A Song Named Alice

Chapter 33

Sorry for the long wait. I'd explain, but I bet you would rather just read the chapter already.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group runs toward the other exit. Down the hall the doors are widely spread out; the lights flicker and sometimes they run in total darkness, but a group count from Tom every half minute keeps them all together. So when they reach the third door at last, Tom throws open it open, thrusting a hole against the cracking wall, and rushes through.

None of them look behind them. Not even the White Rabbit, who constantly worries about the people they left behind since their splitting, chances a glance for their whereabouts. It is only Odin that hurdles sound over the calamity of thumping feet, directing Tom to their exit; fear keeps everyone else's mouths shut.

This hall, much like most in the building, looks much the same. The doors are scattered far apart, the lighting is dim now, the wall's color is dreary and fearful, and the walls and ceiling threatens to collapse. Glass also disperses itself on the floor, crunching underneath their feet. However, the worst of it is the dust that sparsely flutters around; scarves or coat sleeves or hands cover their mouths and their eyes sting with every second they stay open.

Then another roar shakes the building. No one wants to stop with so little time left, but running through a tremor in their growing intensity proves too dangerous after they try and end up only scurrying around.

When it ends, they immediately continue. Yet, despite their close proximity to the exit, one more ghastly tremor would send them all to their graves. The thought crosses everyone's mind when Odin mentions, trying to chase the group to the exit faster, but in reality, only burdening more fear into their hearts. And it races, thumping with mindless adrenaline like an army of warring chariots. The doors come and go, yet the door they seek would not appear.

Faint lights dimly shine their way; dust covers some of them, some broken amidst tremors, and some are on the floor. Loki watches as the further they go into the hall the dimmer their surroundings get.

"How long do we need to go, Odin? We've been running down this hall for a while now. Shouldn't we be at it already?" he asks.

"We're almost there; not much farther to go, I can recognize these walls still."

Then the ground hums, shaking the fear in everyone. Soon, Tom thinks, hearing the floor move, soon we're going to be out of time.

"Everyone," he yells in an attempt to raise their spirits, "Keep your eyes looking the door, we are almost there! We'll be getting out here!"

They all felt the urge to cheer, raising their own spirits, but risking that it would set off the building into a tremor when it's already so close to one? No way. Not now.

Finally though, at long last, Tom could see the door. "I see it, I see the door everyone. We're almost out!" He yells excitedly. Smiles fill on all their faces and they run with him toward their salvation.

Upon opening the door and entering the small room, Tom sets Raven down temporarily, zipping to the door behind him and to everyone's left as soon as they enter.

That must be the exit! He hopes to himself as he opens the door. As he does he is rushed by the fresh wind breezing in. Welcoming the chilly air, Tom tries to open the door further, but it doesn't budge any. It's open by barely an inch or two; the frost had frozen the hinges shut. So, again he yanks on the door, and again, frustration edging him on.

Lacie comes to help. Below him she pulls on the door, grabbing on to the cold metallic door, singeing the cold into her skin. The White Rabbit helps them out too, pulling above them at the top of the door. It creaks an inch or two more, but not enough for really anyone to get through.