Broken Nightmare

Chapter 21

  I grabbed Nathan's hand and pulled both the boys into the dry tile showers. I slowly pulled the curtains aside, almost begging them not to make any noise. They crinkled a little when I let them go not-as-gently. I cringed as I imagined the creature now knowing where we were.

I could see, for the first time, fear in Nathan's eyes. I could hear what I thought was the gym door start to open. Whatever was out there, would be in here in just a few seconds.

We rounded the shower stalls and I spotted the door at the end of the short corridor. It was connected to the teachers' locker room. Dodging the small lockers and leftover water puddles, we searched for the door. It had a small square window in it, which let in light from the hallway outside. We were so close.

Then I heard it. Footsteps. From behind us. Panic surged up in my throat and Nathan's whole body tensed as the boy scooted into me more.

Step. Step. Step.

Nathan looked back at me and mouthed a single word. "Go."

We all glided over the floor in silence, Nathan glancing over his shoulder the whole time. I reached the door and applied just enough pressure on the handle to check the lock. The handle depressed and the door moved effortlessly from its frame. It was unlocked. I swung the door open and slipped through, leaving whatever that thing was behind us in the locker room.

"Come on," I whispered, moving near the closest door. "I think this is the health room. It connects to the biology room. The science rooms go to the hall at the other side of the school."

"Go, go!" Nathan whispered urgently.

I put my hand on the door handle and tried to steady my trembling heart. Cracking the door open, I peered inside. Silent. Nothing. I swung the classroom door open. The empty desks cast shadows from the hallway lights. I guess I should be curious as to why all of the doors were unlocked, but I was too grateful at the moment.

We moved into the classroom and Nathan shut the door silently behind him. We quickly passed the teacher's desk and I felt pulling on my hood. I was yanked to the ground, but turned around to find Nathan's hand clenched onto my sweatshirt. His eyes darted to the small window in the door, where a black silhouette moved across the light. I held my breath and tried not to look too worried. My heart was pounding, but then it passed and I let out the breath I'd been holding.

But then, it came back, shadowing the window again. It was smelling. No—Hunting. Like a dog does to track down a new visitor.

The handle on the door began to turn.

"Don't look back," Nathan whispered warm air into my ear and I sprinted with the boy into the other classroom.

It knows where we are and it's closing in on us.

We should have kept the axe. It would have at least made me feel better.

I glanced back to find Nathan following behind, keeping his eyes on the door we just went through.

Nathan dragged us behind a long counter. I listened to my short, shallow breaths and tried to control them. The lab was divided by four counters running the length of the room, bordered by narrow alleys on either side. Test tubes, beakers, and other glassware sat atop the tables in groups, awaiting their next use. The hallway, I knew, lead to the school's side entrance and onto the street.

"Let's go," I whispered. "We can make it if we run." Nathan held my arm in an iron grip.

"No. We can't," He said quietly.