When Darkness Falls
Part Thirteen
After what seemed like forever, Zim and Dib stopped running. There was a soft *clunk* as the duo fell back against the battered old lockers lining the wall.
"I wonder where we are." Dib managed as they tried to catch their breath.
"Well, wherever we are, at least we're away from that horrible creature for now." Zim replied, wincing slightly.
This didn't go unnoticed by Dib.
"Are you okay?" He asked, a bit concerned.
"Yes. I am fine." Zim replied, rubbing his head.
"C'mon, I think we should follow this hallway," Dib said, turning around. "It might lead us out of here."
Just then, they heard a faint noise coming from somewhere around them. Dib glanced around franticly; soon spotting a door nearby. Thinking quickly, Dib ran over to it and gave it a shove. As the door swung opened, its rusted hinges creaked in agony.
"Zim! C'mon." Dib whispered.
And soon, the duo ran inside; quickly closing the door behind them, latching it shut and they stayed completely quiet. After a few moments, Zim and Dib looked around. The room they had entered was another storage room, much like the one they had found in the underground school. The only difference was the rows of shelves that were piled with equipment seemed to have only been used once in a great while as well as a small base window a few feet above them on the far wall. They could see moonlight shimmering in, dimly lighting the room in a silvery glow.
Suddenly, they heard a loud bang on the door where they had come in; catching them off guard. Zim and Dib took a step back, watching the door as they did so; they could hear a blood-curdling snarl coming from the other side of the door. They continued to back away; but soon found themselves against the wall. They had nowhere to go. Zim and Dib began to franticly glance around. Dib then turned to see the window just above them.
"C'mon!" Dib shouted over the din as the creature continued to smash at the door.
Thinking quickly, Dib hoisted himself up onto one of the nearby metal shelves; which rocked gently beneath his weight, catching Zim's attention. Dib reached over toward the window to try and unlock it. As this was happening, Zim turned back to see large cracks forming in the door they had come in through.
"Hurry!" Zim shouted impatiently, turning back to Dib; who was fumbling with the latch to the window.
"I'm trying!" Dib snapped back, turning back to the Irken back on the floor. "It's no use!" Dib said after a few more moments of trying to work the window open. "It's locked!" He said, turning back to Zim standing below him.
"Well, un-lock it!" Zim snapped back.
Dib glanced around franticly, trying to find something to undo the latch. Soon, his gaze came upon an old pipe resting on the shelf next to him. As quickly as he could, Dib picked it up. After doing so, Dib turned his attention toward the locked up window before him. With all his strength, he struck at the latch; making a loud *clank* as the metal made contact with the lock and latch. The latch soon began to bend as Dib continuously struck at the latch with the worn out metallic pipe. Zim, who was still on the ground, soon turned back anxiously toward the door as the banging grew louder. Then all at once, there was a loud smash as something broke through the old wooden door!
"DIB!" Zim screamed in horror; causing Dib to turn in panic and soon saw the creature had broken through.
Dib quickly began to swing at the latch, harder than before and more desperate than ever. After a few more swings, the latch was broken and it clattered down to the floor.
"Zim! C'mon!" Dib shouted as he quickly propped open the window with the old metal supports on either side of it.
Zim turned back to Dib and soon began to climb up onto the shelf Dib had previously climbed and followed Dib; who had just made it out through the window. Outside, Dib's hands began to feel a bit numb against the cold half-frozen ground. Getting up quickly, Dib soon began to rub his hands together to warm them up a bit. The sudden scream from the disguised Irken caused him to turn in shock to see Zim who was about half-way through but was stuck; due to his PAK.
Acting quickly, Dib grabbed Zim and began to pull him out. After some effort, Zim finally came loose and Dib stumbled back just as the creature's arm reached out through; clawing and trying to get them through the window. Not taking any chances, the duo continued to run as the creature continuously thrashed at them; trying to get at them. After what seemed like a small eternity, Zim and Dib came to a halt; finally being able to catch their breath.
Dib soon turned his attention to their surroundings. Within the light fog that had began to form, they could hear the faint squeak from the nearby eroded old merry-go-round as it spun slowly on its rusted and uneven axle; the swings' chains creaking as they moved gently in the cold breeze. They both soon breathed a sigh of relief as they were far enough away from the creature for it to not get to them.
"Thank you, Dib-Human." Zim said finally; turning back toward the boy before him. "You're welcome." Dib replied with a smile.
The sudden loud screech within the air caused both Zim and Dib to jump with a frightened yelp.
"C'mon! Before Slenderman finds us." Dib said finally. And so, they turned around and ran as fast as they could away from the school; the creature's angry screams echoing in the air behind them.
So here's the next chapter :D Sorry for such a long wait for a semi-short chapter ^^; I had tons of things that needed to be done -_-; But I still hope you like this part anyways :) Also, I might need some time with the next part ^^; But I'll hopefully get it up soon :) More is sure to come so stay tuned for what'll happen next :D MAKE SURE TO R&R! PLEASE 'N THANK YOU! :D:D