<strong>Michael Winters</strong><br/><br/>The roll call complete, Michael returned to his desk as he counted the number of absentees. He always paced the front of the classroom, never one to actually sit at his desk unless he was grading papers. Nine students were absent this morning. That was much higher than the usual 2 to 3 absentees. He noticed that Jennifer and Erica were among those absent, which really struck him as odd since neither had missed his class the entire year. He figured the it had a lot to do with the riots he had heard about briefly on the radio before class this morning and soon found himself concerned for the safety of his absent students. Setting the roll call ledger down on his soft, brown leather  briefcase (http://www.sovaleather.com/L442NUfrntbig.jpg), he leaned against the edge of his desk at the front of the class, crossing his arms over his chest. He cleared his throat, a serious expression on his face.<strong>”Alright ya’ll, tell me what you’ve heard about the riots across town.”</strong><br/><br/><em>”You mean you haven’t heard, Mr. Winters? It’s crazy! People are going nuts and no one knows why! They keep saying it’s a riot but I ain’t buying it. People usually riot for a reason, but no one knows what the riot is about.”</em>Billy Anders was Michael’s star quarterback because he was a smart kid. You had to be smart to play quarterback and be any good at it. Always thinking ahead and reading the defense, making adjustments, calling audibles. He employed the same talents to that made him a success on the field to help him off the field as well. Billy had taken Michael’s class because Wendy Myers was taking was. Wendy raised her hand politely to comment further on Michael’s question.<strong>”Wendy?”</strong>Michael pointed to her and she lowered her hand.<em>”I heard on the tv this morning that the police were using tear gas and rubber bullets, but it wasn’t working.”</em>She looked scared as she offered the information, though it was obvious she was trying to appear unbothered by the news.<em>”Yeah, and they said the cops were running for their lives and that the rioters were … eating people! Like zombies or something”</em>Tony Adamopolous added, rather enthusiastically.<em>”Shut up, Tony! That’s stupid! There’s no such thing as zombies, you retard!”</em>Kevin Griggs yelled from across the room, obviously agitated.<strong>”Alright, that’s enough Kevin. There's no need to get upset. I’m sure Tony knows there’s…”</strong>Princple Carlson’s voice interrupted him over the intercom, requesting all teachers to please pick up the private classroom telephones for an urgent message. Michael finished his sentence to Kevin as he pushed off the desk and moved across the room near the door to pick up the handset.<strong>”… no such thing as zombies, right Tony?”</strong>Tony looked down at his text book and nodded sullenly.<em>"Yeah, whatever you say Mr. Winters"</em><br/><br/>Michael put the phone to his ear and listened silently. After the instructions were complete, he quietly returned the phone to it’s cradle and moved over to his briefcase, stuffing his things inside.<strong>”Okay listen up. I need everyone to get your things and please go to the auditorium. Please walk, don’t run. And please, try to act like adults.”</strong>He moved back to the door and opened it, stepping just outside his classroom and holding the door open while his students filed out. As Billy exited, Michael put a hand on his arm and smiled.<strong>”Make sure everyone goes to the auditorium and doesn’t disappear. If anyone slips off, just let me know, okay?”</strong><em>”Sure thing, Coach.”</em>Checking the room to make sure it was vacant, Michael closed the door and locked it, then proceeded to the entrance to the auditorium. It was his job to help maintain order and keep the students from congregating near the doorway which would effectively clog the entrance, creating the possibility of people to get crushed or trampled.<br/><br/>Amata and Chloe Calhoun were among those tightly packed in the hallway and slowly filing towards the double doors of the auditorium. They were both smiling at Michael as they moved with the crowd, closer to Michael. Chloe was holding onto Amata’s arm to try to keep from being separated in the crowd. She put her mouth to Amata’s ear and said something inaudible over the roar and din of all the students flooding the halls. Chloe giggled and Amata’s smile curved into a leering smirk. As the two of them were herded past Michael towards the auditorium’s double doors Amata took the opportunity to press her open palm against the bulge pressing against the faded denim of Michael’s jeans. She squeezed him firmly, then let her hand trail across his thigh as they were pushed past him. Both girls proclaimed<em>”Good Morning Mr. Winters!”</em>as they were ushered past Michael and into the auditorium.<strong>"Good morning ladies."</strong>Michael said calmly, though his dark brown eyes were wide with surprise. Chloe giggled profusely, still holding onto Amata’s while Amata smiled proudly at her sister. Michael’s glanced around nervously to see if anyone had noticed. The halls were so crowded that no one could see below the shoulders of the person in front of them. He seemed to be in the clear and he glanced back at the two girls, shaking his head.<br/><br/><strong>”Keep it moving people! Everyone please move into the auditorium (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3402140381_793a098522.jpg) and find a seat.”</strong>He repeated this like a broken record as students spilled into the main hallway to the auditorium. He thought of Courtney and wondered if she were okay. He decided she should be out of harm’s way since she lived close to RCC, off of Good Street and was most likely sitting in her class right now.<br/>