Max observed the coach from the other side of the track while breathing heavily and trying to keep up with the other students.
Max: So, what was the big deal? What were you guys so worried about?
Ken: Don't speak while you're running. Conserve your energy.
Max: Huh?
Ken: Just make sure he doesn't catch you till you reach the seventh lap. Then your legs won't feel like noodles.
Max: What?
Max and the majority of the student body were two thirds through their first lap.
It wasn't a jog, but rather something of a sprint. The tensity in the air could be felt. Something was about to happen.
Vince was in the lead, with Luke right behind him and a few other jocks as well. They were significantly closer to the coach than the rest of the students.
Then Max started to notice it. The girls all started slowing down, or rather, all the guys started speeding up, and Ken signalled at him to keep up.
Max: What's going on?
Ken simply pointed to the coach, who at that point, Vince and Luke had just passed. The coach got on his knees and into a "ready to run position."
He remained in this position for a few more seconds as every guy running got much faster as they passed him in something of a panic.
It was after a few jocks had passed him that he whistled loudly.
It became quite obvious to anyone observing what was about to happen. However, the sheer extent of it would have shocked anyone.
The coach started sprinting at an incredible pace. He was already fit and muscular enough that one would expect incredible feats from him. But this was overkill.
Stolen novel; please report.
He wasn't just sprinting. No, he was sprinting at full pelt. This grown man wasn't going to hold back against kids.
He passed Vince and Luke. Of course, because Vince and Luke passed him beforehand, he did not stop them.
Max: What the!?
It only took Max a second to feel the pressure. All the guys started to slowly leave him behind.
Ken: Come on!
Max started to run at his best as well. He was good enough on the skateboard, spectacular even. However, running had never been his strong suit.
All his years sports had been something he had avoided, but here and now, it was almost as if all those P.E. classes were having their revenge for him finding ways to get out of them.
He and the guys huffed it as the coach slowly gained ground on them.
Brian: Move move move...
A teen behind them yelled.
Name: Brian Baxton
Age: 15
Description: Doesn't like the gym
Occupation: Student, school band member
Fact: Loves hawaiian pizza
The race was on. At that point, all the guys were running at their best, panting heavily.
Max kept his eyes on Ken and followed from behind him.
A shrill cry was heard from the girls as the coach tore through their group, side stepping and avoiding colliding with all of them at a terrific speed.
It served as a reminder. A solemn reminder that he was coming.
Max rushed and caught up to Ken.
Max: What the heck is his deal?
Ken simply signalled at Max to look at the coach at that very moment.
Max had just about made it through a half of his second lap, and at that point, the coach had caught his first victim. Lenny Lark.
The coach slowed down behind Lenny and pointed the paintball gun at his back.
Gilbert: Better run faster, kid!
Lenny was already at his limit.
Lenny: I... I'm sorry... coach... I...
And a shot was heard.
The coach, while jogging in place, continued while the other students watched while running.
Gilbert: Get down and give me all you've got.
Lenny: Y.. yes, sir.
Lenny walked to the centre of the pitch and started doing push-ups.
The coach promptly continued his run.
Ken continued under his breath.
Ken: That's how you survive. You don't have to be the fastest. You just have to make sure that as many people as possible are behind you.
Max: Huh?
Ken: To buy you time. The key is to buy time. Think of it as 5 seconds for every student he catches.
Another shot was heard. Max and Ken had just made it past their 2nd lap.
Max: And every second...
Ken: Equals more time for us not to get caught until the seventh lap, so we have to endure till then. Alright?
Max: Alright.
The two teens continued their mad dash from the coach.