, some crawling, but all chasing.
At the stairs to the 12th block, Udip bro and Karthik bro swung bats and pipes, striking the first attackers.
The door slammed shut as everyone rushed inside.
The 12th block was strong — reinforced with metal gates and thick walls.
They pushed desks against every door, blocking the entry.
The children were safe, for now.
---
Inside the dim classroom, the survivors gathered — tired, sweating, shaking.
> Nithya Miss: "We can't stay here long. We need food, water, and a way out."
Karthik bro: "The staff room has a master key. If we get it, we can open the science wing door — it leads to the hill road."
The Crazy 27 exchanged looks.
Their fear was fading, replaced by courage.
> Arjun: "Then we move in teams. Half guard the kids. Half go with me. We find that key and our escape."
Thunder rumbled outside.
The red glow of the Blood Moon began to rise again over Kuttikanam.
The apocalypse was far from over —
and the survivors of St. Pius were just beginning their fight.
---
Chapter 3 — The Staff Room Mission
The red moonlight poured through broken windows, painting the hallways in blood-colored light.
The Crazy 27 were no longer just students — they were soldiers of survival.
Inside the 12th block, the rescued LKG children were finally asleep, their tiny faces calm under torchlight. The teachers whispered plans while the older students cleaned wounds and checked supplies.
> Sudhamma Miss: "We've blocked every entry here, but we can't hide forever. The master key is in the staff room. If we get that, we can open any door in the school — including the hill-side gate."
Arjun: "Then I'll lead the mission. We'll move through the back staircase of the 8th corridor — it's closest to the staff room."
Karthik bro, Udip bro, Neha, Rafi, and Nithya Miss volunteered to go with him.
The others stayed back to guard the little ones and fortify the 12th block.
---
They moved out silently, stepping through the dark halls.
The floor was cracked with dried blood. Lockers were broken.
Every sound echoed like a whisper from another world.
They reached the 8th corridor, passing their old classroom.
Arjun stopped for a moment — their drawings still hung on the board, now torn and burnt.
> Neha (softly): "Feels like years ago, doesn't it?"
Arjun: "We'll bring this place back one day… I promise."
---
When they reached the staff room, they found the door half-open.
Inside, it was silent — papers scattered, fans still spinning slowly.
A bunch of keys hung on the wall.
As Arjun reached for them, a faint voice came from behind.
> Voice: "Who's there?"
Everyone froze.
It wasn't a zombie — it was a human voice!
They turned, flashlights trembling — and saw Principal Arpitha, alive but exhausted, sitting near the window with a group of students.
Around her were children from 6th and 7th, and even younger ones — 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th classes. Some cried softly; others looked half-starved.
> Principal Arpitha (weakly): "You're from 8th… Thank God. We've been trapped here since yesterday morning."
Nithya Miss: "Ma'am! We thought everyone here was gone!"
The students rushed forward, helping them.
Two older boys from 12th Science stood guard near the door, holding metal rods.
They had blood on their shirts but determination in their eyes.
> 12th Student (Rahul): "We've been protecting them. But food's running out. The zombies roam near the main office."
Arjun: "We came for the master key. If we can reach the hill gate, we can take everyone to safety."
Principal Arpitha: "Then take it, Arjun. You've got courage. Lead them."
Arjun took the key and saluted slightly — not as a student, but as a survivor leader.
---
Suddenly, a crash thundered from the next corridor — glass breaking, metal scraping.
The zombies had found them.
> Karthik bro: "They're here!"
Udip bro: "Everyone move! Seniors first, carry the little ones!"
The 12th Science group and Crazy 27 formed a wall of defense, blocking the door as the teachers led the younger ones out.
The creatures slammed against the walls, moaning horribly.
> Arjun (shouting): "Go! I'll hold this door!"
Nithya Miss: "No one stays behind, Arjun!"
Together they pushed desks against the door, holding it as long as possible before running down the stairs toward the 12th block.
---
By the time they reached the 12th building, the survivors cheered.
Children from all classes — 1st to 12th — were now reunited under one roof.
Teachers wept with relief.
Principal Arpitha looked around the crowded classroom and spoke, her voice breaking slightly.
> Principal Arpitha: "You all are the heart of this school… No matter what happens, remember — St. Pius stands strong."
Arjun looked out the window at the red moon rising again.
The playground glowed with flames in the distance.
But for the first time since the apocalypse began, he felt something stronger than fear — hope.
They now had the key.
They had a plan.
And they had each other.
Tomorrow, they would begin the Breakout.
Chapter 4 — The Breakout
The night was hotter than ever.
Smoke from the burning hills drifted across Kuttikanam, and the red moon still hung above like a curse that refused to fade.
Inside the 12th block, everyone was awake.
No one could sleep — not with the growling outside the walls.
Arjun stood near the window, gripping the master key in his hand.
Beside him were Karthik bro, Udip bro, Neha, Rafi, and Nithya Miss.
Around them sat the rest of the Crazy 27 — Niya, Meera, Anjali, Hiba, Varsha, Tina, and Devika, helping teachers comfort the smaller children.
Some wiped tears from the LKG kids' faces; others bandaged cuts with torn uniforms.
Sheela Miss and Geetha Devi Miss, the brave teachers from the 10th classes, worked beside Sudhamma Miss and Nirmala Miss to organize everyone into small groups.
> Geetha Devi Miss: "Some parents may still be out there waiting… we can't just hide here forever."
Arjun: "We won't. Tonight, we move."
Principal Arpitha nodded, her face pale but determined.
> Arpitha: "We'll send a message. If anyone's listening, we'll tell them where we are."
---
The teachers gathered a few working phones and the school's emergency radio from the lab room.
The power was gone, but Rahul from 12th Science managed to fix the battery pack using wires and a torchlight cell.
Niya and Meera helped clean the mic and adjust the antenna using metal rods from broken windows.
Static hissed.
Then — a faint government voice came through:
> "This is Kochi Metro Control. Survivors, repeat your message. All rescue units are mobilizing."
The room went silent for a moment — then Sheela Miss leaned forward, her hands trembling.
> Sheela Miss: "This is St. Pius X School, Kuttikanam. We have survivors — students and teachers from LKG to 12th. We need evacuation. Please respond!"
A pause. Then the reply came, broken but clear:
> "Copy that. Kochi Metro Station has become the central rescue hub. If you can reach the valley road, we'll send vehicles from Ernakulam Highway. Keep your radio active."
Everyone looked at each other — they finally had a direction.
---
By early dawn, they were ready.
Each student carried a small bag — food, bottles, or first-aid kits.
Anjali and Hiba carried first aid.
Tina and Varsha wrapped the younger children in old blankets so they wouldn't get scratched.
Niya tied her scarf around her wrist like a band — a small reminder of courage.
> Arjun: "We'll move through the back exit near the playground. The zombies are thick near the main gate, but the hill path is open for now."
Sudhamma Miss: "I'll lead the first group with the children."
Sheela Miss: "Geetha, you and I will take the middle section."
Arpitha: "Arjun, you and Crazy 27 guard the rear."
The red sun was rising as they unlocked the hill gate.
The wind carried the faint sound of cries and distant explosions — the world beyond the school was breaking apart.
The first group stepped out onto the slope.
For a moment, there was peace — until they heard the shriek.
From the lower path, a swarm of zombies came crawling through the mist, dozens of them, running faster than before.
> Rafi: "They found us again!"
Karthik bro: "Move the kids up! Don't stop!"
Niya, Meera, and Anjali ran beside the LKG kids, holding their hands as they climbed the slope.
Varsha and Hiba helped Sheela Miss carry the smaller ones.
The boys — Arjun, Udip bro, and Rahul — formed a shield with rods and sticks, fighting back anything that got close.
The survivors rushed toward the upper road.
The teachers shouted directions while the students covered one another.
Blood splashed the stones. The air was thick with dust and screams.
In the chaos, Nithya Miss almost slipped, but Udip bro caught her arm and pulled her to safety.
Meera screamed as a zombie lunged from the side — but Niya swung a metal pipe and knocked it down, saving her.
They reached the outer gate — the final barrier between the school and the open valley.
> Arjun (panting): "Everyone through! Hurry!"
The last few pushed through just as Arjun and Niya slammed the gate behind them.
Dozens of zombies crashed against the metal, roaring in hunger — but this time, they were trapped inside.
For a long moment, nobody spoke. Only the heavy breathing of survivors filled the morning air.
Then, Principal Arpitha lifted the radio again.
> Arpitha: "This is St. Pius X… We made it out. Heading toward Kochi valley road."
Radio voice: "Copy that. Proceed carefully. Stay together. Help is waiting at Kochi Metro Station."
Arjun turned to the group — muddy, bruised, but alive.
The morning sun painted their faces gold through the smoke.
> Arjun: "We're not safe yet. But we made it out of the school. That's the first step."
The red moon began to fade behind the rising sun.
The apocalypse wasn't over — but the survivors of St. Pius had begun their journey.
They were no longer just students and teachers.
They were The Last Unit — the hope of Kuttikanam.
---
Chapter 5: The Road to Kochi
The next morning, a pale mist covered the hills of Kuttikanam. The once-busy school grounds were silent except for the soft footsteps of the survivors preparing to leave.
The radio crackled again —
> "All survivors… government rescue camp located at Kochi Metro Station. Please reach safely. Avoid main highways. Repeat…"
Everyone listened in silence. Principal Arpitha, her face pale but steady, looked at the group.
> Arpitha Miss: "From Kuttikanam to Kochi… it's nearly 100 kilometers. But we can't wait anymore. We move today."
Sheela Miss: "There's a school jeep behind the lab. It looks undamaged."
Geetha Devi Miss: "But where are the drivers?"
They searched the compound — no adults, no staff, no drivers. Only silence.
> Karthik bro: "Then we'll drive it ourselves. Some of us from 12th know how to handle the gear."
Udip bro: "I've seen my father drive. I can manage."
Principal Arpitha: "Alright. The 12th-grade students will drive. They're our only chance now."
---
They quickly checked the jeep — tires half-flat, engine covered in dust — but Rahul, one of the 12th Science boys, managed to start it after some work.
> The sound of the engine echoed through the empty valley — a small sign of hope.
They planned their route:
The jeep would carry the younger children (LKG to 4th) and the injured.
The others would follow on foot through side roads, avoiding open highways.
> Azel: "We move in groups. The jeep leads. If we get blocked, we cut through the forest path."
Rena: "Let's just pray we make it to Kochi alive."
---
The group began the journey — walking beside the jeep as it rolled carefully down the mountain road.
The air smelled of burning wood from distant towns. Now and then, they saw abandoned buses and cars along the route — silent reminders of what once was.
By afternoon, they stopped near a half-broken petrol pump to rest.
The younger ones drank from bottles while the older students refilled the jeep's tank with leftover fuel.
> Geetha Devi Miss: "We'll rest here for ten minutes. Then keep moving — we must cross the forest before dark."
Azel: "Kochi is still far… but every kilometer means one step closer to safety."
---
That night, they camped near an old bus stop.
The 12th graders guarded the area while the teachers comforted the smaller children. The sound