Chapter 14: Trapped in the Dark
1071 Words
Professor Kendrick stood at the front of the classroom, adjusting his glasses as he addressed the students.
“For your next practical task, I’m assigning partners. You’ll be taking inventory of the academic supplies in various storage areas. Your report should list what’s available and what’s missing.”
Groans filled the room.
Hannah sat up straight when Professor Kendrick began listing the pairs.
“You’ll be working in pairs to organize and take inventory of various storage rooms on campus.”
She exhaled in relief when she heard her name next to Jack’s.
At least it’s Jack and not Dylan.
Across the room, Dylan leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen lazily against his notebook. He wasn’t even paying attention. Whatever task he got, his partner could handle it.
Hannah glanced at Jack, who gave her an easy smile.
“Guess we’re partners,” he said.
She nodded. “Let’s do our best.”
Dylan rolled his eyes. So predictable.
---
After class, Hannah and Jack headed toward the second-floor storage room near the library, where they had been assigned.
Jack pulled the door open. “Ladies first,” he joked.
Hannah chuckled as she stepped inside, taking in the dimly lit space. The room was small but packed with shelves of old books, office supplies, and broken equipment.
Jack followed her in, glancing around. “This place hasn’t been used in ages.”
She nodded and pulled out the inventory sheet. “Let’s divide the tasks—”
Before she could finish, a voice interrupted.
“Hey, Carter.”
Hannah turned to see Dylan standing in the doorway, hands stuffed in his pockets.
Jack raised an eyebrow. “What’s up, man?”
Dylan smirked. “Professor Kendrick asked me to switch places with you. Something about needing you for a different task.”
Jack looked confused. “Seriously? Right now?”
Dylan shrugged. “That’s what he said.”
Hannah frowned. This was way too sudden.
Jack hesitated before sighing. “Alright, guess I better go.”
“See ya,” Dylan said casually as Jack walked past him.
And then—before Hannah could react, Dylan stepped inside… and the door swung shut behind him.
Click.
---
Hannah’s stomach dropped.
She spun around, gripping the doorknob. She twisted it—but it wouldn’t budge.
“What the—” Dylan tried it too. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
She knocked hard. “Jack? Are you still there?”
Silence.
Dylan pressed his forehead against the door, muttering a curse. “No way. We’re locked in.”
Hannah turned to him, eyes narrowing. “You planned this, didn’t you?”
Dylan scoffed. “Oh, please. You think I’d lock myself in here just to annoy you?”
She folded her arms. “That’s exactly something you’d do.”
He opened his mouth to argue—but then sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“Look, I didn’t do anything. And right now, that doesn’t matter. What matters is getting out.”
Hannah exhaled sharply. He’s right.
Still, of all people to be locked in with… why him?
---
Minutes passed. Then half an hour.
No one came.
Hannah leaned against the shelves, arms crossed. Dylan sat on the floor, tapping his fingers against his knee.
“Unbelievable,” he muttered. “If I knew this would happen, I would’ve let Jack stay.”
She shot him a look. “Well, no one asked you to switch in the first place.”
Dylan smirked. “Jealous? You wanted Jack here instead?”
She groaned. “Not everything is about you, Dylan.”
He chuckled, stretching his legs out. “Could’ve fooled me.”
Hannah rolled her eyes, focusing back on the inventory sheet. She tried to distract herself by organizing a few supplies, but the silence in the room made it impossible to ignore the situation.
The dim light flickered above them, casting long shadows across the cramped space.
“Great,” Dylan muttered. “Just what we need. A horror movie setting.”
Hannah ignored him.
Another stretch of silence.
Then—without thinking—Dylan spoke.
“…Do you really believe it?”
Hannah blinked. “Believe what?”
His eyes stayed on the ceiling.
“That everything happens for a reason.”
She hesitated. “Yes.”
Dylan scoffed. “Of course, you’d say that.”
She frowned. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
He smirked lazily. “You always have this idealistic view on life. Like some fairytale where everything makes sense.”
Hannah crossed her arms. “And you think life is just random chaos?”
Dylan exhaled. “Pretty much.”
She studied him for a moment.
Dylan Harris, always so sure of himself. Always acting like he had the upper hand.
But right now, something in his voice… it didn’t sound as confident as usual.
Not that he’d ever admit it.
---
Another half hour passed.
The heat in the small room became more noticeable. The lack of ventilation made the air thick and stuffy.
Hannah wiped her forehead, feeling oddly drained.
Dylan noticed the way she swayed slightly when she moved.
“Hey,” he said, frowning. “What’s with you?”
Hannah shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
But Dylan wasn’t buying it. He narrowed his eyes.
“You look like you’re about to pass out.”
She shot him an annoyed look. “I’m fine.”
He let out a short laugh. “Sure. That’s why you’re leaning against the shelf like it’s the only thing keeping you standing.”
Hannah clenched her jaw and forced herself to move away from the support.
Dylan rolled his eyes. “Right. Real convincing.”
Before she could snap back, the lights flickered again—and this time, went completely dark.
Hannah sucked in a breath.
A full blackout.
Dylan cursed under his breath. “Fantastic.”
The room fell into complete silence, save for the faint rustling as they both adjusted to the darkness.
Hannah’s fingers curled around the edge of a shelf.
She wasn’t afraid of the dark.
But being trapped in it? That was another story.
Dylan shifted. “Well. Looks like we’re stuck here for a while.”
His tone was casual, but Hannah could sense his irritation.
She let out a slow breath.
Trapped. Alone. With Dylan.
For who knew how long.
- Writer
