Jim had tried running as fast as he could, which wasn’t fast at all. Initially, he had been headed back towards the cave where he knew Lex and Kat would hopefully wait safely, but then he realized he would be leading the monster right to them. It was too late to turn away from the alley now, so Jim kept his pace and ran right over the door to the cave. Once he reached the end, he took an abrupt turn onto another street. With lack of food came lack of energy, and not only that but his bones were weak from age, causing the run to be a great struggle. Eventually he was limping and he knew that he couldn’t go much further. So, right after turning another quick corner around a building, he tossed himself through a door slamming it shut behind him. Jim’s shaking legs couldn’t hold him up anymore, so he slid down against a wall, almost immediately losing consciousness.

-----

Lex had been asleep for almost thirty-two hours when she finally awoke to a loud bang right up above her door. At this point she realized that Jim and the little girl were missing, causing Lex’s heart to freeze. Without any hesitation, Lex jumped onto her feet and climbed the steps up to the wooden door leading out. She undid the latch and placed both hands above her and pushed. Lex communicated all her strength from her arms to the door, yet nothing seemed to budge. 

“Jim?” She whispered as loudly as she could while still pushing with all her strength. 

A few minutes later and the door still hadn’t opened. Lex had listened for any other noises, yet none seemed to present themselves. Lex was confused. She had no idea what happened and no idea where that loud sound had come from. If Jim was out there hurt, there was nothing she could do. She was stuck in the cave, helpless. A sense of claustrophobia came over Lex. She never realized how small their little sanctuary was. 

Not until she was trapped in it.