Chereads / earth orc / Chapter 372 - 79

Chapter 372 - 79

The others turn to look at the screens, contemplating the same gap that you're examining.

"Could work," Michelle says finally. "We'd have to run like hell, which I guess is appropriate in this case. But we could make it."

You look around at the others, whose expressions have a similarly optimistic air. As far as plans go, it seems like it's the best that you have.

Matron, who has moved over to Grace, apparently carrying out a further examination, straightens up, looking at you.

"Well, if you're decided," they say, "then I suppose we—"

Their next words are stalled by a sudden thundering against the basement door, causing all of you to turn, staring at the rattling metal shutter as it's struck by impact after impact.

"Well," Matron continues, "I suppose that should make it obvious. You need to go."

"What about you?" Michelle asks, her voice determinedly casual as she looks at Matron.

"Grace and I will take an alternative route to you," Matron assures Michelle. "I assume that they will be concerned with hunting down the larger party."

"Great," Sonia mutters.

"All that remains," Matron goes on, ignoring the vampire, "is to determine which route you shall take. Did you have any thoughts?"

"Preferably not the catacombs," Max says firmly. "You vampires have got night vision built in, but it's going to be dark as hell down there, and I don't like the idea of squaring up to some kind of monster without being able to see properly."

"I'd prefer that to going up in the rafters," Fritz murmurs, twitching his stump. "My balance isn't in the best place right now, and I don't much fancy the idea of taking a fall on top of everything else I've gone through."

Will coughs, looking slightly nervous. "That still sounds a lot better than going through…well, some kind of magical door." He glances, almost awkwardly, at Matron. "Some of this eldritch stuff is still a bit difficult to get your head around." Romilly, beside him, nods fervently.

Once everyone seems to have said their piece, various heads turn towards you, once again making you the focus. The choice, it seems, is yours again.