No Way Out

Chapter 21: Run!

Chapter 21: Run!

Reixel's P.O.V.

The stale air hung heavy in the room, thick with the metallic tang of blood and the cloying sweetness of decay. I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat a solid barrier against the rising tide of panic. French's hand trembled in mine, her grip like a vise. The flickering, erratic light, a strobe of dread, painted the other side of the room in fleeting glimpses of horror.

"Reix, who's that?" French whispered, her voice barely audible above the hum of the failing generator.

"I don't know," I replied, forcing the words out. The knot in my stomach tightened. This felt, terribly wrong.

"Baka new player 'yan Reix?" This time, her whisper was even more fragile. French’s fingers dug into my arm, a desperate anchor in this nightmare.

I cleared my throat, trying to project an authority I didn’t feel. "Sinong nand’yan?" My voice cracked, betraying my fear.

Silence. The figure across the room remained motionless, shrouded in shadow, a silent sentinel. Maybe it was a zombie, frozen in place. But the air crackled with a different kind of menace, a human malice that sent shivers down my spine.

"Hindi siya sumasagot," I reported to French, my voice flat.

"Anong pangalan mo?" French challenged, her voice laced with a defiance I admired, even as it terrified me.

Still, no response. Was he deaf? Or simply toying with us? The light flickered again, and this time, the glint was unmistakable. Something metallic, catching the weak light.

Oh dear. A knife.

This was bad. We had to get out of here. We were not safe. I scanned the room, desperate for an escape route. My eyes snagged on Door 05, a rectangular promise of potential safety.

"Reix? Nakikinig ka ba?" French’s voice pulled me back. I hadn’t even realized she’d been talking.

"Ha… eh sorry, may iniisip lang ako," I mumbled, forcing a weak smile. "Nakikita mo ba ang pintong 'yon?" I pointed to Door 05.

"Oo, bakit?" French asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Tatakbo tayo ro'n, kaya mo ba?" I asked, my gaze flickering to the bandage wrapped clumsily around her injured foot. The wound looked angry, a constant throbbing source of pain.

"Yeah, I'll try," she said, her voice tight with determination.

"Okay good," I said, squeezing her shoulder.

I felt those unseen eyes on us, watching, waiting. He was a predator, sizing us up. He was biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"French, ready?" I whispered, my breath hot on her ear.

She nodded, her jaw clenched. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This was it. We ran.

Chaos erupted.

The sudden movement shattered the silence. I grabbed the doorknob, desperate to wrench it open, but before I could, a piercing scream ripped through the air.