I didn't know what happened after I cried into Mr. Koroma's chest. Maybe I passed out.
Maybe my mind shut itself down to survive.
All I knew was that when I opened my eyes, the world was moving too fast.
Wind rushed past my ears. My stomach lurched. My arms hung uselessly as I realized—I was on someone's back.
Mr. Koroma's back.
He was running.
The corridors blurred around us, lights flickering overhead, shadows stretching and snapping like claws. My head throbbed as confusion washed over me.
"Teacher…?" I croaked. "What's—"
Gunshots cracked behind us.
The sound ripped through the hallway, sharp and deafening. My heart nearly stopped. I twisted my head and saw them—two men in dark uniforms, rifles raised, boots pounding against the floor as they chased us.
"What's going on?!" I shouted.
"They found us!" Rose yelled, her voice strained as she ran beside us.
My stomach dropped.
Found us.
The same cold certainty settled in my chest—the same men who shot Amily. The same people who turned children into experiments. Killers wearing calm faces.
I tightened my grip instinctively, and that's when I felt it.
Mr. Koroma was slowing down.
His breathing was ragged, uneven. His steps began to falter. Blood soaked through the back of his shirt, warm against my legs.
He was injures were bad and yet—he was still carrying me.
"Put me down!" I shouted. "Teacher, I can walk! Please!"
He didn't answer at first.
Another gunshot rang out, closer this time.
Finally, he staggered to a stop and lowered me to the ground. The moment my feet touched the floor, his legs buckled.
He swayed, lost consciousness, and collapsed forward.
I barely caught him.
"Teacher!" I cried, wrapping my arms around him as we stumbled forward together.
Rose glanced back at us, panic flashing across her face.
Then she stopped.
"Hendry," she said suddenly.
"What?" I gasped.
"We need to split up."
My heart slammed violently against my ribs. "What?! No—are you insane?!"
"It's the only way," she said quickly, eyes darting to the hallway behind us. "I'll distract them. You take Mr. Koroma somewhere safe."
"That's dangerous!" I snapped. "You'll—"
"I'll be fine," she interrupted and smiled.
A small, soft smile that didn't belong in a place like this.
Before I could grab her, she shoved us into a side room and slammed the door shut.
"Wait—Rose!!"
I lunged forward, but it was too late.
Through the crack of the closing door, I saw her sprint down the corridor alone. The gunmen followed her without hesitation.
They didn't even notice us.
"Rose…" I whispered.
The hallway fell silent again.
Then Mr. Koroma groaned.
I snapped back to reality and lowered him carefully to the floor. Blood pooled beneath him, dark and spreading too fast.
"No, no, no…" My hands shook as I searched the room, desperation clawing at my chest.
And somehow—some miracle—I found a first aid box.
It was old. Rusted. The bandages smelled faintly of metal and dust, but i didn't care.
I pressed cloth against the wound, tied it tight, whispered prayers I hadn't said in years. I checked his pulse. Weak—but there. His breathing was shallow, but steady.
Please. Please don't die.
After a while, I crept to the door and peeked out.
Nothing.
No footsteps. No voices.
The coast was clear—for now.
I hoisted Mr. Koroma up, draping his arm around my shoulder. He was heavy. Every step burned, but I didn't stop.
We walked through the silent hall, our footsteps echoing like they didn't belong to us.
"Where…" he murmured weakly. "Where's Rose?"
My throat tightened.
"She… she went to distract the gunmen."
His eyes widened instantly. "What?"
"I tried to stop her," I said quickly. "She wouldn't listen."
He went quiet.
Then he let out a slow, broken sigh.
"I hope she's alright," he whispered.
"Yeah," I replied.
But even as I said it, my chest felt hollow