Page 91 of Chalk Outline

With lots of panting and internal cursing, my face heats up as I push it, using every bit of strength I can muster.

Nothing.

It doesn’t budge.

There must be something keeping it bolted to the wall—maybe a latch or a switch that loosens a screw or something. I run my hands along the wall around it, in vain.

I huff in annoyance as I open the door and glance at its contents.

“What should I do?”

I remove the enormous pile of frozen fruit packs I use for my shakes and place them in an empty crate on the floor.

My eyes widen as a red button glows in the cool light of the fridge.

What is that?

I push it once and wait for something mysterious to happen. When nothing does, I push it again, and something disengages like a mechanical lock. Identical sounds echo throughout the room until the entire fridge automatically detaches from the wall.

Holy shit!

All this time, it was right under my nose.

I grasp it with both hands and pull it toward me to see what’s behind it.

A tunnel.

The space is somewhat dusty and dim. I cough as I search for a light switch near the entrance, finally finding it on the inside of the tunnel.

A dingy golden light comes from a single bulb at the entrance, so I take a tentative step forward, but I instantly regret it when the fuse blows, plunging me into darkness.

I rush to grab a gun and a flashlight.

This is technically a bunker...I think.

A shiver runs down my body as if someone is blowing cool air on my skin, even though the suit keeps me warm.

I watched a lot of horror movies growing up, and this can end in two ways: someone might lock me in here, or I’m heading straight to my death.

Fuck it.

I need to know where this goes.

My breathing quickens with each step I take. One hand clutches the gun tightly, while the other holds the flashlight.

A shadow on the wall gets larger the farther I go, even when I start to go faster.

Panting, I’m startled by it seconds before I lower my gaze to see a dead cockroach lying on its back right next to my boot.

Cold sweat gathers on my forehead. My muscles are tense. Goosebumps ripple across my skin in continuous waves as an eerie silence surrounds me.

Glancing back, I can’t see the basement I came from or how far in I am.

“Where are you?” Jason’s thunderous voice startles me, and the flashlight slips from my grip. “Answer me, Winona. You can’t disappear like that. I need to know you’re okay. I’m not playing games.”

That’s a start.

I bend to grab the flashlight and put the gun in the holster. “You arethatobsessed with me, or is it yourjob?“ I sneer.