Hazel shrieked, backing up in shock so quickly that she nearly fell over Mark. She righted herself as best she could, grabbing his arm and yanking violently, trying to dash up the stairs. She was grateful for the light he had flipped on, grateful she could see clearly. A small numb line of thought drifted serenely underneath the adrenaline the was propelling her legs forward.

[i]One of the others is playing a prank...[/i] It was too late to listen to that small voice. She didn't care if it was a prank, she didn't care how stupid she would look, she just wanted out of the basement.

"Hey!" She shouted, trying to get the attention of the people upstairs. "Hey!"