Roads To Hell: A Horror Anthology

Part 16 - The Vault - Part 2

"What's happening?" Julie's voice was high-pitched with fear. "The lights-"

Allison continued tugging the confused woman around the lab's workstations and cabinets, towards the door. There was no time to explain – and what would she even say? Allison wasn't sure what had happened, or if the lack of power was related to Craig and the mask. All she knew was they had to get out before The Vault sealed.

Emergency protocol dictated that anyone working in the lab had two minutes to leave. That was normally more than enough time, but the lights were flickering, confusing Allison's sense of direction in the maze of the lab. A horrible screeching noise erupted behind them, followed by the gut wrenching sound of delicate archaeological fragments smashing onto the hard floor.

Glancing back to check on Julie, her face wet with tears and sallow from the orange lights, Allison could see destruction in their wake. Desks were on their side, steel cabinets and shelves – which had been bolted to the floor – had moved to create wall around the epicentre of strange power – Craig. His body was hidden, but the shadows thrown by it were high on the windowless walls of The Vault.

An unnatural gust began to rise in the lab, hindering their way forward. Allison held Julie's damp hand tighter and pressed on. They were running out of time, but they were almost there. Ahead she could see the two security guards poke their heads around the heavy lab door. They were shouting, but Allison could barely hear them over the rising wind and the sound of Craig's low chanting, which seemed to echo from all directions.

The guards seemed to come to a decision, rushing to meet them about twenty-metres before the door.

"Names!" One of them shouted, needing to make sure they had every person signed into the lab was out.

"Allison Reed," she started and then, seeing Julie was visibly trembling, answered for her. "And Julie Nabiyev."

He marked them off the list and then swore. "We still have a Craig Evans in here!"

The other guard was leaning into the wind, trying to get a better look at the circle of lab equipment. "What the fuck is going on in here?"

Papers swirled around them and Allison opened her mouth to tell the guards that Craig had already left, but Julie had finally found her voice.

"He's in there!" She pointed towards the back of the lab, where whatever Craig was now still repeated the same incomprehensible words.

The two guards looked at each other and nodded. The one with the military hair cut pointed at the door. "You two – get out of here! Now!"

Then they ran towards Craig. The wind did not try to stop them, it seemed it was only trying to make their escape from the lab more difficult.

"No!" Allison screamed. "Something's wrong! He's dangerous!"

They were gone, running towards the mad shadows and pulsing lights. "Fuck!" She grabbed Julie's had again, determined to make a run for it.

They made it four steps before a furious gust of wind swept them off their feet. Allison smacked her head hard on the floor and saw stars. Groaning she scrambled to her knees, clutching her aching head. As she looked up through the tangles of her dark hair, she saw the Vault doors close with a hiss. Pneumatically sealed. They were trapped.

The gusts died down, a cold breeze still swirling around them. So, that was all he wanted then. To stop them from leaving. Allison's heart was thumping so hard in her chest that it hurt. She tried to slow her breathing, sucking in air through her nose and out her mouth. Hands shaking with adrenaline, she checked on Julie – the girl was barely conscious, the whites of her eyes showing beneath fluttering eyelids. She checked the back of her head and felt a lump, but no blood. She seemed okay.