Very short chapter that took longer than usual because action scenes aren't my usual forte, so it was good to have extra eyes and handling on it.
Thanks again to ATG for the final look over, and thanks to both Millie and the Mages of Pages server for the suggestions and corrections, appreciate it.
He drew his Sword as he headed down a rapidly crumbling hallway. He hacked and slashed any debris that fell in his way: Fallen rubble, stranded chairs, fallen lockers. He tore through and jumped over numerous obstacles as he ran through the endless halls, trying to hide a quieter but still whimpering April in his arm.
He heard a severe crash ahead of him, coming from above. Bradford screeched to a halt and crouched fully down to the ground, shielding April with his body, his back to the massive ceiling collapse. The floor violently reverberated beneath him as chunks of dust shot past him, covering him with dark soot.
As the particles settled, Bradford chanced a look behind him. Several fires have broken out from the rubble and were quickly spreading around them. Bradford returned to his feet and glanced the other way- also blocked with debris and an encroaching fire. There was no way out.
Small shards snapped from the ceiling and loudly pierced his helmet, causing him to wince from the impact. Then, a beam of sunlight glinted over his eyes. Bradford looked up to the large break in the ceiling: a huge opening that led up to the highest floor then to the open sky. The way was clear all the way up, and he knew that within a few seconds, the clearing would give way quick, blocking the opening with more rubble from the outside floors.
Bradford hopped on top the burning rubble, secured April tightly, crouched slightly down, set his sight upwards, and took the leap.