SOTF Archive/SOTF Classic

If Raina was physically capable of rolling her eyes any harder at Johnny, she'd be able to fund her own experiments involving centrifugal force. He had a point, though, and Alice seemed to be coming around, so that was that.

"Good, warm fuzzies all around. Now let's beat it." She gave Alice a nod of thanks as the other girl held the door open for her and stepped into the (also-flooded) hallway. "Looks like we're going up; come on."

She led the way to the stairs at the end of the dark, flooded hall, doing her best to ignore the various noises and snatches of possible conversations she heard from behind the other closed doors.

((Raina Rose continued in Needles and Pins))

There was a bag lying in a puddle near Johnny's feet. He hefted it onto his shoulder, offering a silent prayer as he did so that nothing inside be damaged by the water, and that it not be too heavy.

On one count, at least, it seemed God was listening.

He clasped the girl's upper arm as he passed her, heading out the door.

"Good to have you along, kid!"

At some point he would really need to learn her name.

[Johnny Ray McKay continued in Needles and Pins]

Alice gave a weak smile at Johnny as he passed. She turned around to look into the damp, foul room. While she was glad that she wasn't spending the last of her days in there, she still worried. There was the very real chance people were already dying, or would be soon.

She didn't want to die. It was such a naïve, obvious concept, but applied so aggressively to this situation. She was scared. But fear accomplished nothing. She had to be brave. Wasn't that what people said? Courage is bravery in spite of fear? So she had to be smart, resourceful, and brave.

Also sneaky. But for now, she'd stick to this group. Likely a larger group would be a more risky target. So sticking with people early on, when the killers haven't got as much resolve, seemed a safe bet. She could always slip away if things went poorly, if they got into danger.

Alice closed the door behind her, and started making her way back up the hallway with the other two.

((Alice Baker continued in Needles and Pins))