Free Nightmare in Niceville by Amberle Cianne Page B

theater, I knew that we were going to make it out alive. We had to. And when we did, he would take me out to dinner, I’d decided.
    â€œNothing will happen to you. I promise I’ll keep you safe,” he said. His smile had faded, but his eyes showed sincerity and concern. I knew he meant everything he said.
    The movie playing was an action film—explosions of gunfire and yelling erupted from the speakers. It was very loud, but it got quieter as the movie went on. Scott was leaning in to kiss me again when we heard the door close. Someone was in here with us.
    Scott whispered, “Pretend to be dead,” and put his head down on the floor. I looked through a spot between two seats and saw a silhouetted flash of long hair. I got to my knees and squinted at the figure. Scott pulled at my wrist.
    â€œHey!” I whisper-shouted. The girl froze and looked toward my voice. Scott tugged my shirt, pulling me to the side. I held the back of the chair to keep my balance.
    â€œIt’s okay,” I said to him. “Up here!” I called quietly. She ran toward us. As she got closer, I recognized her. “Rachel?” I whispered.
    â€œOh, Lily!” she said quietly with relief and hugged me. This was a drastic change from her previous behavior. If the circumstances had been different, I might have been annoyed at her, throwing me jealous glares, but things had changed.
    â€œI’m so scared.”
    â€œI know. I am too,” I replied. It wasn’t just to comfort her either. Even though Scott made me feel safer, I was still completely terrified.
    I pulled her to the ground.
    â€œDo you know where anyone else is?” Scott asked.
    â€œNo, I saw someone go into Theater Five. I was in the second theater, but I thought I was too close to the . . . whoever is doing this,” she answered.
    â€œMaybe we should try to get out of here or call for help again.” I stated the obvious solution.
    â€œI still don’t have a signal!” Rachel huffed.
    â€œFigures.” I let my head fall into my hands and raked my fingers back through my hair. A pained and worried expression crossed Scott’s face. It didn’t help to calm my nerves.
    â€œWell . . .” he started slowly, “I don’t think we can just walk around and look for cell phones any more. And I have no idea how to get out besides the door in the front, but it’s locked from the outside.” Scott’s eyebrows scrunched up.
    â€œLet’s try the fire exits!” I said.
    â€œStay here,” he told us. He made his way down to the far corner of the theater and pushed on the door. He didn’t seem to be having much luck. He came back to us panting.
    â€œIt’s no use. They won’t budge. Something must be in front of them outside.”
    â€œCrap! He thinks of everything . . .” I mumbled.
    â€œHe?” Scott looked at me.
    â€œI, well I . . . we heard a man’s screaming, and I’m assuming it’s a man who’s doing all the . . . killing . . .” I stuttered. I couldn’t admit that I thought it was my father. Not yet. And it might not even be true.

9
    Sarah
    A s I crouched between the seats, I tried to slow my breathing. I wondered how long I would be here. There was a loud thump, then light poured into the room. Everything was black again and eerily silent. I saw a darker shadow move within the darkness, something big and tall. And about halfway down, something glinted, just barely enough to see it. I couldn’t risk staying here any longer. I counted to three, spun around, jumped up, and started running in one swift movement. I heard someone grunt like they were trying to grab at me. My legs carried me as fast as I could go before I hit the exit door and was through the door of another theater faster than you could say “popcorn.”
    I slammed into the wall at the very front of the big room and slumped to the floor to catch my breath. I