Echoes 'n Silence (story) part 2 posted 9/11/2008 11:17:30 AM | 4 kudos what's this?     report abuse tagged: drama, mystery

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Echoes ‘n Shadows 2

Fear rushed me as I felt the blood drain from my head and momentary dizziness made me grab for the handrail. I clutched my keys in my hand and for a second considered just flying out the entrance doors to my car but I knew I couldn’t leave. I was responsible for securing the school and I’d failed that responsibility once and I couldn’t do it again.

Heading back to my classroom I closed and locked the door behind me and flipped off the lights. Total blackness assaulted my senses and I felt disoriented. With the room being such a mess I knew I couldn’t navigate it in darkness so I flipped on one set of overhead lights.

Stepping into the shadows, I knew I had to calm down and figure out what to do next. I’d left my cell phone home because they never worked in the school building; no signal there. Although there was a phone in my classroom, it was just an inner phone system and the only outside line was in the principal’s office on the second floor. I had to reach that phone to call for help.

I’d been teaching here for five years and I knew this building like the back of my hand. I figured I could reach the principals office in the dark. Some areas, like stairwells had dim lighting and I thought that would help. Taking a deep breath I decided to leave the light on in my room so whoever came in, if they came to my classroom they’d think I was still inside.

Slipping out the door I took the long hallway to the back side of the building as the principal’s office was closest to the top of those stairs on the second floor. Reaching the steps I could see quite well as the lights from the parking lot glowed through the outside doors. Reaching the top and turning to climb the steps to the first floor I looked up and was startled. The dim stairwell light only lit the steps. Beyond that it was pitch black and it looked like a gaping black hole. Someone could easily be awaiting me within that darkness and I’d not see them until it was too late.

I felt my breath sucked out of me as another wave of fear engulfed me and made a roaring sound in my ears. Anger nipped at my brain for being so stupid to have forgotten about checking those doors in the first place. Now I was stuck, I had to continue.

With my knees shaking I began the ascent and felt like I was heading towards a blackness of my worst nightmare. The closer I came to it, the worse the terror threatened to consume me. Hugging the rail I reached the top step and with my heart racing I inched into that black hole. With my back to the rail I edged around the corner and turned to look up the next flight. I had only one more black hole to deal with then I would be just yards away from the principal’s office.

Again I climbed with my heart in my throat. I was thankful knowing a small night light was left on in that office so finding it among all the classroom doors wouldn’t be difficult. The office was on the right side of the corridor so I quickly crossed the stairs to the right and when I reached the top I could see that tiny glimmer of light less than halfway down the hall.

The fist of fear that gripped my senses loosened a little as now I could see safety ahead of me. Hugging the wall I made a dash to that tiny light as if it was pulling me there like a powerful magnet.

Reaching the door I felt relief wash over me to leave me weak in the knees. I grabbed the doorknob and turned…it was locked!! Oh God…where was my head? I knew that but I’d forgotten. They always keep the principal’s office door locked. Tears stung my eyes and I just wanted to collapse on the floor and bawl like a baby.

Suddenly I became aware of movement in the shadows. I couldn’t be sure if it was movement or just a soft indistinguishable sound. White hot heat exploded around my face as fear gripped me to my soul. I knew now, I wasn’t alone……

To be continued….

(Copyright blbadgley 09/11/08)

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