“…huh? Where am I even…? “

Lifting her head from the chilling sensation of the ground. Taking a survey of her surroundings, assessing the situation

“The rooms practically empty…though there’s one light and no noticeable cameras”

“Ugh, last thing I remember is…wait!”

“Where’s Alex!? Damnit, what the hell happened!? Okay Laya, take a second, think, breathe…”

Recalling the screeching sound of tires partnered alongside a pitch black viewing

“Why’s my memory so foggy? Come on Laya!…think!”

Pondering, remembering her stashed combat knife stored in a compartment in the sole of her boot.

“Considering they tied my hands behind my back it actually helps”

Freeing herself from her restraints, pacing the edges of the room to see if anything that stands out, pondering to herself her surveillance

“There nothing in here that’s jogging any memories…ugh…what the hel-“

Bringing her eyes to a piece of shelving in the dimly lit, opposing corner, noticing a white spec wedge behind it. Walking over to see what it is, coming to find it’s a note from Alex.

“Sorry Laya, we’re short on time so I’ll be quick. You’ll probably need a second to gather yourself when you wake up, I did to. It’s not much but we’re now they at one of the gangs hideout bases. They gassed us during our meeting with them and we ultimately got brought here, though what for I’m unsure. Everything else is still foggy but I hope this helps jog something for you”

- Alex

“ Damnit…then it’s safe to assume they saw her out the restraints and took her elsewhere but, where are you Alex?…Wait! There’s no door but she left a note as well…if we both were here, then where’s the entrance?”

Inspecting the floor for any cracks, whilst tracing her hand along the wall across from the shelving for balance, finding a crack. Kicking in the door, peering her face inside hosting a smile after her sigh of relief.

Hmph! Wasn’t too bad. Now to find Alex.

Treading through the pathway, processing her situation

They took all our stuff…considering we’re at their hideout I’ll probably need something to defend myself with…but first I definitely need to find this exit! How do they even travel through tunnels this narrow…? Luckily it seems like it’s a single route for it though. I just keep going, I should be able to find her and we can get out of here.

Approaching the end of the tunnel she comes to a old classroom filled with dust and construction debris, surveying the room before entering

“The abandoned high school…makes sense. Could’ve cleaned up a bit though….Is there a trail I can follow? Come on Alex please tell you thought of that!”

Exiting the class, crouched, strolling through the hallways

“All the doors are closed. Are all the rooms vacant. Is Alex in one of th- footsteps!”

Hiding being a turned over garbage can, peeking around as two masked people cross the halls ahead of her. Weaving her way through the debris as a nimble cat. Turning the corner the masked members came from, once they hit the end of the hallway.

“Now where would I put a captive? Some place they they can’t get out…but where is that in a school?”

Crouching along the wall as she surveys the rooms

“Most of them are closed still, but is so, which one makes the most sense to hold someone in…? The center! Most of those rooms should have limited entries like the other spot. I’ll search those a-“

Just as Laya peers her head around the corner, she’s met with a flaring lighting. Instantly retracting, back paces back to the nearest classroom with no lighting and sneaks in

“I’m assuming they know I’m gone now. Considering that guard had a weapon, he’s probably a guard for Alex. I should be close. Does this class have another exit?”

Treading through the classroom over the rubble, struggling to avoid causing any noises, she pauses takes her jacket off to cushion and absorb the steps and her boots to rid of the hard soles. Continuing her path, approaching a door that leads to the next class room. She enters

“I think I’m past him now”

Closing the door behind her still crouched, she peers her head over the edge of the classroom window to the hallway. She notices a door across the hall with a make-shift lock and no door knob.

“That has to be it. He’s down by the other end of the hall so I should be okay. I can go out this room’s door and see if I can get in.”

Letting the armed guard reach the end to ensure its clear. Slowly opening the door and jetting out to the locked room. Fidgeting with the lock, she’s hears footsteps around the corner again. As she retracts from the door to retreat, she notices she’s cornered as the masked guards turn down her hall and the armed guard is making way back with her now in his sights. Yelling, demanding she surrender. Laya let’s them close in. With the unarmed guards reaching her first, taking one captive with her knife.

To get me you’d have to shoot your buddy, and you! Don’t move or my knife does.

Squared off for an instant, the captured guard dips their head attempting to free himself. Laya follows his leads as he goes towards the door with shots now trailing them. Trailing behind the guard still as a shield, she leaps into a neighboring classroom. As she waits for the armed guard to close in, she takes the back entrance to the next classroom, tumbling out the door once the guards approach the window, tossing her knife at the guard, the blade lunged in his thigh, bleeding out. She attempts to to attempt to leave and to loop around giving chase, when she turns the corner

BAM!!

a loud bang is heard to the guards, with tumbling school wares following