Rachelle

Chapter 16

I was drenched in sweat and exhausted in here. I am assuming it's been just thirty minutes since Olivia and I are hiding but I am already missing the sun. The noise of people outside continued growing louder and louder, and so did William's voice. I didn't have any idea he had such anger hidden in him.

"If I stay here a minute longer, I'm going to faint," Olivia says, annoyed.

"What choice do we have?"

"I don't know, but I need some air badly," Olivia says and squeezes herself out from behind the locker. "Don't worry; with all the people out there, I don't think William is going to open his 'secret room'."

I agree with her and squeeze myself out as well. I breathe heavily as my body eases somewhat, thankful for letting them relax. I wipe away the sweat on my forehead and look at Olivia, who was soaked as well. I don't think I've ever seen Olivia sweat so much apart from her gym sessions.

"Okay, we need to figure out a way out of here right now," she says anxiously.

"I know but how? As far as we know, that door is the only way out," I say pointing at the door then put my hands on my waist.

Olivia bites her lips as she creases her eyebrows. She looks around the square box we were in with thousands of photos hanging across. Suddenly, she starts walking towards the strange machine that was placed on one side of the room.

"Well, I think we've gotten our way out," she says with a hint of hope in her voice.

"The machine?" I ask confused.

"No, silly. Because of all these photos, we've missed that vent up there," Olivia points to the air vent just above the machine.

"Olivia, we don't have any ladders here and that's pretty high you know," I say standing beside her.

"We can try. Plus, if needed, we can take help of this machine as well," she says tapping the machine with her hand. "It's pretty strong and it can handle our weight."

"I'm not sure Oli. What if we by chance press any buttons on that thing and something happens? William is just out there," I say, worried.

"But what if we succeed? It's worth a shot," Olivia says frowning at me. I look at the machine then at the vent. We might succeed but what if we don't? William is never going to trust me again with anything.

Olivia places a hand on my shoulder. "Trust me."

I take a deep breath and say, "Alright, let's get out of here."

Just like Olivia suggested, we take the help of the machine. I let Olivia go first because she knows what to do. Surprisingly, the vent cage comes off easily and she hands it over to me. Olivia places her leg in specific places of the machine, being very careful in order to not to cause any trouble. She then successfully gets inside the vent.

"I can't turn around to help you," Olivia says, her voice echoic.

"It's alright; I will follow your steps but how to put this vent cage back?"

"No idea, just let it be. After all, I think William knows someone was in here," she says.

"What if I get in backwards? Then I will be able to close the vent cage."

"If you have them skills to do so, then go ahead. I will crawl further in order to make space for you."

It was a bit complicated but I succeeded in getting into the vent as well as closing the vent. Now, William will not be sure whether there was anyone in here or not.