In the far future, the world has become a more dangerous place. Things long thought fantasy have made their presence known. They seek humanity’s positions of power; churches, colleges, and schools. This makes it more hazardous to get an education than even during the early 2000s when school shootings were widespread.

Grailand High students are blind to being put on the front lines of an eternal war, before the first day of school. They don’t know how well-protected they are. Even in the future, school days pass like mud in an hourglass.

Hannah is yawning after lunch as she passes into her English class, taking her seat near the intercom system. She is looking forward to this class. It’s supposed to be looking at how history and mythology mix in literature.

With Halloween approaching, the teacher chose legends about the dead coming back and measure them to similar fiction. They compare some literary examples to myths when a shot erupts from outside the door. Unlike in previous generations, the cops are on the scene in seconds rather than minutes, surrounding the building.

They secure and evacuate the building aside from Hannah’s English class. Five figures burst through the classroom door at the same time. Two block the window blinds, and the third smacks the teacher into the chair behind his desk as if he’s a ping-pong ball.

Two people barricade the door. The one who had smacked the teacher stands before the class. Unlike the other four figures, its eyes are glimmering obsidian black. It’s eight feet tall, thanks partly to its shaggy, unkempt hair and long nails. His skin is almost brown yet still green. Four are henchmen in ski masks and body armor. The troll is hovering over the class. No joke.

He speaks in a low, menacing voice, “If you want to survive, you will do as you’re told.”

He pulls out a phone and pushes a few buttons, sending a ransom demand for the class. Patience isn’t one of his strong qualities, though. After a half hour of no response to its requests, it pulls Hannah to the front of the class. She’s forced to her knees before he pushes a couple more buttons on the phone. He points it at himself like a camera.  

“You have 30 seconds to meet our demands, or I swear the bodies will pile up fast,” it roars. His menacing tone is still present.

The classroom plunges into unnatural darkness as a low, quiet voice comes over the intercom. “Your masters were told that none of you can be here. You choose to ignore that and be an example.”

As the male voice finishes, the sound of an ominous bell rings, followed by two female voices saying, “He’s here.”

Four muffled shots ring out before light returns to the room. The henchmen are laid out on the floor with bullet wounds between their eyes. Hannah sits in her chair, puzzled by how she got there. At the head of the class, the troll-like creature stands frozen. Just outside of his arm’s reach stands a figure in all black. There appears to be a blue sword handle peeking out from under his black duster.

The creature regains composure, snapping at the black figure, “Am I supposed to be impressed with your little parlor trick?”

The shadowy figure lifts his head, showing a face of pure white with streaks of obsidian black and red running from his eyes. He painted his lips the same black with red running down their sides. He smiled evilly but amused. The troll looks at him, puzzled.

The figure speaks in a deep, soft tone, saying, “If you think I care whether you’re impressed, then you’re delusional. You’re a mere pawn for me.”

Enraged, the troll lets out a growl that sounds like a roar, letting his nails become claws before charging the figure. A flash of steel met its charge as its head and body separated, hitting the floor.

The figure speaks again. “Now return to your agony in Hades. You’ll have company soon, I assure you.”

Darkness once more consumes the classroom, erasing all traces of the figure before allowing light to return. This includes the bodies of the troll and his henchmen. Only small remnants of blood remain.

Within seconds, the cops burst through the door, bewildered by what they find and by the statements the students give. Paramedics tend to the teacher and take him out on a stretcher.

Despite the cops’ puzzlement, they are all thankful for whatever guardian angel is watching over the school. They feel safe knowing they are protected.