THE PASSAGE (Book two of two)

Chapter 4: Madison.

I woke up with a start. Cold sweat dripped down my body as I flung the covers off the bed. Something was off and I didn't like it one bit. Carefully moving my pale legs off the bed, I looked at the clock. 2 A.M. Great. I sniffled, standing up slowly and moving for the door. There was a small ruckus going on outside, yet it was still so eerily still and quiet.

My hand moved for the doorknob, gently wrapping my long skeletal like fingers around the handle. My face moved closer to the barred glass to try and get a good look, but there was something blocking my view. Something...moving. The lights were on, shining brightly in the hallway, but there was a large silhouette in the way of my view. Maybe it was Devin? Why would he be outside my door? I thought, confused. "Devin?" I called out softly, seeing if there would be a response. My now shoulder-length hair shifted with the rest of my body uneasily as I began to fret. The figure outside the door was so still, as if almost dead. Creepy.

I swiftly moved to my closet, grabbing the big wooden rod off of the rack that would normally be holding clothes. I yanked on it sharply, moving backwards to get it back into the room. I ripped on some shorts, putting them under my long shirt and stepping toward the door once more, this time less cautiously. I grasped the door handle firmly, and yanked it open. "Oh my god!" I yelled, stumbling back.

There hung a large, deformed Popper that had been impaled through the chest and swung back and forth. The stench was so unbearable, I felt myself getting woozy. I rushed out into the open hallway, and headed straight for Marissa's and Loranna's room. My dainty feet pattered across the linoleum making a small echo that traveled to the end of the hallway.

My breath hitched when I sensed something- someone watching me. I raised the rod in front of my face, my breathing becoming increasingly faster. "Sh-show yourself!" I said, loudly. There was a gentle sshik from behind me, and I froze. My eyes wandered to the wall next to me, not daring to move my head. "Hello?" There was gentle breathing behind me, which made me become increasingly nervous.

"Turn around," the voice said in a gentle tone, grasping onto my shoulder and pulling me around. There stood Loranna, hair stringy and dirty, clothing ripped and bloody, and what seemed to be a stab wound on her side. "Loranna wh-" I began, surprised. "Take this," She slipped a piece of paper into my hand, and took off. "Stay in the light!" She yelled behind her. I was in so much shock, I dropped the wooden dowel, looking down at my hand that held the note. My hand shook as I opened it, revealing its contents. My jaw dropped as I looked down the dark hallway that Loranna ran into, and wanted to follow her, but then realized she told me to "stay in the light." I inhaled deeply, picked up the rod, and faced toward the hallway. "Ah, fuck it." I bolted into the dark hallway, chasing after Loranna. I heard footsteps up ahead, so I knew I was getting closer. I had to stop myself when I heard whispering.

"...Yeah, I did it! I made sure everyone got their damn note, so let me off the hook!" A voice mumbled in a lit room, at the corner. I peered over, and realized it was Loranna...talking to some businessmen. I became utterly confused, as I listened into their conversation.

"Did you let anyone see you after you faked it?" Faked what? I thought. Loranna became silent for a moment, before replying. "No, nobody saw me." I frowned, knowing she was lying. But why? Her eyes lingered to the doorframe, where she caught sight with me. Her eyes widened ever so slightly, before looking back at the men. What did she get herself into this time? I wondered, becoming quite concerned. I pursed my lips, moving forward a bit to get better glimpse of what was happening. There, stood around four large men, in tattered old business suits, arms crossed, lounging around the room, all looking at Loranna. I broke out in a cold sweat, waiting for them to pick up their conversation again. "See something?" The man lounging on the desk said, standing up. He was much taller than Loranna, and had a muscular build. "N-no, Sir," she said, studdering. "Lloyd, check the perimeter outside of this room. Kill anyone you see." I could see Loranna go into a small panic, as she tensed up, grabbing her hands and popping her fingers nervously as she would do on a daily basis when something bothered her.