Ethan picked up the spear as the group of five moved swiftly yet cautiously toward the library, their senses heightened by the recent battle. To reach the library, they had to cross an open courtyard and then navigate through another building. The tension was palpable, every step taken with utmost care.
Before exiting the L-shaped building, they paused, scanning their surroundings for any sign of goblins. Seeing none, they hurried across the open area and entered the second building. The moment they stepped inside, loud footsteps and low screeches echoed through the halls, as if a large group of goblins was communicating and heading their way.
Panic surged within them as they quickly ducked into a nearby classroom. Inside, the sight was gruesome—blood splattered everywhere, but no bodies in sight. It was as if the goblins had taken the bodies elsewhere.
"I think they're killing people and then rounding up their bodies somewhere," William said, his voice hushed but filled with dread.
"What do you think they're doing with them?" Aiden asked, his face pale.
"I don't know, but I sure as hell don't want to find out," Mark responded, his eyes wide with fear.
They left the door ajar, positioning themselves where they couldn't be seen from the outside. A group of fifteen goblins passed by, their grunts and screeches filling the air. The group held their breath, praying they wouldn't be discovered. Fortunately, the goblins continued toward the L-shaped building, likely to cause the same carnage they had just witnessed.
Once the goblins were out of sight, they resumed their journey to the library. The screams of both people and goblins echoed through the hallways, a chilling reminder of what awaited them if they were caught. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, making each step feel heavier than the last.
William led the way, his grip on the knife firm. The others followed closely behind, their makeshift weapons at the ready. Every corner turned, every shadow flitted by, could be hiding a new threat.
Finally, they reached the library doors. William opened one slowly, peering inside. It seemed empty, so he motioned for the others to follow. They entered cautiously, closing the door quietly behind them. The library was dark, lit only by a skylight that let in a sliver of light through the stormy clouds.
"We should barricade the door with some tables and chairs," William suggested. "It'll make it harder for the goblins to get in."
They worked quickly, stacking tables and chairs into a five-foot-high barricade, leaving a small gap in the middle just wide enough for them to squeeze through. Exhausted, they sat down, trying to catch their breath.
"Do you think this is happening everywhere or just at our school?" Aiden asked, breaking the silence.
"I don't know," William replied, shaking his head. "We should try calling the police. Maybe they'll help."
Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed 911. The group held their breath, hoping for a miracle. But the phone just kept ringing with no answer. He tried again, but the result was the same—no response.
"Maybe we should try someone else's phone," Ethan suggested, his voice tinged with desperation.
Aiden took out his phone and dialed, but again, no one answered. There was the clap of thunder in the distance, then his phone shut off. "My phone just died," Aiden said, his voice filled with worry.
"Mine too," Ethan added, looking at his darkened screen.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Lucas said, his face etched with concern.
William took a deep breath, trying to stay composed. "The way I see it, we have two options, we either stay here and hope for rescue, or we leave the school and avoid the goblin hordes."
"I think we should stay," Ethan said. "It seems safe enough here, and there's no blood, so maybe they haven't been in here."
"Just because they haven't been here doesn't mean they won't come," Lucas argued.
"It's safer than the classroom where they're actively looking for people," Ethan countered.
"Let's have a vote," mark suggested. "I vote we leave."
"I vote we stay," Ethan said.
"I vote we stay," Lucas added.
"I vote we leave," Aiden said.
William realized the final decision was his. "I vote we leave. We'll rest for a while catch our breath, then move out."
They settled in, their nerves frayed but hopeful for a brief respite. After about thirty minutes, the door creaked open. Their hearts pounded as they gripped their makeshift weapons. A goblin entered, its eyes locking onto them as it screeched and charged. Ethan thrust the spear forward, impaling the goblin and halting its advance. Aiden quickly retrieved the crystal from its chest, finally seeing the blue screen the others had described.
"I think this is our sign to get out of here," William said, his voice steady but urgent. "I don't want a group of those things coming in here."
"They're probably blocking both exits to the school, the main entrance and the one by the gym," Mark noted.
Leading the group outside, William formulated a plan. "I think these monsters are taking people to the gym. It's the only place large enough to hold so many."
"I think we should try the front entrance," Lucas suggested.
As they headed toward the front entrance, the sound of approaching goblins grew louder. They ducked into another classroom, hoping to avoid detection. But to their horror, a goblin was already inside, watching them with malevolent eyes. It screeched, alerting its comrades.
"Prepare yourselves!" William shouted, his voice a mix of fear and determination. The group readied their weapons, knowing that their fight for survival had just begun.