The Carved Promise

Mariza pressed her face against the cold metal bars of their locked room. The Paper School hallway stretched empty beyond, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead like angry insects. She turned back to where Alice sat cross-legged on the thin mattress, her silver hair catching the harsh light.

"They locked us up again," Alice said, her violet eyes flashing with anger. "Third time this week."

Mariza nodded, her mismatched eyes—one green, one black and purple—scanning their tiny prison. The concrete walls felt like they were closing in. She pulled her purple hoodie tighter around herself.

Alice reached under her pillow and pulled out something heavy. An old ax, its wooden handle worn smooth. "I found this in the maintenance closet before they caught us."

"What are you thinking?" Mariza asked, though she could see the determination in Alice's face.

"We make a promise," Alice whispered, holding up a rusty nail. "If something happens to one of us, the other gets revenge."

The overhead light flickered ominously.

Echoes in the Hall

Alice carved her symbol first—a jagged lightning bolt that split down the ax blade. The rusty nail scraped against metal, creating tiny sparks in the dim light.

"Your turn," she whispered, handing Mariza the nail.

Mariza's hands shook as she pressed the nail against the cold metal. She carved a crescent moon with three small stars beneath it. Each scratch felt like sealing their fate.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway outside. Both girls froze.

The sound grew louder, closer. Not the usual guard's heavy boots—these were different. Lighter. More careful.

A woman's voice drifted through the metal door. "The water pipes burst on the third floor. We're evacuating everyone to the gymnasium."

Alice stuffed the ax back under her pillow just as keys jingled outside their cell. The door creaked open, revealing a woman with short gray hair and tired eyes.

"Come on, girls. Emergency evacuation. No questions."

Mariza grabbed Alice's hand as they stepped into the hallway. Water dripped from the ceiling tiles, forming dark puddles on the floor. The fluorescent lights flickered worse now, casting strange shadows that seemed to move on their own.