Jacob had been made aware of the tsunami alert before the students, but only just so. Technically, he had only been informed of the tsunami's presence earlier that day, and that he needed to keep it in mind in case something happened. He heard the alarm itself go off at the same time as the students, and that was when he knew that shit was about to go down. The momentary surprise and panic of the loud siren worn off, and he immediately stopped his lesson to begin ushering students into the ballroom.
"That's it. Calm and orderly. Everyone inside! Inside!"
He had performed many drills of many kinds throughout his teaching career, though not for one with a magnitude of danger as large as a tsunami. Fortunately, they all proceeded in roughly the same fashion. He needed to stay calm and assured for the students, whom were to be rushed to the safe areas as quickly as possible without a loss of control. The task became easier the older the student, as older kids were nowhere near as panicky as small children. That was assuming they even cared. Sometimes they were so jaded by all the fire drills that they hardly cared when a real one happened. Perhaps that was the point.
As Jacob stood by the open doors of the ballroom, he directed students to file towards the middle of the room and to make space for even more students to join in. It was uncomfortable and the room was growing louder with all the kids, but it needed to be done.
With every student that passed, Jacob found his anxiety growing bit by bit. He was worried for the kids, of course, but he was also worried about Lenn. Her classes were usually out on the sports field, away from most of the predetermined shelters.
"C'mon, Lenn... Where are you?"
"That's it. Calm and orderly. Everyone inside! Inside!"
He had performed many drills of many kinds throughout his teaching career, though not for one with a magnitude of danger as large as a tsunami. Fortunately, they all proceeded in roughly the same fashion. He needed to stay calm and assured for the students, whom were to be rushed to the safe areas as quickly as possible without a loss of control. The task became easier the older the student, as older kids were nowhere near as panicky as small children. That was assuming they even cared. Sometimes they were so jaded by all the fire drills that they hardly cared when a real one happened. Perhaps that was the point.
As Jacob stood by the open doors of the ballroom, he directed students to file towards the middle of the room and to make space for even more students to join in. It was uncomfortable and the room was growing louder with all the kids, but it needed to be done.
With every student that passed, Jacob found his anxiety growing bit by bit. He was worried for the kids, of course, but he was also worried about Lenn. Her classes were usually out on the sports field, away from most of the predetermined shelters.
"C'mon, Lenn... Where are you?"