Land of Pō

Although I was in total darkness, I closed my eyes so I could listen more intently. Maybe something had followed me from the courtyard or picked up my scent along the way. I only heard my rapid pulse banging in my ears with each aching, forceful contraction of my heart. A bell rang faintly in the distance, each ring louder as the sound pursued me in the darkness. The ringing became familiar. It was a school bell, and my initial concern of being late for class was realized. Where is my class...