The Mission

Noor Usmani

The countdown had started.

With that realization, I bolted up. My e-device slipped out of my hand as my heart started to race wildly, thumping hard against my chest. With sweaty palms, I pushed my hair out of my eyes and looked at my associate, seeing my panic and fear reflected in her eyes.

I exhaled deeply once, pushing out all distractions from my brain as I tried to map an escape route, my vision sharpening and focusing on the goal.

5…..

I crouched low, and then sprinted. I ran down the slope, my hand gripping the railing to make sure I didn’t fall down headfirst. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted my associate leaping from one landing to the next. I swerved sharp right, and raced down the hall, sweat trickling down my back.

4….

I stopped with a jolt. My heels dug into the rough ground to prevent me from colliding with the sleeping guard dog, curled up in the entrance of the hall exit. I tiptoed to the dog, and with careful precision, I stepped over the enormous creature, holding onto the wall for balance. I beckoned my associate to follow.

3… Almost there.

I dodged large chairs, ducked under tables and jumped over obstacles littered on the floor.

2..

I heard a loud crash on my right. Heart sinking, I glanced back and saw my associate had fallen, her foot twisted in a jutting angle.

1.

I lunged forward, arms outreached. Time stretched to a stop.

My eyes widened as my fingers slipped past the handle.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I heard the thundering footsteps of doom coming closer. Fluorescent white light blinded my eyes. My back straightened as I heard a shrill voice.

“What the heck are you guys doing in the kitchen at 2 am?”

The pizza pockets sat desolately in the plate inside of the microwave as my sister and I turned around, cringing in fear.