Ashlie's POV

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A cooling liquid trails down my temple as I try to spot some way out. "Hey!- maybe you havn't noticed, but we're trapped in a stupid comic book store!" I exclaim to the group as they argue, seeming to ignore our current situation. My hands palm the wall. There must be another way out.

We got cornered when Fred lost control of his gun and freaked. In which he made a dash for the back room. Which left us with two options; stay and have them wrap around us- so that way when we run out of ammo, and our deaths are quick, they're also painful. Or follow the idiot to the back room, Common sense made the choice for me.

God- Why did I even agree to this run?! I mean- I perceived going would be such a complete waste of time and energy. Which is what I told them back at the motel! So, someone, please tell me how I ended up here! I try to think back-

Cami insisted we get some books for Benjamin to read, and to no surprise, everyone agreed like it wasn't a terrible idea. Okay, sure, Cami can be a superb marketer, but we should've vetoed this idea the moment she said it. I mean, how gullible are we? How did we all fall for it? I am so maldita sea (da**it) confused. . .

"Hey, Bloody Red, Use your amazing initiative and get us out of this situation!" Pho snarks, scrunching her face at the word 'Amazing', "Great, you pull me into this run and somehow I'm the one who needs to carry you back. Idiota." I murmur to myself. "What?" Her voice getting louder per second. "I said, Fix it yourself, Freeloader!" I block her snarky remake as my hands run against a cool metal.

My finger pricks against a tip. Sharp. I pull back and examine the cut- "Hey! A vent!" Pho cuts in front of me and recognizes the opening. I would say I tried to warn her about the edge, but my mouth doesn't even try. She flinches back almost as her face contorts into a mangled mess. "It wasn't even that bad," I push past her and pull up a small, wooden table before digging my knife into one screw and turning as hard as I can. "Found a way?" Blu pushes past Pho and taps my leg.

I don't even need to answer as she pushes herself up next to me and pulls out her own blade. "My god! Could you guys go any slower?!" Pho's anxiety-ridden voice huffs. For once, I don't blame her for being cowardly or exposing her sweat ridden brows, because I was just the same. The pounds and moans are enough to frighten anyone, but the sound of our only protection, the door, creaking under pressure and the wood splintering is much more antagonizing.

My fingers fumble and flop with the knife. You would think I would have gotten used to the nerves of a run, but this is the closest I have ever gotten to dying. And, It's all for a child!

Thick and bruised hands grip my waist and tug my body down. On most occasions, I would struggle to look at whoever is handling me and push them off, but my body freezes and moves to his slight nudges. Fred tugs out the knife from my hand and pushes himself up to work on the tiny screws in my place. He mimics Blu's calmness about our situation. He must have sensed my anxiety- meaning I'm not just freaking out to myself. They work with grace, side-by-side. Neither of them speed up to oppression, even when Pho bangs against the bookshelf. "Can you go any slower-?"

"Oh, Cry yourself a river, build a bridge, and shut your freaking mouth!" Adams breathes out, tired of Pho's bull crap. He likes her, I get he likes her, but I'm sure that in these frustrating times, words might throw another wrench into their 'friendship'.

Just anything he says might set her off, since she's still angry he broke up their relationship for his own, hidden problem with something back in his life. I hate to say this, but I have to take Pho's side on this one. He said nothing or had any problems that would lead to the end of their relationship, which is why it must've taken such a toll on her. It would have been much easier for her to find recollection with him if he would just have said that he didn't see a connection. They had nothing in common. Everyone sabía (knew) that, but he was inconsiderate and harsh. A scene I would never wish to anyone. Even Phoenix.

But my god. I wish they could find a way besides that. I mean, drama between a 'heartbroken' wretch and a very suspicious freak is so annoying and unwanted.

Everyone besides Blu and Fred has seemed to wrong her, including me. She deserved the cricket bed, anyway. Another story for another time.

I just don't understand how someone like them could just live so close, in relationships, with such a whiny brat! Somehow, they manage and she seems to respect them, so I guess-. . . uh! Stop! I don't know why I'm thinking about this right now!

Each time the door splinters, my first instinct is to push into it, just to make sure the dead won't all tumble in record time, but I'm sure that Fred and Blu will finish anytime now. Going even a smidge away from my only exit seems so stupid, but the screams of our limited protector door is terrorizing in my brain. I need to get out of here as soon as possible. I find my patience getting slimmer by each second. The feeling to remark or say something snarky gets more and more overwhelming. Oh god, I'm turning into the roach over there. Pho.

Blu Loosens her screw and slams it with such a bitter force that the wall dents all the way through. I can't even comprehend how graceful she was seconds ago, this change in behavior startles literally everyone.  She jolts her head so fast, you can hear pop in her joints, but she doesn't seem to care as her eyes meet mine. I feel the tension in crossing between us on a very personal level. We don't even need to communicate to tell the other freaks.

Blu smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes.

Fred pops his own and pulls the cover off, revealing a cramped exit. If we had any time, maybe we could make a separate decision on who would leave and find another way, but with in our situatio, everyone one of us, even me, rushes forward to be the first. Blu gets lucky and pushes through, crawling as quick as she can. Then Pho, being as selfish as she is, pushes Fred away and follows close behind Blu.

Adam stays the farthest behind us, trying to be strong but failing to look the part. His sweat is visible as it trails down his face. Like he just pulled out of a lake. However, he stands his spot and nods me forward. Before I can comprehend that he wants me to go, Fred takes up the time by squeezing himself in there. God, that looks so uncomfortable, but good for him, I guess. When It's my turn, I try to grip onto the vent and push, but my hands don't move. I turn my head around to communicate that he should go before me- for there is one minor issue.

No, I can't go. I can't move.

Not again.

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Words: 1,263 

Time: ??? (Did this a while ago)

I'm doing this on a computer now; how the frick do I make this not italics?