A Chance to Heal

Death of a Friend

The noises above seemed to grow louder as they ran. It sounded as if the mannequins were going to break down the door. And at any moment, they'd be right on their heels. Nancy chanced a glance over the railing. Hoping to see how many floors they had left. Her stomach dropped when she didn't see the bottom floor. All she could see were more stairs. Which she told Quentin as they continued to sprint. He took a look over as well and frowned. His hands toyed with the mop handle as he stated,"Great. No way to the first floor. We'll be worn out if we keep running like this. And who knows when those freaky mannequins are going to break in here."

"Maybe one of these doors leads somewhere new.",she suggested. A part of her almost said 'safe'. But there was nothing safe about this situation. They were running from living mannequins. Who would do who-knows-what to them once they caught up. All they needed was some place farther away. One she was sure that the mannequins couldn't follow. So they set to work on the doors. Trying to open several as they passed them. Each time they did, they were met with disappointment. Not able to open any as they hurried down. With each passing moment, they heard the knocking get louder. Right until they heard wood creak and break. Followed by the sounds of the mannequins thumping down the stairs behind them. Neither of them dared to look as they hurried. Practically jumping down several steps as they ran. Quentin's heart leaped into his throat as they reached another door. Almost certain this one wouldn't work either. As soon as he grabbed the handle, he took a deep breath. Then turned the knob.

It easily turned in his hand and he pulled it toward him. Relief almost washing over him as they rushed in. That all faded away when he saw where they were...it was the abandoned house they broke into. Strangely, it hadn't changed a little bit. It even seemed to smell the same. Quentin decided to not dwell on this as Nancy shut the door. They grabbed one of the dusty old couches from it and shoved it against the door. When it was firmly against the door, they listened. Hoping the mannequins would keep moving. That they somehow hadn't seen them run into the room. Both of them holding their breath as they watched. Waiting and listening in agonizing silence as the thumps grew nearer. Growing louder with every passing second.

Grabbing each other's hands as they listened to this noise. Which didn't pause once as it continued on down the stairs. Getting quieter before dropping back into silence. The pair stared at each other for a moment. Not sure what to say. Or what to really do. Nancy gently squeezed Quentin's hand as she sighed. A slight look of relief going over her features. Which made him let go of the breath he was holding. Squeezing her hand back before letting go. Turning away from the door, he said,"Of all the places we get dragged to. It's this stupid place."

"At least we're sorta safe here.",Nancy stated in a low voice. Her expression froze for a second and grew thoughtful. Then she knelt down and gently tapping the floor with her knuckles. Looking up at him as she grinned sheepishly. Once she straightened up, they started checking the place. Making sure that there wasn't anything to harm them. And to find a way out of the old house. But all they seemed to find was dusty old furniture. Most of it covered with white sheets. No signs of a way out. But no signs of any surprise monster either. Something that both infuriated and relieved them.

Soon they were finished with the upstairs. Nothing useful found, they headed towards the staircase. A little surprised they hadn't found anything. Not even the bones of the dead rat they found last time. Deciding not to dwell on it as they walked down. Being careful of where they stepped. As both weren't sure of how strong the wooden staircase was. Especially after all those years. Quentin kept a light grip on the railing as he walked. Letting Nancy grab his arm as they moved down. Once they did, they stuck together. Guiltily looking around the room they were in. Which looked like it had once been a living room. It had a couch, coffee table, and an armchair. Along with a smashed-out T.V. That looked even older than the furniture that surrounded it. He couldn't remember if they ever found that before. But it had been years since they were there. Ignoring this, they continued searching. They tried looking through a hallway closet. Only finding dusty clothes and old shoes. Along with a blue bowling ball. Nothing they could use on Freddy or use to get free. They moved onto the kitchen.