A Shadowlander’s Dream: Book Three - Rules of the Flesh
Written by Kathryn K Williams
Chapter Thirty-One
Kim carefully crept down the hallway; keeping the flashlight Jenn gave her low in order to keep an eye out for bugbears. Jenn kept close beside Kim with the other girls, Kim counted five in total, stayed close behind them. Before long they came to the stairs to the lobby and Kim took hold of the handle and took a deep breath. Fear filled her heart as she recalled the last time the lights went out and the nightmarish world that stood behind the door. She hoped that there wasn’t another hellish place awaiting her on the other side of this door because she was not ready to face such a thing again.
Quickly she pulled the door opened and was startled by the sight of Kris standing right before here. She jumped back from the door and held her hand to her chest as she tried to catch her breath.
“You… scared me…. to death.” Kim said between breaths.
Kris stepped out of the stairwell with Tanya, Cherilyn and Cathy following closely behind her, “Sorry about that.” She glanced around at the group of girls, “Is everyone alright?”
The girls mumbled in return.
Tanya rushed over to Jenn’s side, “Jenn!!” She hugged the girl tightly, “I’m glad you’re safe.” She glanced at Kim for a second and whispered into the girl’s ear, “Is everything alright?” She inquired worriedly.
Jenn shrugged and leaned against the wall as Kris ushered the other girl’s down the stairs to the lobby, “I’m alright, I guess.” She answered nonchalantly, “Kim needed me so I was helping her when the lights went out.”
“Is she alright?” Cherilyn inquired as she stepped closer to the two girls, noticing Kim was now sitting on the ground in a heap and holding tightly to the flashlight.
Jenn nodded, “Alright as she can be. She forgot everything from the past and could barely remember me when I met her in the hall.”
“Geez.” Tanya rubbed the back of her neck.
Kris approached Kim and knelt beside the girl, “Are you going to be alright?” She asked softly.
Kim raised her head to show a tear streaked face, “I… I…” She stammered, her lips trembling.
Jenn pushed passed her two friends and dropped beside the girl, “Kim??”
Kim shook her head and curled up on the ground, her arms tucked between her knees, “My chest hurts.” She sobbed lightly, the fright of something behind the door scared her more then she thought and she suddenly felt very lost.
Jenn glanced up at her friends, “Maybe I should take her downstairs.” She suggested.
Kris lightly touched Kim on the back, “Kim…?” She asked quietly, “Kim, I don’t know if this will help, but Penny is waiting for you downstairs.”
“Penny…” As if the sound of the girl’s name had some sort of power over Kim she slowly uncurled herself and struggled to stand. “S… she needs me…” She said weakly and started towards the stairs.
Jenn wrapped an arm around the girl’s waist, “Up you go.” She said as she helped the girl to her feet and the two girls passed through the door to the stairs.
Kris watched them for a moment and considered following when Tanya spoke up.
“Kris, we should check on the other girls.” She said seriously, “I know you want to protect Jenn, but leave her alone for the moment.”
Kris nodded and turned back to the dorm halls searching the two halls that stretched out before them. They had decided to split into groups of two, each taking a row of doors and knocking upon each one as they went along. Natalie and Misty took a group of three other girls up the cafeteria stairs at the far end to the top floor, while Kris, Tanya, Cherilyn and Cathy started at this end on the second floor.
“Cathy and I will go this way.” Kris stated, pointing down the hall to the right, “You two go that way.” Pointing down the hall straight in front of them.
Tanya turned her flashlight down the hall, “Alright.” She glanced over her shoulder at Kris, “Be careful.” She warned.
“You too.” Kris added and the four girls split up.
*****
To be Continued . . .
*****
Note: The world of the Shadowlands, Its stories, Characters and ideas are a copyright of Kathryn K Williams.
This story is based upon my manga of the same name. If you wish to view art from this series please visit my deviant arts site at: http://shinigami-shimai.deviantart.com/
For more of my stories visit my deviant hearts site at: http://www.devianthearts.com/viewuser.php?uid=159
Also if you spot any typos or other errors please contact me at katwilliams @ rogers.com
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