Dying Breath: Unveiling Secrets

Parlour Trick

Askova and Derek finally exited the elevators, running for the only way they knew to go - straight. The hallway was long and dark. It was also surprisingly clean, compared to the other abandoned floors. The lights flickered, but it was still alright.

They headed for the only room available, which was the men's restroom. The other rooms they tried were locked.

" Uh, yeah, I'm not going in there," Askova pouted. Derek didn't care. He grabbed her arm, and ran into the bathroom, " bro! Not cool!"

" I know, but this is the only open room." He looked around vigorously. Askova stayed still, trying not to touch anything. She saw a note. She picked it up, hidden behind the bathroom mirror.

" Huh?"

                                             IM NOT THAT STUPID . . .

                                                             ~SALERNO

Askova gritted her teeth in anger. The note was written in blood.

" Stupid parlour trick!" She crumpled up the note and threw it on the ground. Derek pointed outside the bathroom.

" Askova! Look!" The window in the room across from them was bashed open. They ran to the room and bashed the door down. They entered, looking out the window, looking down. The draft from the floor below them gave away that Salerno opened the window and climbed through. It wasn't a long drop to the windowsill. But one slip, and, well... you know the rest.

" Okay, ready to do this?" Derek said, looking at Askova. She shook her head, and popped back inside the room, " why? You scared of heights?" Askova stood there, stiff.

" Can't we use t-the elevators or the stairs?" Askova stuttered. Derek shook his head.

" This is faster. The doors to the stairs are locked, and the elevator's movement is slowed. Come on, I'll help you." He held out his hand to Askova, and she hesitantly grabbed it. They walked carefully towards the window. Derek stepped out first. He didn't let go of her hand. She carefully stepped out. Like, very carefully. They ended up on the edge of the windowsill, very slim, they might fall. There was barely enough room for both of them, but Askova managed to fit. She went from holding his hand to hugging him tightly. He could barely breathe.

" I'm scared," Askova managed to say through the fear. She looked down and gasped. She held her grip tighter to Derek. He blushed for the longest time. But when Askova looked up at him, he went from lovey-dovey to please don't look at me. He managed to lift him and Askova through the window sill. They both fell to the floor with relief.

" Ha! See? It wasn't that hard," Derek said, gasping for air. Askova laughed.

" This route took longer though," she questionably said. Derek started laughing.

" I liked it better anyway." Askova then grabbed his hand and held it. Derek immediately stopped laughing. There was a long pause. Awkward.

" Wait, what were we doing?" Askova asked. Derek thought, then darted up.

" Goddamnit. Salerno." Askova gasped and got up quickly. They both ran for the elevators, immediately shaking off what just happened.