Wandering Gone

"Vacant School" Chapter 5 Part 2/2

Aden scampers down the staircase, his heart pounding like a wild stallion. The sinewy appendages that lay in wait atop the stairs, sensing his retreat, chose not to pursue him into the depths below. As he descends, his eyes catch a fleeting sight of an emerald portal, nestled within the seemingly endless corridor. Aden's mind races, for he knows this door was not present in his previous venture.

Ren remains by the girl's side, shadowing her every move as she scours the room for something, anything. Her fingers curl around a paper cutter, and with an unexpected surge of strength, she snaps it in two, the blade now nestled in her grasp. Suddenly, a sinister tentacle slithers menacingly along the wall, lunging towards the girl. In a swift act of bravery, Ren positions herself as a human shield, brandishing her makeshift weapon. The tentacle, fueled by a growing rage, thrashes about, wreaking havoc upon its surroundings, causing delicate art pieces to crash to the floor. With a determined thrust, Ren drives her blade into the writhing appendage, but her efforts fall short, unable to sever it completely. The tentacle spasms uncontrollably, propelling Ren forcefully into the art room wall.

As the girl awakens from her slumber, her eyes meet Ren's figure lurking in the dimly lit corner of the room. Disheveled and bruised, as if she had engaged in a fierce battle. Struggling to rise, she extends her right arm, seeking support from the nearby table. With anticipation, she leans forward, hoping to find stability in her grasp, only to miss her mark entirely. Gravity takes hold, forcefully slamming her body against the unforgiving floor. A resounding thud echoes through the room as her head collides with the ground, causing her senses to jolt and rattle within her skull. A guttural grunt escapes her lips, a testament to the pain she endures. In that moment, she recalls the peril she faced, her gaze searching for the tentacle that relentlessly pursued her. However, the sudden jerk of her head triggers a throbbing headache, hindering her focus. If the tentacle truly lurked within these walls, surely it would emit a cacophony of clamor, right? Turning onto her back, she experiences a searing agony in her right hand, despite its apparent absence. Ren's hand lifts her arm, her eyes catching the piercing glare directed at Aden, who stands ominously in the doorway.

Aden strides confidently towards the girl, effortlessly hoisting her onto his shoulder, snatching her away from Ren's clutches. The girl casts a wary glance back at Ren, half-expecting her to retaliate, but soon realizes that only she can perceive her presence. However, this does not diminish Ren's seething anger. The expression on her face reveals a vexed irritation, aware that she is powerless to rectify his wrongdoing. Curiosity gnaws at her as she ponders why the pursuing tentacles abruptly ceased their chase. "Do you have any idea how long I've been unconscious?" she queries Aden, her breath caressing his neck. "I can't determine how long you were unconscious for.” Aden responds, averting his gaze with a flustered demeanor. In this moment, Aden comprehends that he has never been in such close proximity to a girl his age before. He deliberately slows his pace, yearning to prolong this fleeting connection. Ren kicks his legs in frustration, prompting Aden to glance behind him, almost losing his balance but managing to steady the girl just in time. Aden readjusts his grip, and the girl instinctively wraps her arm around Aden's neck, desperate to maintain her balance. Together, they forge ahead on their journey towards the enigmatic green door.

“I don't have the ability to change what's going to happen,” Ren's voice softly drifts through the air, reaching the girl's ears. Intrigued, she yearns to inquire about Ren's cryptic musings, but her curiosity is abruptly diverted as she stumbles upon the enigmatic emerald door. Unlike its predecessor, a rustic wooden door nestled within the depths of the cave, this verdant gateway possesses an ethereal allure, crafted from intricate stained glass. Positioned adjacent to the library's entrance, it had remained concealed during their previous explorations of the school.

The girl is struck blind by a red stream cascading from her wounded skull, a consequence of her futile struggle to rise. Already pallid, her complexion grows even more ghostly. Curiously, her arm ceases its bleeding, a peculiar occurrence in itself. In any other circumstance, she would have surely bled out, but fate had other plans. Feeble and frail, the girl lacks the strength to even support her own weight. Aden's attention is drawn to the girl's bleeding head, the scarlet liquid staining his shoulder. He knows he must seek medical aid for her, or else she will surely meet her demise. Uncertain of his next move, he resolves to press onward, grasping the doorknob and propelling it forward.