Lane wiped his hands on his jeans, then slowly stood. “I need to get to my family.”
I didn’t argue. There was no point.
“Stay close to me.”
We moved cautiously, sticking close to the walls and listening carefully between each step. The school seemed unfamiliar—like a place we hadn’t been every day for years.
The front office doors came into view.
Sunlight streamed through the glass, feeling bright and different after being under fluorescent lights. The parking lot outside was quiet, with only the cars abandoned by their owners still in it.
“This is as far as I go,” I said softly.
Lane nodded, eyes shining. “Thank you.”
“Stay quiet. Avoid open spaces. If you hear anything—hide. Don’t try to be a hero.”
He hesitated, then pulled me into a quick, desperate hug.
I patted his back awkwardly, “Stay safe out there.”
Lane let go, then turned to open the door. “Shit!”
“What’s wrong?”
“The door won’t open!” He whispered urgently, pushing the door harder.
“Let me look.” I peered out the windows to the side of the double doors. “The doors are chained! Dammit!”
“I need out of here!” Lane whisper shouted as he started to push the doors again.
I grabbed his arm. “Don’t. The noise will draw them. We’ll find another way.”
He began looking around frantically to see if we’d already blown it. His breathing became so erratic that I was worried he would pass out.
I grabbed his face and spoke slowly, trying to calm him. “We’re fine. Let’s check the door in the auto shop.”
He stared into my eyes for a few moments before nodding and taking a deep breath. “Okay.”
We gradually moved toward the auto shop, following the brightest hallways. I wasn’t sure if they were sensitive to light, but it seemed fitting that monsters like them would be.
I knew that door was half hidden behind a dumpster, so hopefully whoever chained us in missed it.
Finally, we reached the auto shop. Luckily, the door from the hallway was locked, so I used my keys to open it. We remained cautious even though none of the students would’ve been able to get in.
“Hold your breath,” I told Lane before I pushed on the door leading outside.
It opened with no problem.
“Thank God.” Lane let out a sigh of relief.
“Tell whoever chained the fucking door that there are still students trapped in here who aren’t infected.” I grabbed his arm before he could rush off.
“Yes, sir, Mr. Rowen.” He nodded, “I’ll do that before I go home.”
“Good man.” As soon as the door shut behind him, I started back to the lounge.
Suddenly, the clicking rose from deeper in the halls—low and spreading. Footsteps. Too many.
