Lucas glanced from Quiet-girl to the exit she’d indicated. There was a scent of tainted fresh air that normally accompanied the area around the school’s parking lots. He eyed Cellphone-girl and hoped that her strength could force open the vent quietly; the need for subtlety during their escape so far having been flagrantly ignored not instilling him with much confidence.

Not for the first time he wished he had his old tool-kit with him. He’d put the thing away in one of the deepest, darkest corners of his room. It brought back memories that he would rather forget, memories of building things in dark rooms for a man with a mocking smile and cold laugh. With a small jerk Lucas shook the visions from his head. Now wasn’t the time to lose focus. He gave the two young women a silent nod to show his approval of the next step in their plans.