FORTY-THREE

A DARK sense of foreboding hung in the air like a shroud, the eerie quiet broken only by the sound of their footsteps. The hallway was a stark contrast to the brightness outside, the closed classroom doors and windows shrouding them in shadows. The only light came from the harsh fluorescent bulbs overhead, casting a sickly glow across the linoleum floor.

Even the silence felt ominous as if they were walking through a tomb rather than a school. Every nerve was on edge, every hair on the back of their necks standing on end. The children hurried along, their eyes darting from side to side, searching for any sign of movement in the shadows.

Lena shivered, wishing she had never gotten involved in this mess. "Geez! It's so eerie in here," she muttered as she picked up her pace, scurrying to keep up with the others. "Why is so quiet?"

Gina rolled her eyes. "Uh, because everyone is at the Halloween party?" She snapped, the irritation in her voice was palpable. "What did you exp