Chapter 3: Ava
Ava's lungs were burning.
She had been running for what felt like hours but was probably only twenty minutes since those things broke into the cafeteria. Her backpack bounced against her spine with each step, and she could hear one of those dog creatures getting closer behind her.
She turned the corner near the science wing and almost tripped over a pile of debris. The whole school looked like a war zone. Windows were shattered everywhere, lockers were bent and twisted, and there were dark stains on the walls that she really didn't want to think about.
The growling behind her got louder.
She risked a look back and saw the thing gaining on her. It was one of those horrible dog-like monsters, but bigger than any dog she had ever seen. Its teeth were way too long and it had this patchy, gross fur that looked wet with something dark.
"Shit, shit, shit," she whispered, pushing herself to run faster even though her legs felt like jelly.
She rounded another corner and saw the main hallway ahead. Maybe if she could get to the front doors, she could make it outside. Maybe those things couldn't follow her out there. Maybe someone would help her.
The creature behind her let out this awful howl that made her skin crawl. She could practically feel its breath on her neck now.
Just as she was sure she was done for, something flew past her and slammed into the monster with a loud crash. The thing went flying into the wall and hit it so hard that the drywall cracked.
Ava stumbled to a stop, gasping for air. She turned around and saw a guy standing where the monster had been. He was tall and skinny, wearing the same blue school uniform as everyone else, but his was completely trashed. Stained and faded and torn in places.
He had kicked the creature. Actually kicked it hard enough to send it flying. That was impossible. Nobody was that strong.