CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

My heart sank as I heard the shouts reverberate through the house. I immediately abandoned the shirt I was folding and sprinted to the door to assist the injured party.

I tried to get out, but I'd forgotten I was trapped, so I cut my forehead open on the wooden door.

More screams followed the initial ones, and they were suddenly silenced each time they were repeated. All of the dying cries were dreadful.

When I put my ear to the door, I could hear the commotion of numerous individuals passing in the corridor. Distant, hushed voices trying to talk over one other.

I banged my fist against the door and yelled, "Hello?" hoping to get a response. "Hello?"

Those on the other side of the gap didn't even bother to halt before continuing their escape. Only after they had already left did I hear the distant banging of doors.

The voice of someone calling, "Come out, come out, wherever you are!!!" caught my attention. It sounded like Aric, but it wasn't Aric.

Outside, I could hear the approaching