The Lockdown • 𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔯 𝔢𝔡𝔦𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔤

08~ Anna's Escape Pt. 1 •

— anna's pov

I got up slowly, hands still shaking but not as much as before. I was done wallowing in self pity, I had to be strong and help everyone else. My steps were unsteady as they slowly crept towards the door. Palms brushed the cool metal of the handle and my ear pressed up against the forest green paint on the door. Nothing happened, still, I listened for a while longer, still it was eerily quiet. I strained my ears even more, trying to pick up on the subtlest footsteps. After a moment of arguing with myself, I manned up and stuck my head out the door and then slyly ran out of the supply closet. I just hoped and prayed my escape would be successful, I couldn't afford anyone else to suffer.

Like a cat, I slunk through the dark hallways, ears pricking at the smallest sound. Pupils dialated to let in as much light as possible as they gazed towards where each camera was located, adrenaline filled my veins like a drug as I approached the building closest to the back field, it housed rooms 12,13,14,15 and 16, then above it was rooms 17 through 21, once I got there, it would just be a hop, skip and a jump to freedom. I would never deny that I was scared as hell, filled to the brim with paranoia, but if I did this right, maybe dad would be proud of me, of my courage and wit.

I was finally able to see the sky clearly and breathe in the fresh air, not just through peaking out the edge of blackout curtains and through dirty windows, and the freedom of it felt exhilarating. The sun was going down, it was the end of our third day of being trapped in the school, our class had been rationing with everyone's lunches, the main problem though was that we were out of food, and as much as Simon and co had daringly left the classroom, none had the bright idea to raid the canteen. I mean, I would if I could, but bringing a few bags of chips and maybe an old burger or two versus potentially saving lives?

Swiftly, I ran under the balcony, sticking close to the walls and low to the ground as I moved around the outside. Dodging windows and doorways and anyway of possibility making myself an easier target until I reached the moment of truth.

There was about 100 metres of open, grassy field. I would definitely have to sprint, there was a tree line along the back fence, there was a big old, willow tree, behind it there was a small area of untamed scrub land protecting a large, though well hidden hole in the chainlink fence.

No one knew about it, except for me really, or so I thought. I was pretty sure, not even Tom, the gardener knew about it, nor the school guards go down there. I had found it once when I was on litter duty as punishment for being late, now I used it for ditching or sneaking in late, mostly sneaking in though. It must of.. No, it had to of been the way the killer got in here in the first place.

No, Anna, don't do this, if you do this, you're an idiot. A voice in my head spoke, sounding oddly like my father, but I ignored it, leaning down to get into position instilled into me by years on the track team. Steadily, I took a deep breath and quickly took off. Never had making a run for it felt so stressful. Though suddenly my vision improved, my muscles felt less pained, I was running faster too!

"HEY!" A voice yelled in anger, it sounded familiar but it wasn't someone's voice I could immediately recognise. The voice was a man's voice, it had the deeper tones to it but it also held an insane tone. Echoes of a shot rang out. WOOSH! It soared past my head, my ears rung as I shrieked. It flew right by my head. What the fuck?

More bullets were released from the weapon. The psychopath had to reload soon, didn't he? The rain of bullets stopped, I was right, thank God. My heart was pumping in my throat, I had a minute to get clear, at most. Terror was the only emotion I felt as I passed the first tree. I just barely reached the dead willow tree and made a dive for the bushes, not caring if I landed directly onto the brambles. I was almost out of this hellhole, twenty feet until the gate. I just hoped and prayed I'd make it out in time.