Chapter 23: Holly

Blah-blah-blah. I will meet you at the top of the stairs. I'm Ms. Smarty Pants.

" I'm coming too, you little brat!" I call.

" Did you just call me a little brat? Well guess what! I'M THE REASON WE ARE GETTING OUT OF THIS PLACE! SO SHUT UP!"

"Okay! Don't let anyone hear us! Let's compromise!" Oh my gosh. That's and first time-and the last time- I ever said that word. Compromise.

"Fine. I'll be going upstairs after I smear charcoal all over my clothes. After all, the wall is the same color as the charcoal," Noel held up a lump of fresh charcoal. I have to admit, that is a good idea.

"I'll- I'll just go up the stairs." Noel raised her eyes at me.

"Seriously?" She said,"You're going unprotected?"

Not like I have any other plan."Yeah."

She smirked. "Now look who's stupid. Oh well, that's (probably not) okay. Come on, race you!"

"Hey!" I yelled,"Stop!"

Alas, she already unlocked the cell doors and carefully pried them from each other. Then she raced to the fireplace, the only source of heat. If they turned it on. Which they don't, but they DO dump all the used coal down the chute, leading here.

Running after her halfway up the stairs, Noel stops suddenly, me nearly crashing into her.

"What the heck, Noel?!" I nearly shriek.

But she just points to the ceiling.

That's when we heard the tap, tap, noise.