Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 199 The Last Lesson

In the morning, I had a slight urge to skip class.

The California sun is very strong.

In the backyard, the poppies were in full bloom.

There was a smell of smoke in the air; I wonder where the mountain is burning again.

My parents have already packed their luggage.

My younger brother also put the cat into the carrier.

They said they would drive there at noon and arrive at their grandfather's house in New Mexico by dawn.

“Your dad doesn’t want you to go back to school,” Mom said from the kitchen, “but I think you should go and say goodbye.”

I originally planned to go for a stroll in the mall, since no one would bother me anyway.

But for some reason, all I want to do right now is sit in the classroom and daydream.

The school is the same as usual.

The state flag still hangs in front of the teaching building, and the colored bricks on the ground are glowing.

The playground was deserted, and the surroundings were eerily quiet, as if the power had gone out.

When I entered the classroom, it was already full of people.

Even those who usually skip class the most were there, including David and Nicole.

Everyone remained silent, as if something big was about to happen.

Sitting in front of the podium was Mr. Henderson.

He was wearing a dark blue suit that he didn't usually wear, along with a tie, and his hair was neatly combed.

“Children,” Mr. Henderson said, “today we will not have exams, we will not talk about the Constitution, and we will not talk about the separation of powers.”

"Because these things are no longer important."

He paused, then looked up out the window.

"I don't know where you will go in the future, or maybe you won't be able to go anywhere."

"But wherever you are in the future, please always remember your hometown."

When Mr. Henderson said this, he was not emotional at all; it was as if he were having a casual conversation.

“Your parents might say that this is not our business, that it is a struggle between big shots.”

"But the Democracy have never survived by being the most important people."

Mr. Henderson bent down and pulled an old book out from under the table.

The Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers.

The cover is faded, and the title is almost illegible.

He turned to the page marked with a bookmark:
"This isn't a history lesson, so it won't appear on the exam."

"Today, I just want to read it with you again, and memorize it word by word."

As Mr. Henderson spoke, he began to read aloud, his voice not loud:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

"World governments are established to protect these rights, and their legitimate power derives from the approval of those they govern."

“When any form of government jeopardizes these goals, the people have the right to change or abolish it and to establish a new government based on the principles and distribution of power most likely to bring them security and happiness.”

After he finished speaking, he closed the book, stood up straight, and looked out the window.

A gust of wind slipped in, rustling the manuscript paper in the corner.

We thought he would say something else.

But he just stood there, motionless, completely absorbed in his own thoughts.

After a while, the bell rang.

get out of class has ended.

Someone stood up, and the chair scraped across the floor with a loud "bang".

Then came the second one. And the third one.

"Do you think he really knows how to press it?" David slung his backpack over his shoulder and glanced back at the podium.

"You mean McCann?" Nicole asked.

David nodded and shrugged. "My dad installed a radio in the garage last night, saying he heard some emergency broadcast."

"There are photos on Reddit, and iodine tablets have already been sent out in Monterey."

“But the school hasn’t done anything,” Nicole frowned. “They haven’t even canceled the dance. It’s insane.”

Then they started complaining about life.

There was no security door installed in the basement.

The dog is still at the boarding facility.

The rugby final was originally scheduled for next week.

Mr. Henderson remained standing by the podium, without moving.

His hands hung limply at his sides, his eyes staring blankly at the book.

Just as I was about to leave—

The next second, the speaker on the ceiling lit up with a green light.

"Zi-"

"Sizzle—" "Sizzle—"

After three prompts, a pre-recorded female voice came through.

"The following is an announcement from the California Emergency Broadcasting System."

"Released at 10:05 a.m. by the California Office of Emergency Management, authorized by the Governor's Office."

"Any use of strategic strike measures in the absence of legal procedures constitutes a serious threat to the lives and safety of the state's residents and to the constitutional order."

“California will uphold its legal obligations and continue to maintain public order, essential services, and the dignity of its citizens, and will not withdraw its legitimate declarations or suspend its autonomous functions due to threats.”

Instantly, I felt a strong sense of panic.

The room fell silent.

Even David, who usually loved to joke around, put away his nonchalant expression.

"In response to a potential escalation of the situation, temporary protective measures will be implemented in the state at 8 p.m. tonight."

"All residents should—"

"Immediately prepare necessary supplies for home quarantine, including drinking water, non-perishable food, personal medications, and power sources for lighting;"

"Close doors, windows, and ventilation ducts; turn off air conditioning and recirculation equipment to ensure airflow is blocked;"

"Bring a radio and tune it to the California Emergency Channel, or visit cags.alert.gov for further announcements;"

"Priority should be given to assisting the elderly, children, people with mobility impairments, and other groups who are unable to seek shelter independently."

No one moved in the classroom.

No one dared to speak out.

Even the noise from the construction site in the distance mysteriously disappeared.

"If you experience communication disruptions, high-frequency noise, flashes of light, or a tremor in your residential area, immediately lie flat on the ground and stay away from windows, metal structures, and moving vehicles."

"Avoid forwarding unverified information and suspend location sharing on social media platforms."

"The state only releases authoritative information through the California Emergency Broadcasting System, official news channels, and the gov.ca.us website."

"Please remain calm, stay where you are, and wait for the next phase of guidance."

The broadcast stopped.

I could hear my own heartbeat.

a bit.

It's slow and heavy.

I looked down at my hands, which were placed on the table, palms down.

I didn't touch them.

It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I don’t dare.

I'm afraid that if I make a single move, the whole world will shatter.

The sky outside the window was still bright.

It was even a little dazzling.

Sunlight shone on the wall, making the whiteboard appear bluish.