The stench of blood choked the corridor on the fourth floor. Jack stood frozen at the classroom doorway, his heart pounding like a war drum. He had just taken a step forward when a zombie lunged at him from the shadows, razor-sharp claws slashing through his clothes. Jack stumbled back, slamming the door shut behind him and leaning against it, gasping for breath.
The classroom was deathly silent, save for Jack's ragged breathing. His eyes stayed glued to the door as he gripped the walkie-talkie tightly. On the other end was Tom, his best friend, who was hiding in Room 301 on the third floor with May, trying to evade the zombie horde.
"Tom, what's your situation?" Jack asked, his voice trembling despite his attempt to sound composed.
Tom's voice crackled through the static, panicked but clear. "Jack, I've got May with me, but we're surrounded. Too many zombies at the door — no way out. We've piled desks and chairs into a barricade, but those things are right outside. One meter away, they're ripping people apart. Blood's everywhere."
Jack's heart sank. The situation was even worse than he'd feared. There were zombies on the fourth floor, but fewer, and the victims hadn't all turned yet. On the third floor, it was a full-blown slaughterhouse.
"Room 301," Tom said again, his voice steadying as if he knew Jack needed more details to form a rescue plan.
Jack took a deep breath, mentally steeling himself. He quickly inventoried his supplies: a few steel pens, a utility knife, an iron rod, and a backpack full of food. Crude weapons, but they'd have to do.
He made up his mind — he would climb down the building's exterior to reach Room 301.
Carefully opening the window, Jack leaned out and grabbed the drainage pipe. His heart raced, but his hands were steady. Step by step, he descended the pipe, every move calculated to avoid slipping and plummeting to his death.
Finally, he reached the third floor outside Room 301. The window was locked from the inside — smashing it would draw the zombies' attention. Jack needed a distraction. He pulled a can of soda from his pocket, downed it quickly, and hurled the empty can down the corridor.
The metallic clatter echoed through the hallway, drawing the zombies' attention. Jack watched as several of them lumbered toward the noise.
"Now!" he whispered urgently, gesturing at Tom through the window.
Tom didn't hesitate. He unlocked and pushed open the window. Jack clambered inside, slamming the window shut behind him.
They were together again, but the danger hadn't passed. Desks and chairs formed a makeshift barricade, but it wouldn't hold forever.
May's face was pale as she clung to Tom's arm, terror glinting in her wide eyes.
"We need to get out of here," Jack said firmly, his voice low but resolute. "The lab in the library is our safest bet — fewer people, and we can make weapons there."
Tom nodded, a spark of determination in his eyes. "I can use the lab chemicals to whip up some improvised explosives."
May swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "Lily's in the lab too — she's my best friend. We have to get to her."
Jack's jaw tightened. "Then let's move. Quietly."
As they steeled themselves for the next perilous phase of their escape, the distant groans of the undead echoed through the halls, reminding them that every second counted.