1 - Exodus

The sudden ringing of the school bell had never sounded more liberating than it did today. It’s loud annoying blare usually reminding Daniel and his friends that they had completed yet another day of the mundane routine, only to face another a few hours later. But today this was not so. Today, they had become graduates and the bell had turned from one of requiem, to one of freedom.

       The student entrance doors became the mouth from which a torrent of graduates flowed like a tsunami. Shouts, screams, laughter and exclamations of happiness and liberation filled the afternoon air. Abraham Lincoln himself would be proud of such an exodus from a multi-year long imprisonment.

Amongst the crowds walked Daniel, Jess, Matt, and John. Matt and John were taller than Daniel and were your typical 18-year-old schoolboys: Fairly attractive, laddish, somewhat lanky but trying to look tough, and unshaven. They looked far too happy to be free from their educational chains. John and Matt had been friends with Daniel since their sentencing to this place, and had stuck by him through all the hardships a teenager going through puberty typically faces. They were typical boys with a typical friendship. Jess, was the youngest of the four and had only just joined them in adulthood. She was beautiful with long brown hair and deep blue eyes. Clearly she was in the company of those who didn’t deserve her. She cared very little for her relationship with John and Matt, and centered her attention and patience on Daniel mainly. They walked side by side, suspiciously close for a pair whom had never done so much as hold hands or exchange a passing glance, the kind that seemed to last an eternity. There was perhaps an inkling of something there however. Something they were perhaps blind to, but was clear to everyone else. Or maybe they had just repressed such feelings for the betterment of their friendship and school work? The excuses go on and on and the real reason will always be unknown, even to them.

            And so they walked as free men and women, through a surging stampede of wild graduates like themselves. Smiles on their faces and laughter screaming to escape. For this brief moment they had been reduced to the children they were when they first entered their imprisonment. For the past 7 years the scariest thing they have faced is the dull bareness or intimidating maelstrom of a whiteboard filled with endless writing. Now, they face the world. Infinite potential awaits them. Their choices here dictating their future. They have finally joined the chaos that seven billion others perpetuate and lose themselves in; the ant colony that is human life. But now is not the time for such thoughts, for them anyway, now is the time to ignore everything and relax. Alcohol will lead to drunken antics, the ecstasy of their childish excitement will lead them to memories that they will one day look back on fondly. Their whole lives lay ahead of them but they were not to care. Why should they? Caring is all they will do until the day they die.

            “Well, gentlemen, we’ve done it. Time served. We are free at last.” John remarks with the upmost satisfaction in his voice. Matt returns with the giddiness comparable to that of a child on their first day of school, “Seven years of torture is finally over! We have finally done it! And damn does it feel good!” They all laugh with excitement. “And surprisingly we all made it out mentally stable!” Daniel exclaims. “Well, not to sure about John over there!” Jess laughs. John looks at her with a disapproving but playful look. “Hey”, he argues, “I’ll have you know that I only cried three times during that last sociology exam!” His argument is immediately drowned by the retorts of his cohorts. “I counted four times” Shouts Daniel. “Maybe five times” Says Jess. “Definitely six” Concludes Matt with a laugh. John looks hurt but a smile creeps back onto his face eventually. “Well I’m sorry that I’m not a walking Google like you three appear to be!” He looks proud with this reply. “You’re forgiven” Matt says in a comforting manner as he pats John on the back. John shrugs it off with yet more laughter. Laughter seems to be all these four are capable of. Daniel moves the conversation forward, “Who cares now anyway? We’re done.” Jess doesn’t look so happy with her words, “Yeah, until Uni anyway.” The words bring dismay to John and Matt also. Daniel looks proud. “Lucky I’m not going then” He boasts. Matt immediately seeks to ruin his pride, “The perks of bumming out” he sneers. Daniel quickly fires back, “Says the aspiring teacher”. “What’s wrong with being a teacher?” Matt asks. “How long have you got?” This silences Matt. He shakes his head and laughs it off.

            Suddenly, as if they had almost walked in front of a speeding car, they halt. Two girls accompanied by two boys pass in front of them. Daniel, Jess, John and Matt track the four fellow graduates as they pass and continue watching them as they vanish into the crowds surrounding them. The two girls in the company were Kate and Charlotte. “Wow, we’ve been out five minutes and they’ve already hooked.” Matt says with disapproval but no surprise. Daniel is silent, his eyes captivated by the sight of one so beautiful as Kate. He is ignorant to Charlotte, who gives him a quick over the shoulder glance. Daniel simply stares at Kate who remains with her back to him. “They’re going to have fun at the party tonight”, John laughs. Daniel suddenly interrupts, “Hang on… What party” Daniel is met with the condescending gaze of Jess, John and Matt. Daniel looks at them innocently.

            The stampede of graduates dispersed with the setting of the sun. Evening had come at last and the time for celebrations was at hand. The warm summer evening could not have been better for such an occasion. The local clubs and bars played host to almost every ex-student that had left the local schools and colleges that day and you could easily pick them out from the standard crowds by their excitement. They could easily be mistaken for escaped convicts in their boorish behavior. The suburban neighborhoods were no better either. House all across the town were filled with drunken students. You could pick out which house hosted a party by the blaring and senseless music emanating from within. It is surprising from such a town and indeed such a country, that all the neighbors who would usually abhor such annoyance were actually being rather forgiving and reserved. They were passive and let the parties rage on regardless of the damage done to their own ear drums and minds. Perhaps the air of liberation about the town had spread to all within, or the thought of challenging a house filled with drunken ex-convicts was far too intimidating or challenging a prospect. Would you do it? With the knowledge that annihilation and humiliation were a possibility?

            On the far end of town was the house that hosted the very party Daniel had previously been oblivious to. It’s existence now known to him, and an invitation extended, he had made his way to the house with John, Jess, and Matt. Inside the house was utter chaos. To look at it would be a useless task; one would see simply a blur of poor dancing, kissing, vomiting, and shouting. The former remains of humans filled every room of the house and laid waste to it all. What would the ancient civilizations think of us if they could see this? They imagined we would be a species of intellect, order and respectability. This house was anything but this. It’s only worthy description is chaos. Utter destructive chaos.

            The back garden offered a somewhat safe haven from the destruction inside the house. The garden was lit up, with tables and chairs at the far end. Scattered around were the odd couple kissing senselessly, arguing, or vomiting. Daniel, John and Matt stood by the tables and chairs that had been set up at the end of the garden. It is surprising that the furniture still stood. The three are silent, all holding drinks, and looking at the house with fearful expressions.  

“So, are we actually going in there any time tonight” Daniel asks. John looks at him with terror in his eyes. “Are you kidding? You go in there and you’re not coming back out alive!” Daniel almost gulps. Matt ponders, “Think about it, inside those walls are hordes of drunken and vulnerable adolescent women. And we’re out here…. With that!” His last words are accompanied by the extension of his arm and his index finger, they draw to John and Daniel’s attention the sight of a puking man just a few feet away from them. The puke coming from the man’s mouth like an endless stream. Daniel and John look at it with disgust. “I think if we’re going to try it we should down at least one bottle of vodka each!” He says with an eerie smile. Daniel’s eyes still fixed on the vomiting man. Matt looks and John and smiles. “I’m sure there is some inside. Come on, lets have a go” He leads the way. A reluctant John follows. “Oh, this is going to end badly?” He says sheepishly. They both begin to walk towards the house, leaving Daniel behind. John stops and turns back to Daniel. The sound of the man vomiting makes their voices hard to hear. “Dan, you coming?” John shouts. Daniel shakes his head, “No. You go on ahead. I’ll be along soon enough”. Dan smiles at John and John returns the expression. John turns and follows Matt with the upmost caution.

            Daniel watches as they leave and gives a grim look to the still puking man. Daniel shakes his head at it and turns to walk down to a shaded end of the garden. He disappears into the darkness and stands alone with one hand holding a barely touched drink and one hand in his pocket. Daniel looks up at the starry night sky and begins to contemplate. He thinks over the past seven years and how it has all led to him standing alone on this night. He thinks of the good times, the bad times, and obsesses over them in his mind. He looks to the stars and wonders… Does it all matter? He looks at the stars quizzically as they silently make their way across the night sky, ignorant of him but seemingly staring back. Daniel is intimidated with curiosity. He stands for some time before a familiar and heart warming voice breaks his thoughts and the silence around him.

“Are you lost?” Asks the voice that belongs to Jess. Daniel turns his gaze from the stars and sees her standing a few feet away from him with a smile across her lips. She walks towards him and he cannot help but give a smile back. “Not now I’m not. What are you doing out here?” The two of them stand with their noses just inches apart. “Looking for you,” she replies, “Just saw Matt and John go in, you should be in there watching them get rejected by everything with a pulse.” Daniel laughs. “I have just experienced seven years of that.” He thinks back fondly and grins. “Well, tonight is your last chance.” Jess’s words wipe the grin from Daniels face and strike him. He can’t say why such simple words hit him so harshly. Does she mean something else? Am I missing something? Daniel and Jess look into each other’s eyes in absolute silence, ignorant of Charlotte’s envious eyes watching them from across the garden. Jess once again breaks the silence. “I’m going to miss you, you know. Well, all of you. Our little gang. You especially.” She smiles sadly. “I’m going to miss you” Daniel comforts with a reassuring smile. “Just- You never think it’s going to end. I mean, seven years together and now we’re separating. Matt to work, me and John to Uni and you- I don’t know…” Jess trails off. Daniel looks to the floor, as lost as she is. “That makes two of us.” He says solemnly. “You’re always drifting.” Daniel returns his gaze to her beautiful blue eyes and is pulled in to them. He feels he can say anything and do anything right now, but he is restricted. His own mind holding him back; his worst enemy as ever.

“Promise me you won’t let us grow apart” Jess commands. Daniel looks at her with a quizzical disapproval. “Why would I let that happen?” He asks. Jess looks at the floor. “I know you wouldn’t, but sometimes it just happens without you realizing. Promise me.” Daniel’s free hand touches her arm. “I promise. You know I do.” With this promise, Jess returns her eyes to Daniels and the two are once again staring into each others blue eyes. They seem entranced by one another. Suddenly, without warning or thought on their part, they both lean in for a kiss. They tilt their heads and just as they are about to press their lips together….

            “Woah! Steady on their, Jess!” Charlottes shouts pull them apart. They look ashamed and avoid eye contact with each other. Jess looks at Charlotte with a hidden annoyance. “Too early for that kind of stuff!” She continues. “Charlotte! How are you?” Jess tries to smile and be polite. She resists the temptation of simply shouting “F**K OFF.” Daniel busies his attention with the bushes that sit next to him, he looks them over with an empty interest whilst waiting for Charlotte to leave. “Not drunk enough! By the looks of things here, you are!” Charlotte laughs at an extremely irritating pitch which causes Daniel to flinch. Daniel looks at her angrily. “I’m not, I’ve had one” Jess replies. “Wow!” Charlotte shouts, “Then you really are a lightweight!” Jess forces a laugh and looks to Daniel whose discomfort is clear. They give each other a solemn look. “I’m going to head back in. I’ll see you later?” Jess says to Daniel. Daniel nods reluctantly and forces a smile. “Yeah, alright. Enjoy” Jess turns away and slowly leads Charlotte towards the house. Charlotte suddenly stops and turns back to look at Daniel. “Daniel, right?” Charlotte asks, continuing to test Daniels patience. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Daniel looks at her quizzically. “Oh, really? Do tell” His voice sounds as board as his face looks. Charlotte giggles again, “Another time maybe. There’s drinking to be done. Come inside with us!” She commands. Daniel shakes his head. “Maybe later” He utters. “Oh come on!” Charlotte raises her voice and almost wakes up Daniel. Jess watches them impatiently. “Don’t be boring! Have some fun, you only graduate once!” Charlotte gives Daniel an antagonizing smile, he feels inclined to agree just to get rid of her. With as much joy and enthusiasm as a two-year-old in a courtroom, Daniel nods. Charlotte exclaims once again, knocking Daniel back. “Good! Come on!” Charlotte charges forward, grabs Daniel’s arm, and pulls him towards her. Charlotte and Daniel run into the house leaving Jess in their dust. Jess sighs and follows along.

            A great deal of time later, the party rages on. The inside of the house is complete and utter destructive chaos. A senseless crowd of rampaging apes drinking, smoking, shouting, singing, kissing " unordered and uncontrollable - a stampede of savagery that was previously human. One would think they were observing a pack of wild animals rather than future university students. Amongst the chaotic crowds is John and Matt who are partaking in the savagery along with Jess and Charlotte who have mixed themselves in the chaos. Daniel makes his way through the living room as an explorer would through a perilous and unknown jungle. Eventually he reaches the partial safety of the kitchen. This room is littered with drunken stragglers who have retreated from the battleground to search for yet more alcohol, drugs, or to find a mate. Daniel comes to the table and rests against it, he lets out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, Kate stumbles into the room and staggers her way to the fridge. She pulls it open and almost falls into it. Daniel watches, captivated by her drunken beauty. He holds back laughter. Kate moans and slams the fridge door shut.

“Urgh! No Vodka… ANYWHERE!” She falls back against the fridge. “God I hate people. You bring your own booze and everyone helps themselves!” Against her will, her head turns to look at Daniel. She gives him a confused look. Daniel looks back innocently " panicking inside. “Hey” Kate mumbles. “Hey” Daniel utters back. He struggles to speak out of fear, she struggles to speak out of vodka induced inability. “I’m Kate… A woman” Daniel laughs. “Yes, I can see that. I’m Daniel. A man” Kate stares at him with confusion and twists her gaze. “I’m trying to see that” She says. “Thanks, I guess” Daniel replies " still uttering his words. A few seconds and an awkward silence pass and Kate struggles to focus her eyes. “You’re- You’re Jess’s friend aren’t you?” Kate mumbles. “I hope so” Daniel replies with a nervous laugh. “You know Matt, right” Kate asks. “Yep, assuming we’re on about the same guy.” Kate’s stomach growls. “I think I may need to be sick” Kate almost falls over as she stands up and makes her way out of the kitchen like a paralyzed zombie. Daniel is left bewildered and a nervous wreck, he shrugs the strange encounter off, stands up, and enters the chaotic crowds once again with a deep breath.

Yet more time passes and with it the rampancy has ensued long past the night and into the early hours of the morning. Daniel has retreated to one side of the living room, where the destruction and people are minimal, and he now quietly observes the savages as they dance around senselessly and endlessly. Daniel watches them. Observing. Analyzing. Concluding. Wondering. He takes the smallest of sips from a glass of water as stares at the crowded mess of ex-humans. His concentration is suddenly broken by a familiar scream and the sound of wood shattering. Daniel, and the rest of the house, turn their attention immediately to the foot of the stairs: In a heap of splintered and broken wood debris, lays John. John looks at the remains of the coffee table he had parked himself on so violently, and releases a violent sounding burp. Daniel sighs.

Daniel, John and Matt stagger through the darkened maze of streets that lead to their homes. The occasional circular orb of dim orange light is offered by the few street lamps dotted about the complex. Daniel looks seemingly bored and remains silent whilst Matt and John mumble and ramble on senselessly. Daniel interrupts them. “Now, there are a lot of questions about tonight that I would like to ask. But the one that strikes me most, is how in god’s name did you manage to fall down the stairs and break a table with your arse?!” John laughs. “It was that pricks fault!” He points a finger at Matt and nearly hits him in the face with it. “Sod off!” Matt shouts back. “You touched the girl!” John retorts “She said she was up for it!” “She…. Was a bloke!” Matt cries as he nearly trips on his own foot. Daniel keeps the two from charging at each other and tackling themselves to the ground in a drunken stupor. “It is your fault my arse is now broken! Stupid stairs getting in the way!” John whines. Daniel sighs. “You realize you’re probably going to have to pay for the table right?” He says. “They will never know it was me!” Matt looks somewhat proud as he says this. Daniel gives him a stern look, “Everyone knows it was you. It wasn’t exactly covert.” John moans. “Can we just get my arse some medicine before we have the court case!?” Silence descends on the trio but it is soon broken by the dread inducing growl of John’s stomach. John’s eyes widen in horror. “Oh dear.” No sooner has he finished his sentence than he was spewing the liquid contents of his stomach all over the pavement. Matt tries to laugh but he himself is silenced by that dreaded growling. “Oh shi-” Matt joins John in ejecting vomit all over the pavement and road. Daniel steps back so as to avoid the jet of sick. Daniel watches them without pity; clearly unimpressed. “Every time” He sighs as they continue to vomit long into the morning.