Raining Hellfire 3

Chapter 12: Uncle Jack

You slipped through the door, entering the white hallway and blinking against the harsh lights.

With a look either way, you try to map it out in your head. You needed to go right. You'd helped Steve sneak the kids to the cinema on numerous occasions, but you had never gone further than the door outside Scoops Ahoy.

You walk at a fast pace, hand hovering over the scalpel you had pocketed from the interrogation room. If any Russians decided to use this hallway, you sure as hell weren't going to allow any surprises.

Even if they did have guns.

Shit, you thought, I really didn't think this through.

There's a whisper behind you and you whip your head around, pulling out the scalpel.

With no one lurking behind you, you quicken your pace, looking out for the familiar sign taped to a door.

"this is the end"

You look over your shoulder, still walking. But no one was there.

Goosebumps begin to trail along your skin and your heart speeds a thousand times faster. It was trying to get into your head again.

You sprint faster, shoes squeaking against the polished floor as you skid to a stop outside your destination.

"THIS IS THE END"

The voice screamed in a terrifying echo down the hallway and you ran inside, slamming the door shut behind you with a pant.

You head straight to the employee room, searching in the dark for the bulky object. Your hand glides over something bumpy. The radio.

You grab it, immediately switching it on.

"Does anybody copy?" You say, radio held to your mouth, "I repeat, does anybody copy?"

"Y/n?" Max's voice comes out from the other side, a distant rustle in the back ground.

"Max! Thank god."

"Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for ages, Billy-"

"He's been possessed by the Mind Flayer, I know." You quickly say, "Look, I'm with Steve and Dustin, Robin and Erica as well, and we're all trapped in the mall-"

"The mall?!" She sounds startled and your eyes widened.

"Yeah?"

"Look, we're heading there now. Billy just attacked us and El used her awesome mind thingy so we know about the gate."

"What? No! Don't come here, there's-"

The radio suddenly cuts off and you pull away from it, frowning.

A blinking red light stares back at you.

"Fucking batteries!" You toss the radio back onto the table, running hand through your hair while pacing. "Shit, shit, shit."

Just as you go to turn, the overhead lights suddenly switch on and you squint against the light, blinking.

Someone was stood in the doorway.

You grab the scalpel, holding it out while your heart hammered in your throat.

"What the hell is going on?!"

You lower the scalpel, eyes adjusting to the light. Your breath hitches.

"Jack?!" Your jaw drops as you shake your head, "What- what are you doing here?"

"I came looking for you when you didn't show up for dinner." He frowns, staring at the scalpel in your hand. "Now, going back to my first question. What the hell is going on?!"