I shake off the memory of Kristine, swallowing the guilt that gnaws at me. "I’ll be with you soon, Kristine," I whisper, struggling to keep my voice steady. The empty halls of the school feel suffocating, as if they’re closing in around me. I jump up from the bench, desperate to break free. "I’m getting out of this hellhole." My jaw sets with a burst of determination—no more feeling sorry for myself. I need out of this nightmare, a fresh start, somewhere far from the shadows that linger here.

Boom—!

A deafening explosion rips through the air, shaking the walls. My heart skips. I grit my teeth, trying to calm myself, though every fiber of me screams to get away. "What's up with this damn place?" I mutter, resisting the instinct to bolt in the other direction. I don’t have to check it out, but something makes my feet start moving toward the source. Curiosity, or recklessness. It’s like I’m tied to this place, bound to its chaos. I tell myself it’s a look—but it feels like walking into a trap I can't resist.

As I get closer, the air grows colder, oppressive, as though the warmth is being stolen right from me. A shiver creeps down my spine. "What next?" I whisper, half hoping for an answer. This chill isn’t cold—it’s wrong, like the world itself is warning me to turn back. I slow my steps, the weight of dread sinking in. But I press forward, despite every instinct telling me this isn’t a mystery worth solving. Part of me wants to leave, but I’m already in too deep, and the thought of retreat tastes like cowardice.

The explosion had sounded close, somewhere in the school garden. I reach the spot, my heart pounding, but the air remains in an unsettling calm. No fire. No smoke. The heavy scent of flowers—vibrant and cloying, almost mocking the tension in the air. It feels like a trap, and for a second, I want to turn and run. But then…

Roar—!

A blood-chilling roar tears through the air, sending a fresh wave of panic through me. "Great... I just had to see what’s going on," I mumble, staring at the entrance to the school, my mind waging war with itself. The roar is something primal, something that doesn’t belong here. And yet, part of me wants to know what it is. What if it’s not just a rift barrier malfunction—what if it’s something beyond any grace we’ve seen? My mind spins, warning me that once I step inside, I might not come out. But if I walk away… I’ll always wonder. I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves.

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Crash—!

Shadows swallow me as I cross the threshold. The school's familiar halls become an alien, dark, silent maze. The floorboards creak under my feet, breaking the stillness. Each step echoes, each footfall driving home the choice I made to enter, but I now regret it much. Memories of brighter days drift through my mind. But, each step dims them, as if something looming ahead snuffs out the light.

Another tremor shakes the ground; lockers rattle, lights sway. And yet, I can’t stop moving forward. My instincts scream that I should turn back, but my pride won’t let me. If I don’t face this—if I run now—what does that make me?

The air turns foul, thick with a stench that sends my senses into high alert. My stomach clenches. Whatever’s ahead isn’t human. its presence before I see it, a shadow far too large and far too close.

Swoosh—

Something huge streaks past, out of my peripheral vision. I whirl around. But, before I can register it, it crashes down behind me, creating a crater in the floor. I freeze. There it stands: a monstrous, grotesque figure. Its jagged, dark skin glints in the dim light. Its knife-like teeth are ready to tear through flesh. Its breath rattles as it glares down at me, its blood-red eyes narrowing. Fear grabs hold of me, twisting my insides.

Fight or flight. My mind stumbles over the choice, neither option promising survival. My muscles scream to run. But, I'm rooted to the spot. I'm torn between retreating and proving I'm not a helpless victim. If I try to fight, there’s a good chance I won’t make it, but if I flee… the shame of turning my back eats at me. Pride. It claws at me, tells me to stand my ground, to show that I’m not afraid. But deep down, I know I am.

My hands tremble as I scan the area. There’s nowhere to hide, nowhere to go. My heart pounds, the blood rushing in my ears, drowning out everything else. "Combat’s out. What now?" I whisper, swallowing the panic clawing up my throat. I search for an escape route with a sense of urgency, seeking any plan that doesn’t end with me on the floor.

The silence is crushing, broken only by the monster’s heavy breaths. My mind races, weighing my chances, every second another beat of terror. If I run now, it won’t give chase… maybe I can make it out of here alive. But the thought of retreating and letting this moment haunt me gnaws at my mind. There’s no time for hesitation. I need to decide now, to act before I lose every shred of nerve I have.

The creature roars and lunges, closing the gap in an instant. The choice slips from my grasp. I'm left with a breath, a heartbeat, as the ground shakes beneath me. I try to will my legs to move, to choose survival over pride, but they stay frozen. The realization settles with a chilling weight—I can’t escape this.

[end of chapter]