CH 41 - GET THROUGH THE SECOND FLOOR
The classroom was thick with dust and silence. Air cold enough to bite at exposed skin.
Liam crouched near the door. His fingers traced jagged cracks where frost had crept like veins across wood.
Around him, the group checked their makeshift weapons—broken chair leg here, splintered desk plank there. Each held tight. Knuckles white with tension.
Mark stepped forward. Pressed his shoulder into the door.
It didn't move. Not even an inch.
He tried again, harder, but the door refused to budge.
"It's like something's blocking it from the other side," he muttered.
Liam joined him. Planting both hands against the doorframe. He pushed with all his might, but the door remained unmoved.
Solid as ice.
The boy from the trio—Amar—stepped closer. His eyes sharp and eager.
"Should I try?" he asked. Fingers twitching.
Mark raised a hand. Cutting him off. No. Not yet.
"We need more force," Mark said. "Jason, Ron, Liam, and me. We'll kick it down."
