The group stood in front of the first door.
It was a deep grey color, with cracks like lightning, and it gave off a cold, humming sound.
"Okay, we're going in," said Ayesgull, cracking her knuckles confidently.
Gull-e-Amna glanced at her sister. "Try not to break anything this time."
"I make no promises," Ayesgull smirked.
The group that stepped forward included Ayesgull, Gull-e-Amna, Alina Shezadi, and Hooria. They took a deep breath and opened the door.
A bright flash.
Wind rushed around them.
Then—suddenly—they found themselves standing in… the chemistry lab?
Gull-e-Amna's face lit up. "YES! We chose the right door! Let's go back and tell the others!"
Hooria nodded, brushing her hair back. "Yeah, maybe we passed the test!"
But when they turned around, the door was… gone.
Nothing.
Just a blank wall.
The air turned cold.
"Wait—what?" Hooria blinked.
Gull-e-Amna slowly stepped forward, tapping the wall. "Where's the door?!"
Alina Shezadi narrowed her eyes. "This isn't right. We need to get out of this lab—try the main door."
They hurried to the chemistry lab's main door. It was made of iron, bolted shut from the outside.
Ayesgull put her hand on it. "I'm gonna break it down!"
Alina raised an eyebrow. "And get detention in another dimension? Put a fine on us too?"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Ayesgull shrugged. "Okay fine… breaking plan cancelled."
Alina, being the genius she was, scanned the room. "Wait… I think I can make a chemical that can melt the lock."
She pointed toward the shelves. "We need hydrochloric acid, zinc, and copper(II) sulfate."
"Sounds dangerous," Hooria muttered.
"Dangerous is fun," Ayesgull grinned.
All four friends got to work. While Alina mixed the chemicals, Gull-e-Amna found the zinc strip, and Hooria passed the flask. Bubbles began to form in the beaker as the mixture heated.
"Everyone stand back," Alina said.
She poured the liquid slowly onto the lock.
Sssssszzzztt…
The lock hissed and melted like butter.
"Boom," Alina whispered. "We're out."
They pushed the door open and stepped outside.
And then…
Everything changed.
The school was unrecognizable.
Walls were cracked.
Lights were flickering.
Lockers were broken.
And a metallic smell filled the air.
Blood.
It smelled like blood.
Hooria covered her nose. "Why does it smell like something DIED here?"
Ayesgull looked around and said, "Okay, maybe we chose the wrong room."
Suddenly, a wet squelching sound echoed down the hallway.
They turned—and saw something that didn't feel real.
A person…
Eating another person.
The thing turned its head slowly.
Its face—half missing.
Its mouth—dripping with flesh.
Its eyes—dead.
A ZOMBIE.
Alina Shezadi screamed, "That's a ZOMBIE! IT'S A ZOMBIE!!"
Her voice echoed through the halls.
"Oh wow," Ayesgull said nervously, "now they all heard us!"
More zombies appeared around corners.
Dozens of them.
Running.
"Oh my God they run fast! I thought zombies were supposed to be slow!" shouted Hooria as they turned and sprinted.
"Blame the movies!" Ayesgull yelled.
They dashed down the hallway, breathless and panicked.
"LEFT! LEFT!" shouted Gull-e-Amna.
"No, RIGHT!" Ayesgull argued.
"WE'LL DIE IF WE DON'T PICK ONE!" Hooria screamed.
They finally crashed into an empty classroom and slammed the door shut behind them. Ayesgull pushed desks against it.
Everyone was panting, hearts racing.
Outside, the growls grew louder.
Alina sank to the floor. "What is this place?"
Hooria sat next to her. "This isn't a test. It's something worse."
The door banged behind them—once… then again.
They stared at each other.
Was this still their school?
Or had they stepped into a nightmare?