(5) Mission not possible

With a loud thump, I land inside the school building, and I instantly regret it as the security alarm blares through the night.

Shit! How could I have overlooked this?

Panic surges through me as I spin around, gripping the fence in an attempt to climb back out. But before I can get myself up, flashing lights sweep across the yard. My stomach drops. The alarm has already drawn the security guards. I'm so screwed.

Without wasting another second, I bolt towards the school building. My body is ice-cold with fear The school is huge, and if luck is on my side, they won't be able to catch me.

As I near the elevator, I yank my hood over my head, ensuring my face is concealed. My baseball cap and mask add an extra layer of disguise, the only precautions I could afford since the school is filled with surveillance cameras.

I slam my finger against the elevator button, but the second I do, another alarm rings out. Immediately, the reception area lights up.

What the hell?! Why are there so many security measures?

Never in my wildest dream would I have thought I would experience this. Panic constricts my chest, but there's no time to process it. I turn around and sprint towards the stairs, running as if my life depends on it—because right now, it does.

I reach the floor where my classroom is and come to a stop as an idea strikes me. Without hesitation, I dart into one of the science labs, frantically scanning the room. My eyes land on a container of small metal balls, and relief washes over me.

Footsteps echo in the hallway, getting closer. My pulse pounds in my ears.

I grab a handful of the metal balls and dash to the locker room. As soon as I get there, I aim carefully and hurl the balls at the surveillance cameras, shattering them one by one.

I don't have much time.

Once the cameras are destroyed, I rush to my locker, punch in my passcode, and squeeze myself inside. Thank God it's spacious enough to fit a person.

I shut my mouth tightly as I hear voices outside

"The intruder must be here. The cameras in this area were taken out," a man says, his voice sharp with authority.

My heart nearly jumps out of my chest.

"Search every corner. They have to be here somewhere," another voice commands.

I press myself against the cold metal walls, barely breathing as footsteps approach. Time goes by, and the air inside my locker grows stuffy and suffocating.

Hours pass, and they still haven't given up the search. My body is starting to ache, and my head pounds like crazy. It's past two in the morning.

At least they can't open my locker. Every locker in this school is programmed to be accessed only by its owner. Even if they suspect I'm inside, they won't be able to get me out unless I choose to go out.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I nearly drop it in surprise. I quickly bring it to my face. It's Caleb.

Why is he calling me this late?

I can't risk answering, so I switch to text.

Me: What's up?

Caleb: Where are you?

Me: In my room, sleeping.

Caleb: No, you're not. I'm in your room.

Oh no.

My stomach twists into knots. Who else at home knows I'm missing? There's no way I can talk my way out of this. I'm definitely getting caught tonight.

Breathing is getting more uncomfortable now. My legs are sore and I feel dizzy.

My phone lights up again—three question marks from Caleb. I don't respond. I'm too tired, too drained. If I make it out of here in one piece, I swear I'll never try breaking into the school again.

Before I can think about my next move, I hear the piercing wail of an alarm.

Again?! Someone else must have triggered it.

"Some of you stay here. The rest, follow me," a guard orders. The hallway, once filled with security personnel, suddenly feels quieter. Some of them are still around, but at least their numbers have thinned.

Not long after, another alarm blares, followed by hurried footsteps as the guards rush toward the disturbance.

Maybe this is finally my chance to escape—God I hope this works out.

Holding my breath, I slowly push open my locker. The tiny click is barely audible. Peeking out, I spot a guard standing at the far end of the hall, his back turned to me. Good.

I shut my locker door as quietly as I can then dash for the stairs running on full speed.

My heart hammers against my ribs as I descend, my footsteps light yet swift. When I reach the reception area, relief washes over me. The alarm has stopped and the security guards are nowhere in sight. Finally, a way out.

I race toward the fence, scrambling up as fast as I can. The second my feet hit the ground on the other side, an ear-splitting alarm erupts again.

Are you kidding me?!

I groan in frustration as flashing lights beam down on me.

"Culprit located! Backup needed at—"

The guard's voice fades as a sharp ringing fills my ears. My head spins. Everything around me feels blurry. The only things I register are the pounding of my heart, the white noise in my ears, and the singular thought repeating in my mind: Run.

Without looking back, I dart into the nearest bushes, leaving the open roads behind. It's my only shot at escape.

Branches whip against my arms and legs as I push forward. My throat is dry, and my chest burns, but I don't stop. I can't.

I have no idea how long I've been running or where I'm even headed. My only goal is to get as far away from the school as possible.

Then, pain—searing, unbearable pain—shoots through my foot.

"Ahhh!"

I scream as I collapse to the ground, clutching my ankle. Something sharp has pierced through my shoe, digging deep into my skin.

Is this it? Am I finally getting caught?

What if I don't survive this?

Tears spill from my eyes as the full weight of the situation crashes down on me. I don't want to die here—not like this, not when I still have so much left to do.

Wait. My phone.

My trembling hands reach for my pockets, but they come up empty. My chest tightens.

No. No, no, no.

Did I leave it behind?

I sob harder as reality sets in. I'm stranded. Alone. Helpless.

My vision blurs. My body feels unbearably light, as exhaustion consumes me.

Soon, I hear footsteps approaching and my heart races.

Who is it?

Suddenly, I feel strong arms lifting me from the ground.

A man.

Panic grips me from the inside.

Has security finally caught me?

I try to struggle, but my body refuses to cooperate. My mind grows foggy, darkness pressing in from all sides.

Then, before I can process anything else, my world fades to blackness.