The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 579

Chapter 579

“No! If we run, we run together!”

Andrew hoisted Marvin onto his back without another word.

Ryker and another boy supported the two students with injured legs.

Sydney and Trina ran in the middle.

They pushed forward at full speed.

“Raarh!”

Just as they sprinted from the second-floor landing toward the first floor, a zombie hidden behind the stair door burst out.

It lunged straight at the girls in the center.

Trina was closest. Without hesitation, she shoved Sydney forward again.

But this time, Sydney was ready. She ducked.

Trina lost her balance instantly and stumbled straight toward the zombie, For a split second, it looked like thi was it.

Then, she saw Ryker right behind her.

“Ryker!”

She reached for him.

He grabbed her hand on instinct and tried to pull her back.

The moment their hands locked, she shoved him forward instead.

“Ryker!”

This time, he had expected it, too. He twisted sideways, ducked low, and kicked hard. His foot slammed into the zombie’s chest and sent it tumbling down the stairs.

Trina was already around the corner, running.

“Ryker!”

“I’m fine! Go!”

He looked at her for one long second, then turned and kept dragging the others forward.

Footsteps thundered while zombies roared from above.

Everyone’s nerves were shot. Their strength was almost gone. Their lungs burned like they had swallowed fire. Every breath scraped their chest raw.

They weren’t going to make it.

They weren’t getting out.

“All of you keep moving!”

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Marvin’s voice came from Andrew’s back. He was trying his best to remain calm and steady.

Then, he shoved Andrew off.

He staggered free and planted himself in the stairwell.

He was going to stay and buy time for the students.

He looked ahead at Hayley, already 50 yards away and still widening the gap.

He shouted with everything he had left, “Miss! You wanted Andrew and Sydney, right? From now on, they yours! The rest of them are good kids, too! They’ll do whatever you say!”

“Mr. Ortega!”

“Mr. Ortega!”

The students stopped mid-run. Tears spilled instantly.

“I’ll hold them off! Go!” Marvin roared.

“Mr. Ortega!”

And just when everything felt like it was breaking apart, a sharp voice cut through the stairwell.

“Stop running, damn it! Get in here and hide!”

Hayley had kicked open a classroom door on the first floor. She stood in the doorway, looking straight at them Andrew and Sydney reacted first. They turned, grabbed Marvin under the arms, and hauled him forward

One student ran in.

Then another.

Then, another.

By the time Andrew and Sydney dragged Marvin inside, the zombies were already lunging

Bang!

Hayley slammed the door shut.

Thud!

Thud!

The thin wooden classroom door shook violently under the pounding. The classrooms on the first floor couldn’t be locked. It wouldn’t last long.

Inside, everyone collapsed where they stood and lay flat on the floor, gasping

Hayley looked at them and said calmly, “I need to get to the admin building and bring my car around.”

Every head snapped toward her.

“You can’t leave!” Trina shouted from the floor. “We don’t have any strength left! If you go, who’s gonna protect us?”

Charter RO