Ryan lingered in the classroom long after the final bell rang, waiting until every last student had slipped out the door. Once the hall was silent, he took a cautious step toward the exit, his heart racing with urgency. After ensuring that not a single soul remained in sight, he reached for my hand, his grip both reassuring and possessive. With a firm pull, he guided me down the dimly lit hallway, where shadows danced eerily against the walls, until we slipped through the side door and into the cool, evening air.
I could hear the chaos—the distant sounds of fighting reverberating through the air—but instead of leading us towards safety, like the packhouse or the gym where others were likely seeking shelter, Ryan steered me towards the looming trees at the edge of the forest. The branches
