The Disastrous (Revised)| ✔️

Chapter 21

Ashley

     The ladder shook with impact as all of us climbed out of the tunnel. Noah pushed the trapdoor open and helped the rest of us out quickly. The sun had started to rise, painting the sky in multiple colors.

     "You can't run forever guys!" Zach screamed, his footsteps telling us he was reaching the ladder.

     "Quick slam the trapdoor close," Eve said as she pulled herself up and out of the hole. Noah slammed it closed while I pushed a huge rock over it. "You know that won't stop Zach." 

     I dust my hands off, slightly proud of my new hidden power. "That'll keep him distracted for a while." 

     "And while he does that we could be running or stay and chit chat for a bit," Courtney called, all ready a few feet ahead of us. 

     Right. The forest never seemed to end as we fled. Leaves crunching under our shoes while grass tickled our legs. I saw a run down building come into view and hoped filled me. The buildings bricks were cracking and windows were smashed. Bars that stood barricading the windows. Ivy took hold to the walls and fence. The only thing separating us from the building was the tall fence. 

     Once we reached the fence, Jacob went for the gate. "Its locked," he yelled. 

     "Let me try." I went over and held the chain in my hand. I started to pull on it using my super strength. My muscle started to ache and I felt more tired then before but the gate was still locked. "It's not working." 

     "It's okay. We'll find another way in," Jacob smiled, still keeping hope in mind.

     The gate rattled and Ethan stood on the other side of the fence. "There's a hole over here. Big enough for all of us." 

     Bending down I wiggled my way through the hole in the fence. We all stood staring at the building unsure. "What is this place?" 

     "Maybe we should turn around," Noah said but Eve grabbed his arm turning around. 

     "It's a mental hospital," Courtney answered before walking ahead of the group. "There's got to be funky cool things in here."

     "Should I be concerned that she knows what this place is?" I asked the rest of the group.

     Eve started to walk and answered, "There was a sign back there." 

    Of course. The closer we got the more eerily I felt. Everyone seemed tensed expect Courtney. A crow squawked in a window sill staring down at us. I watched it fly off before continuing. 

     "My grandma had to go to one of these. I've only been in it once to visit her," Ethan whispered loudly. 

     "Hey guys!" Courtney called out to us. She waved from a window second story window. She looked down at as smugly. We all stopped and stared at her. 

     "Courtney stop fooling around. How did you even get up there?" Noah yelled up to her.

     She smirked, "Wouldn't you like to know." We waited for her to response, in which she sighed in frustration. "Just round the building and there's a door opened. Take the stairs and go two doors down. I'll be waiting... unfortunately." 

     We rounded the corner like Courtney said and sure enough there was an open door. I took the stairs two at a time and opened the door. The door lead to a hallway with few doors. Only one stood open and Courtney was leaning against the wall. "Took you guys long enough. Come on!" 

     "Courtney!" 

     She was all ready gone. Walking in, I shudder at the room. 

     Courtney opened a door and turned to look at us, "It's one of those rooms with padded walls. The craziest people went in here. There's in scratch marks on the door."