Page 8 of Beautiful Collide

“Not so what.” She shakes her head, beginning to pace, not even looking at me. “We’re trapped in here.” Her voice rises, urgency creeping in.

“Now you’re just being dramatic,” I say, trying and failing to lighten the mood.

“Yeah? Why don’t you try to open it?” she challenges, finally peering over her shoulder with an arched eyebrow.

So I do just that.

I stride over to the door, my hard steps echoing in the small space as my shoes clap against the concrete floor.

Once I’m standing in front of the door, the possibility that she’s right starts to sink in. I have a game soon. I can’t be late. There’ll be hell to pay if I am.

I reach my hand out, my fingers grasping the cold metal, and try to turn the knob.

Nothing.

It won’t move.

It doesn’t even budge.

A flash of brown catches my eyes. I pivot to see what it is. Her hair. It sways with the movement of her body.

I’m not sure what I’m witnessing.

Her tiny hands fist.

Her lips move fast, stumbling over incoherent mutters.

Is sheshaking?

Fuck.

2

Molly

I take a deep breath.Not that it helps.

No matter how hard I try, I can’t breathe.

The air feels dense around me, reminding me of the early morning fog when it clings desperately to the windshield of a car.

Why are the walls closing in?

The storage closet isn’t small.

This shouldn’t be happening.

I thought I was better.I’m not.

A heart shouldn’t race this fast.

I drop down to the floor, my legs no longer able to hold the weight of my body.

A strange, metallic scent clogs my nostrils, and my ears start to ring.

Cue the dizziness.

I press myself down lower until my head kisses the concrete. Invisible hands tighten around my heart, constricting the organ in my chest.

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