The Ink Infection [Brief hold and Editing]

Chapter 21

With a smile, Derek pointed at the ceiling. I looked up and saw an air vent. I turned back to him and grinned.

"I knew you could do it," I said, looking up again. The only problem was: how would we reach the air vent? It was at least fifteen feet high with no furniture around us.

"How are we..." I sighed and shook my head. It was a stupid question. There was no way we could make it up there without leaving someone behind.

"Wait, I'll boost you up," I said, getting up onto my feet. I reached out a hand to help Derek get up.

"Thanks," Derek muttered, and I gave a nod in response.

"But," Derek said, the idea dawning on him. "What about you?"

"Oh, don't worry about me," I replied, "I'll make it up there." Hopefully. My priority was Derek, not me.

Derek looked at me. "You promise?" he asked.

"Promise," I reassured him.

Outside, I heard footsteps approach the door. I grimaced and looked towards the door. I hoped it wasn't the guard coming for us.

Through the tainted glass, I could make out a huge figure, slowly walking towards the door. Each step sent the floor trembling, and I stood still, my brain thinking that I would be invisible if I didn't move.

The figure came to our door, and it stopped. Silence engulfed us, and I could see Derek slowly walking towards me from the corner of my eye. All I could hear was my own shaky breathing.

Then, the figure stepped away from the door, and its heavy footsteps moved on down the hallway. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in and faced Derek.

"Okay," I whispered, "We don't have much time."

I positioned myself below the vent. I placed my hands, palms facing up, in front of my waist. "Step onto my hands, and I'll hoist you up," I explained.

Derek nodded, "Thanks," he said, before placing his feet on my hand. I winced as the weight made my arms turn to butter, but I endured it. This was a life-or-death situation, Neil, I reminded myself.

Derek placed his hand on my shoulder and stepped on my left hand, and I felt like the world was closing in on me. With all my strength, I pushed him up so that Derek could open the air vent. Derek's hand fumbled for the latch on the ceiling, and I could feel my legs shaking. I closed my eyes, hoping that would ease the weight.

"Got it," Derek mumbled, and I heard the latch open with a bang. "Oops," I heard Derek say. I felt the weight lessen, and I opened my eyes to see Derek hoisting himself up into the vent. I sighed and waved goodbye to Derek.

"Promise to see me again, Neil," Derek pleaded.

I gave a nod, "Of course you will," 

Derek nodded and closed the vent before scurrying along the vent. I smiled and sat down on the floor. My mission was accomplished. My friend was safe, and all I needed to do was... I thought of what to do next.

The card! My hands reached for the pocket, looking for the card that could let me out of this room. After finding only emptiness in my pockets, my hopes diminished. There was no way I could get out in time before the guard pulled me into the Torture room. I racked my brain for any other thoughts that could potentially save my life. Fight the guards? No, that would only make my punishment worse. Run out when the guards open the door? I considered the choice for a minute. That seemed the best option for me. I had outrun the guards before, so this should be a piece of cake. 

I waited patiently for the guards to come, straining my eyes through the opaque window. All I saw was whiteness.

Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours. I walked restlessly from wall to wall, unable to keep still. Did they forget about me? Are they just putting me in solitary? What if they figured out my plan and weren't going to open the door for me?