The auditorium doors opened with a loud creak that echoed too much. The air inside was colder—thicker too—and when they stepped in, the door shut behind them with a thud, cutting off the little light from the hall.
It was almost totally black, except for one thing: a single light shined down on the stage, lighting up a patch of wooden floor and making deep shadows across the twisted rows of chairs. The rest was covered in darkness. Even the frosted walls didn't shine. No movement. No moans. Just the low buzz of electricity and the soft creaking of metal.
The sound of chairs rattling.
Liam's chest got tight.
They moved in a line. Elise, Riley, Mark, Jason, Mia, and the others stayed close behind. No one talked. Breathing was quiet. Each step was careful between turned-over chairs and broken boards. Even their footsteps echoed too loud.
Something was wrong.
