In a wide corridor of an old abandoned school, filled with cobwebs and dozens of items scattered across the floor, the constant sound of boots clashing against the ground echoed through the place—distant at first—but quickly drawing nearer. That was when Leon burst hurriedly around a corner in the corridor, sliding a bit on the floor before continuing to run.
Glancing over his shoulder, he searched fearfully for something behind him, but all he found was an empty corridor, where rays of sunlight filtered through windows with dirty or broken glass.
Still suspicious, struggling with his heavy breathing, he tried to catch any nearby noise by holding his breath, but all he heard were his own footsteps echoing through the empty corridor.
I lost him... With a look of relief, he felt a certain weakness wash over his body, but due to the knot in his stomach that still lingered, he forced himself to keep running.
Turning forward, he continued through the structure's corridors, passing by windows always on the same side of the hallway, while on the other side a sequence of doors, spaced apart, occupied the entire wall. All the same, small plaques hung just above the entrances with faded numbers and some illegible writing—he didn't even glance at them as he pressed on.
However, spotting a much larger opening a few meters ahead—a staircase going up and down—he quickened his pace to reach it.
Rushing into it while taking one last look back—Bang—he collided with something and, losing his balance, fell backward, sitting on the ground.
"Ow! What was that?" Placing his hand on his head, he looked forward.
Piled up on the staircase were various tables and chairs partially blocking the stairs leading to the lower floor, but with a hole in the middle.
Recovering, he glared at the passage with anger, but his expression quickly faded. Still shaking after being hit by him, he saw a chair near the edge slip from the top of the structure.
"Oh, no..." He murmured in a tone of disbelief and defeat, bracing for what was coming.
For not just that one, but like dominoes, one knocked the next over, producing a thunderous noise that echoed throughout the entire abandoned school.
With a pained look, due to the noise he had caused, he glanced at the staircase now completely unblocked.
"I need to get out of here fast and save Isis!" He said, leaping to his feet.
With a bit of pain—dodging the chairs—he descended the stairs, jumping a few steps at a time, until reaching the first floor.
There, pressing himself against one of the walls, he cautiously peered in both directions of the corridor, which, after checking a few times, made him click his tongue in slight irritation.
I didn't pay attention to the path I took while escaping... With an uneasy gaze that darted constantly from one direction to another, he tried to decide which way to go.
However, upon looking at the ground, he found several boot prints marked in the accumulated dust there.
This?!
Starting from there, he quickly followed them.
Passing through a few corridors, changing route when necessary, he ran through a very similar structure—long corridors with large imperial-style windows always on the same side, while on the other were dark doors, some open, leading to large classrooms.
But, following that trail, in a short time he reached a wall that closed off the corridor. In it, he found a double door missing one half, with only one side still attached and the other leaning against the wall.
Approaching, he knelt beside the remaining part of the door, studying the place it led to.
Much larger than any room he had passed, he was at the entrance of a large gym with bleachers surrounding it on all sides.
However, though spacious, it was filled with dozens of items and equipment, from sports gear that would be natural to find there to military equipment that stood out completely in the place.
Among them, two caught particular attention: a large tent occupying more than half the gym, and a large four-axle military vehicle.
It seems safe...
After observing all that for a few seconds, Leon began to move. Still crouched, he used whatever he found along the way as cover.
Passing by the large four-axle military vehicle, he headed to the tent—riddled with bullet marks and slashes—where he passed through various sections, from medical beds to storage areas with tables and cabinets.
Reaching the end of the tent, he saw that just a few meters away was the other side of the gym, where there was a wall and, above it, the bleachers.
However, on the wall, he fixed his gaze on a door right in front of him at gym level. Checking the surroundings, since the part he would cross this time was more open, he ran to it, dodging some small items like bats and hurdles.
Reaching the door, as quietly as possible, he began to move it while checking the interior through the emerging gap.
Messy, it was a room full of rusted metal shelves still packed with sports equipment, from balls, helmets, and rackets, but all badly damaged by time.
While carefully moving the door, he saw a small window facing outside—through which sunlight illuminated the place—and a hole in one of the walls, connecting to the next room.
However, catching his attention, he found a person there.
Murmuring, he called: "Isis!"
Seated in a chair with her feet and hands tied, she jumped slightly, looking scared at him, before sighing in relief.
"Leon!"
Without wasting time, running to his sister, he began to untie her starting with her feet.
"Wait, are you alone? Where are Mia and Victor?!" Looking around, Isis searched for them.
Focusing on the ropes wrapped around her foot, he replied: "I don't know, I was with them until a little while ago, but we ended up separating when they found us...."
"What?! So you don't know where he is?? — she looked anxiously at the door — Are you sure he didn't follow you?"
"Yes, because I kept moving through the corridors to shake him off... at least, I hope I did." Finishing untying her feet, he started on her arms.
"I hope so too... We need to get out of here fast, to meet up with the others and hold out as long as possible hidden; running from him isn't a good choice... — with a defeated look, she remembered when she was caught — he caught me really fast."
"Yeah... we can't beat—"
With the sound of footsteps, their conversation stopped at the same time as both turned quickly to the door. They were distant, but approaching gradually at a slow pace, as if walking, however, upon reaching the door, they ceased.
The two, in the silent interior of the room, where they heard only the beating of their hearts, watched the door fearfully.
"..."
In the face of this silence, exchanging quick glances, Leon, gathering courage, after a prolonged silence, murmured:
"Mia, Victor, is that you?"
Looking at the door, the two felt increasing tension, but even waiting, they received no response.
"..."
While they were still frozen, with a fixed gaze on the exit and uncertain what to do, both felt a light breeze on their backs, along with a heavy hand falling on their shoulders.
"Ahhh!"
"Ahhhhhhh-i!"
With the scare, Leon jumped away, running a bit before turning back; not only him, startling too, Isis jumped awkwardly and fell from the chair.
When they looked back, they found Seven with a smile saying:
"Gotcha."
With a confused face, quickly looking at the door and at his older brother, Leon complained.
"Wait! How is that possible, where did you come from?!"
"Well, through the hole in the wall."
Pointing with his thumb behind him, Seven turned to the opening, through which Yuliya was passing.
Ignoring his sister, Leon protested. "That's not possible! I didn't hear anything! You were camping the coffin, weren't you!"
"Pfff, Leon, don't be a sore loser, I just approached quietly, that's all." With a mocking smile, Seven celebrated his victory.
"I can't believe it!" Remembering something, Leon turned to his sister. "Yuliya! He was camping the coffin, wasn't he?!" Hopeful, his eyes shone as he waited for her answer.
I'm glad she stayed as judge after losing the greenhouse bet! Because she definitely saw Seven cheating!
She, having passed through the passage, stopped beside Seven, but, shaking her head, said:
"...No, it's like Seven said, he approached you quietly after passing through the hole in the wall."
With a defeated look, Leon shouted.
"Damn!" Letting his body fall to the ground, he lay on the dirty floor.
Finishing untying herself, Isis got up from the floor, brushing off her clothes to remove the dirt.
"We came close to winning this time, Leon, but next time I'm sure we'll win."
"Yeah... Wait! Victor and Mia are still left! We still have a chance!"
With renewed spirit, he sat up on the ground, but, hearing something near the door, he turned to it.
"...Oh no..." he murmured, losing his smile.
Standing right at the entrance, Mia and Victor had just arrived in the room.
"You guys had already been caught..."
"Yes..." Both, defeated, nodded.
"HAHAHA, it's a shame, but if it's any consolation, you lasted quite a while this time!"
"That's unfair! — Getting up, angry, Leon complained — Whenever we play this, Seven wins, no matter if he's searching or hiding!"
Supporting him, the others agreed:
"True, Seven always wins when he needs to run, like climbing places none of us can reach!"
"Plus, even taking longer, it was really hard to hide from Seven, it felt like we were being hunted..." Holding one arm, Isis squeezed hard.
"Hmm, not just that, anything that depends on strength, big bro wins... wait, I know!" Remembering something, Mia turned to the whole group "Let's play something that doesn't need strength, that way even sister Yuliya can have fun too!"
Tilting his head, surprised, Seven asked:
"But what would it be?"
...
Walking down an empty corridor, Yuliya headed to the door of a room alone, carrying some books under her arm. Upon reaching it, stopping in front of the entrance, she heard murmurs coming from inside, but as soon as she grasped the doorknob, they ceased.
With a light smile, letting out a brief sigh—with a more neutral expression—she opened the door.
"Good morning, class!" Along with the greeting, with a professional smile, she headed to a desk positioned in front of the room.
While the class responded in unison: "Good morning!"
Stopping in front of the class, she placed the books she was carrying on the table, which, even though light, caused a slight creak on the old desk.
Looking at her class, Yuliya saw her siblings scattered in the spacious classroom with the most varied expressions, from the excitement of the younger ones, where their eyes shone, to a more contained animation and complete disinterest.
"Well, today we'll have history lessons, get your books and open to page four..."
Picking up their branches, or small metal pipes, the younger ones opened torn and stained books, acting naturally, but, turning to the last row, Yuliya fixed her eyes on one of the students.
Unlike the others, who were already ready, he had his arms crossed, head down, and feet on the desk.
"Where is your book, Seven?"
Upon being called, as if waking up, he lifted his head with an irritated look.
"Eh? Are you talking to me?"
Shifting the position of his feet, he cast a piercing look at Yuliya, but, with a firm tone, she replied:
"Yes, who else do you think I'm talking to? Also, take your feet off the desk, we're about to start the lessons."
Though bothered, clicking his tongue, Seven obeyed, but in the next moment—dragging on the ground—he pushed the chair back, standing up.
Heading toward Yuliya with his hands in his pockets, he stopped near her looking down, chin raised.
"And if I don't want to?"
Yuliya, facing the irritated look and a silence that reigned in the room, remained silent for a few moments, until—
"Pffff!"
—Holding back laughter, she turned her face, covering her mouth with her hand in a delicate way.
"Oh no, not again Yuliya!" Returning to normal, Seven made a tired expression.
"Sorry—pffff"
Turning his back, Seven grumbled as he returned to his seat "How many times do we have to repeat this...." meanwhile, his younger siblings laughed at the scene that occurred, imitating Seven's voice.
" 'Eh? Are you talking to me' hahahah"
" 'And if I don't want to' HAHAHA, Seven's face was the best!"
"This character fits big bro perfectly!"
The three, bursting into laughter, watched him return to his seat, even Isis, though with a more contained laugh.
"It's true Seven, your face fits this character perfectly."
A bit embarrassed, Seven sat in his chair.
"Ah! I'm already tired of repeating this! It's all because you start laughing Yuliya!"
"I'm sorry, I really can't handle it when you act like that Seven..." Wiping under her eyes, she removed a tear.
"Let me stop changing characters! I'm tired of this. Besides, why do I always have to act as a delinquent or someone who bullies??" Bothered, Seven crossed his arms huffing.
Having recovered her composure, Yuliya explained:
" Sorry Seven, but your face doesn't help much, see: Isis looks like the hardworking characters or the top student in the class, Leon like a brainless athlete—
"Hey!"
— while Mia and Victor look like small and cuter students, but you don't fit any of them, there aren't even other options for you...at least, from the stories we've read."
Seated at the last desk, next to the window, Seven turned to a piece of broken glass from the window, starting to fiddle with his own face.
"Am I that mean-looking?"
Isis, noticing her brother's discomfort, explained:
"It's not mean-looking..., in fact, like Dad, your face looks severe, even when normal..."
Through the foggy reflection, Seven saw some traits on his cheeks and a sharper gaze that made his face more serious, reminiscent of his Dad, even when he tried to keep it neutral.
Accepting this, he murmured: "Maybe I can be a teacher...." But, before finishing, all his younger siblings denied it.
"No, sister Yuliya is the only teacher!"
Disconcerted and surprised, he asked.
"What? Why?"
Caught off guard by the question, the younger ones stayed silent for a few seconds, until, breaking it, Mia spoke:
"Well... — Looking at Yuliya — big sis seems reliable and calm, I don't know why, but it's good, I believe if we had a teacher, she'd be like that!"
"That's true, unlike Seven, though reliable, she seems calmer..."
"Yes, she's also patient, like the teachers in the books we've read..."
Completely baffled by his three younger siblings' descriptions, Seven looked at them perplexed.
"Wait! Reliable? Calm? Are we talking about the same person?" Remembering when he went out with his sister, Seven saw none of those characteristics, just a tomboy who cheated a lot in bets.
Turning to Isis, he sought her opinion.
"I think Yuliya acts very well... — turning to Yuliya — are you imitating some teacher? From the books we have at home?"
"..."
Raising her eyebrows slightly, Yuliya paused for a few seconds, thoughtful, before finally answering.
"Well — with a melancholic smile, she shook her head — it's not based on any character from the books, but on our mother, because she gave off that same feeling when she gave me lessons..."
Surprised, Isis commented:
"That makes sense, because it's quite different from what we know..."
"Yes, it's quite different from Dad, he always looks angry... just like Seven."
"So let me be the teacher! I'll be one like Dad!"
"We don't want brother, Yuliya is already good!"
"So how about a principal?!"
"..."
Surprised, the three younger ones exchanged glances.
"See! A principal is a good option!"
"That's true..."
"Maybe it fits well..."
"A principal who's mean..."
Discussing among themselves, they began to decide what Seven's character would be along with Yuliya.
Why does it always have to be mean?! Leaning back in the chair, Seven looked at the ceiling, tired.
"Want to stop?"
Lowering his gaze, he found Isis watching him, worried.
"..."
"You don't have to force yourself to have fun with us, even if I like it, because it's cool to imagine living in a normal world, you don't have to force yourself..."
Shaking his head, Seven gave a light smile.
"I don't mind, I like being with you guys... I just get bothered by the characters I have to play..." With a heavy sigh, Seven had a tired look.
Seeing her brother, Isis gave a light smile.
While they discussed, interrupting the conversation, hearing footsteps near the door, everyone looked at it, before Dad opened it and entered the room, stopping right at the entrance.
"Dad! How about you play with us! You can be a principal!" Getting up from the chair, Mia went to him.
"Wait Mia! Wouldn't I be the principal!?"
Stopping near him, Dad placed his hand on her head. "Sorry, but we have to go back now, it's getting late."
"Awww..."