A/N: Here's chapter 38. Enjoy, people.

Iris looked around, anxiety bubbled in her throat as the voices drew nearer. Seized by blind desperation, she pulled open the cupboard and squeezed herself by Levi.

"Kate? What're you doing here?"

"Just putting some supplies away." To her credit, Tracy's words didn't waver as she shut the cupboard door. "Everything alright, Kiera?"

"We found Frank stumbling around the back," she explained. "Says someone bashed him over the head, so we're trying to secure the area."

Tracy forced a disbelieving laugh. "Didn't he say that last time as well? Turns out he had just fallen back and slammed his head against the wall."

"Yeah, but the boss wants us to check it out anyways. Want a cigarette?"

"I'm good." Iris heard Tracy walk a few steps away. "Why don't we look elsewhere? I haven't seen anything here."

Iris felt Levi begin to stir and, in the dark, her eyes widened. She pinched the edge of her gun and pulled it from her back pocket. Levi gasped and a snarl pulled on his lips as he was about to shout. Iris pressed a finger to her lips and nodded to her gun, which silenced the man. Of course, she couldn't pull the trigger-- not unless she wanted to get seriously injured too-- but Levi was barely conscious enough to put the pieces together.

"Wait a second!" someone exclaimed, cutting through Tracy's words. "We came down here since I'd forgotten something in the cupboard. My aunt gave me a jacket--"

"No!"

A palpable silence descended on the trio outside. Iris let out a breath through her nose, anxiety built in the pit of her stomach. Levi grinned and mouthed, You're dead.

"What's the matter, Kate?" A different voice— Kiera, Iris recognised from earlier— asked, a slight edge to her words. "Why won't you let him take his jacket? And... where's Levi? You two came out here together."

Levi pressed his right hand against the cupboard walls and knocked twice.

"Quiet," Iris hissed, digging her gun into his collarbone. But it was too late.

"What's in the cupboard, Kate?"

Shit. Iris scowled and pressed her back against the door to avoid as much contact with Levi, who was smiling despite the blood trickling down his temple. Iris tensed her leg muscles, using all the strength she has in her core to maintain as firm of a balance as possible.

"Why don't you take a look?" Tracy pushed down on the handle, but didn't open the doors yet. "Come on, Max. You can see if your jacket is here!" She pulled it open.

Iris leaped backwards, felt hands on her back shoving her behind, as gunshots rang through the room.

Levi stumbled out and bullets ripped through his body, sending red sprays everywhere. He barely managed more than a strangled yelp before sliding down and remaining immobile.

"Get down!" Tracy ordered, strands of bubblegum pink hair escaped her ponytail.

Iris pulled her friend back against her wall, using the cupboard as a shield. Metal dug into the wood, sending splinters flying. When there was a brief pause, Iris seized the advantage and fired as many shots as she could. Her head spun and nausea rocked her body, which meant most of the bullets missed their mark. But the ensuing confusion provided Tracy an opportunity to finish the job.

For a minute, the only sounds were of laboured breathing.

"I don't think all three of them can fit into the closet," Iris said, resting her hands on her hips.

Tracy opened her mouth to respond, but an alarm cut her off. It rang throughout the area, accompanied by harsh shouting and thunderous footsteps.

Tracy swore and clasped Iris' shoulder. "Run."

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Short chapter but working on longer ones from now on! Fun fact: this was the last chapter of the old version.

I hope you guys liked it!

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)