The world collapsed into chaos.
Walls shook. The ceiling rattled. The floor turned into jelly beneath her feet. Traction left her soles, and she fell forward, catching herself on her elbows as panicked screams erupted around her before they were drowned out by a thundering boom.
Her breath caught in her throat, and ice flooded her veins.
Her limbs shook violently, refusing to respond. She didn’t know how long she lay there in the dark, nor how long it took for the screaming to die down. When the lights finally returned, they did so weakly, dim and flickering.
“Ava! Are you okay!?”
She sucked in air, breathing coming fast and shallow.
“It’s okay! I’m here with you!”
A hand settled on her back. Ava couldn’t look up. She had to focus. Focus on getting herself under control. Long, deliberate breaths. In. Out.
“You good?”
Slowly, she lifted herself onto her knees and turned to see Maddie crouched beside her.
“Yeah…” Ava said quietly. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Maddie whispered, offering a small, strained smile.
“What… happened?”
Maddie’s smile shattered, and she spoke under her breath, “I… don’t know, but it looks bad.”
Ava followed her gaze.
They were alone. The only two heartbeats left in the cafeteria, or what remained of it. And then she saw it.
An entire section of the room had collapsed. The ceiling had caved in, crushing everything beneath it.
Including…
“No…” Ava whispered.
Maddie grimaced, “C’mon. We need to go.”
Ava took a few steps before she felt the contents of her stomach rushing up. She stumbled aside just in time, spilling it onto the floor. After a hand steadied her, another offered a napkin.
Accepting the gesture, Ava tossed the remnants onto her mess.
Maddie guided her away. The corridors beyond were dim and lifeless. No voices. No footsteps. Nothing.
Looking up and down the halls, Ava whimpered, “Where did everyone go?”
“Probably evacuated,” Maddie replied. “We should do the same.”
Slowly, Ava’s head began to nod before it froze.
“But… what about Ash?”
“She probably left too.”
“But what if she didn’t?”
Maddie stepped in front of her, “If we keep asking that, we’re not going anywhere. We need to leave.”
Ava muttered something unintelligible, then sighed and nodded.
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“Okay,” Maddie said gently. “Let’s go.”
They wandered through vacant halls. Corner after corner.
Lab six.
Lab four.
Lab… lab ten?
“Um… Maddie?” Ava asked. “Are you sure you know where we’re going?”
Maddie raised an eyebrow, “No. You didn’t say anything, so I figured this was right.”
Ava flinched, eyes dropping, “Sorry… I should’ve said something.”
“It’s fine,” Maddie said. “So where do we go?”
“Well, we should—"
“Holy shit, you’re both alive!”
The gruff voice echoed from down the hall.
“Chief!” Maddie shouted, sprinting forward and throwing her arms around Matthew.
Receiving it, he stiffened, then awkwardly patted her head.
Ava hurried over, her lips breaking into a smile, “Have you seen Ashley? Or Mr. Schafer?”
Matthew shook his head.
“Oh…” Ava murmured, faltering slightly.
“Cheer up, kid,” he said. “Knowing them, they’ll be fine.”
“Yeah… you’re right.”
Maddie pulled back and wrinkled her nose, “Damn. You stink.”
“I didn’t ask you to take a whiff.”
She stuck her tongue out, then turned to Ava. “So, where are we headed?”
“Ah… right. Follow me.”
She only took one step.
“Actually,” Matthew cut in, “that’s not happening.”
They both turned to him.
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“The checkpoint’s locked.”
“Locked?” Maddie echoed.
“It won’t open.”
She crossed her arms, “Care to explain why?”
“The guard’s gone. No one to override it.”
“That doesn’t explain anything!”
“We’re in lockdown mode,” Matthew said flatly. “All checkpoints are sealed unless someone opens them.”
“What!?” Maddie snapped. “Then why did the guard leave?”
Matthew’s expression hardened.
“Because he’s fucking dead," he spat.
Silence fell like a weighted blanket.
“H-how?” Maddie asked.
Matthew raised his hand, mimed a gun, and tapped his head.
In turn, a revolting sickness bulged in Ava’s stomach. But this time, she was able to keep its contents down. Barely.
“Why would he…” Maddie whispered.
“Hell if I know.”
“Then why aren’t there elevators in the south wing?”
Matthew laughed harshly. “You only question that now?”
“It never mattered until now!”
“It’s for safety,” Ava said softly. “If something happens, everyone on the south side is protected.”
Maddie frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“Our food storage is here. Main ventilation too—"
“That’s not what I mean,” Maddie interjected. “What about the people in the north wing?”
Matthew inhaled slowly.
“Notice how all the newbies, security, and blue-collar guys are stationed there? While offices and critical stuff is down here.”
Maddie narrowed her eyes. “What are you saying?”
“Corporate knows who’s necessary,” Matthew said coldly. “If not, it’s cheaper to pay the next of kin once than salaries forever.”
Maddie staggered back. “What the fuck?”
“You chose to work here.”
“How was I supposed to know?”
“You’re smart enough to connect dots.”
"Shut—!"
“Stop!” Ava screamed.
Both of them turned to her, then to each other, and sighed.
Maddie fiddled with her hair. “Sorry.”
“Yeah,” Matthew muttered. “My bad.”
Ava swallowed, steadying herself.
“Let’s… see if we can find another guard….”
They moved on, Ava slowing her steps, letting Matthew lead.
She hoped that it wasn’t as bad as he’d said.
If Ashley were here, Ava bet she would’ve already figured something out. They’d be halfway to safety by now.
Wherever she was, Ava prayed she was safe.
