Death After Death (#2)

Chapter Eight

Max had built up an image of the school in his mind. An old, crumbling shell of a building, with towering black gates and a large oak door. He imagined crows flying in formation above, and rain plummeting through gaps in the roof. His idea of an 'abandoned school' had been severely warped by horror films from his childhood.

It was just a normal school.

"What's the plan?" Karl asked, looking beyond the rest of the group to Dawson.

It was clear that the young boys looked up to her, despite the gentle ribbing.

"Go in, get the food, come out?" Dawson suggested.

"Simple, I like it."

The five of them carefully encroached past the school gates, and scampered up to the main doors. One solitary plank of wood was nailed very deliberately between them.

"Well that's always a good sign," Max mumbled.

"I really think we should turn back. Guys?" Rodney whimpered from the rear of the team.

"I know it's a risk, but we need the food. I think the days of a risk-free meal are over I'm afraid," Dawson announced. "I say we go in through here, and make our way slowly through the building. Between the five of us we can cover every angle, watch each other's backs. First sign of trouble and we get the fuck out."

"Sounds good to me boss," Karl chimed, lifting his spear into the air like a warrior ready for battle.

"Any trouble and we're out," JJ reiterated.

Rodney mumbled and groaned, but put up no argument. He knew that without the others, he would have perished long ago. He was a liability, and well aware of it.

Dawson glanced to her right, seemingly awaiting Max's seal of approval. It appeared that he had already earned a glimmer of respect from the cold soldier.

"Lead the way," he said approvingly. 

Dawson stepped forward confidently, and eased the plank away from the entrance with her thick butcher's knife. The sheer power possessed by her rather small frame was impressive, as she made short work of the wooden blockade.

"After you, ladies."  

Max smirked, he was glad to have her fighting on his side, that's for sure.

Everything that had disappointed him about the appearance of the school vanished as Max plunged into the gloomy corridors of Victoria Primary School.

Dust, glass and debris covered the dingy grey floors, as Max's boots crunched with every step. Rows of lockers were dented and tipped onto their fronts, blocking the narrow corridors. Cheap square roof tiles covered the ceiling, some smashed, some completely missing, exposing the pipes and darkness beyond.

This was more like it.

"I used to fucking hate school," Dawson grumbled, weaving between the guys to lead from the front.

"Not one of the popular kids, ay Daws?" Karl teased with a cheeky elbow to his leader's side.

"Oh, pipe down Karl, you were in the fucking chess club," JJ jabbed.

Even Rodney sniggered.

"Let's just get on with this," Karl mumbled.

"Okay, I'll go first, Rodney just behind me, boys watch the flanks, and Max bring up the rear."

After a few mutterings of agreement, Dawson set off down the main corridor to her right.

Unable to know for sure where the cafeteria was, they decided to parade off in no particular direction until they stumbled across it.