Portal

Ryan meandered aimlessly down the dark, abandoned halls of the school. His watch beeped furiously, telling him what he already knew: it was midnight.

“Happy Friday the thirteenth,” He whispered sarcastically to himself. He looked down at the linoleum tile floor, the blue and white checkerboard pattern almost invisible without the fluorescent light that would usually be switched on during the day. He waited for Sean to come; he should have been here by now. He paced back and forth, wondering where his comrade was. They needed to do it tonight, when it was still Friday the Thirteenth—that was the day the portal was able to be opened, the day they could get rid of their problems forever. If they did this, they would be back on the team for good. He couldn’t do it if Sean didn’t come, though. Sean was the key; his blood alone could open the door to the long forgotten world.

Ryan jumped at a small muffled sound coming from down the hall. He had to remember that they weren’t the only ones who wanted to open the portal– the Gregori brothers needed this too.  If those three got through the portal, all of this would be lost, all of their work for nothing. It would all be over. So where was Sean? Ryan gathered up his courage and ambled down the deserted hall, silently praying for the best.

The muffled noises got louder, the farther he walked. As he reached the last door, he knew that whatever it was, or whoever it was, was inside the room. Ryan stuck his hand in his pocket and held on tight to his rosary, knowing that if this was what he thought it was, even God could not save him. He reluctantly kicked the door open, hoping his bravado would not leave him. A single chair stood in the middle of the room. Sean sat, tethered in the uncomfortable kindergarten chair, his mouth gagged. His eyes widened with worry, a look that Ryan recognized immediately, for he had given it many times himself. It said Run! That was when Ryan saw him, with broad shoulders and eyes black like night. His muscles pulsed on his arms. He was like a boulder, strong and unmovable. Ryan felt like he would faint just looking at him. Ryan knew that his life was forfeit now; nothing could save him or Sean, nothing from this world anyway. Their lives were at the mercy of Vincenzo Gregori.