Leapholes (2006) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Case. Kaylee was next, then the Flu Lady, and finally Ryan. They were walking at a brisk pace, but the coach kept them in single file. He was determined not to let them scatter in a panic. Still, Ryan had the feeling they were headed in the wrong direction.
    "Coach, check that out," said Ryan.
    The sign on the wall read, AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.
    "That doesn't apply when there's a fire," said the coach. "Just keep going."
    The pace quickened. Sling Man and Head Case--the old man and woman--were breathing heavily. Flu Lady was sweating more than any of them, probably from fever. The coach kept them moving, repeatedly shouting words of encouragement like Almost there, or Just a little bit farther, gang! They walked for several minutes, and Ryan had yet to see a single door or window--nothing that even resembled a w ay out of the building. The walls were painted cinder blocks, solid, like a tunnel. The floor had a slight slope to it, like a downward ramp.
    Another sign on the wall read, "RESTRICTED AREA, DO NOT ENTER."
    Ryan said, "This doesn't feel like the right way."
    "Zip it," said the coach. "Don't you feel that breeze getting stronger against your face? The wind doesn't blow like that in a normal hallway. There's obviously an open door or window just ahead of us. It's pulling in fresh air. We can get out this way."
    "But I don't think--"
    Ryan was in mid-sentence when the ceiling behind them came crashing to the floor. The tangle of metal, wood, and wires landed with a thundering crash. Smoke was pouring through the gaping hole. Then came a burst of heat and flames from the floor above them.
    "Run for it!" shouted Kaylee.
    Behind them the hallway was choked with smoke and debris. Scorching hot flames were the only source of light. They had to move forward, and the coach led the charge. The breeze in their faces strengthened, which kept the smoke from catching up with them. Ryan hoped the coach was right. Just ahead, there had to be a window or an opening to the outdoors that would account for the flow of fresh air. But Ryan could see only the end of the hallway--a solid brick wall.
    "An elevator!" said Kaylee. The door was wide open, and she was about to jump inside.
    "Don't get on it!" Ryan cried, but he was almost too late. At the last moment, the coach grabbed her and pulled her back to safety.
    "You don't ride the elevators in a fire," the coach said sternly. "Especially when the elevator is missing."
    Kaylee stepped to the edge and peered into the opening. Although the door was open, no elevator car was waiting. She was staring down a dark, open shaft. 'Tikes," she said. "It must be at least ten stories to the bottom."
    "You mean it goes down?" said Sling Man. "How can that be down? We're on the first floor."
    "It must be an underground facility," said Coach.
    "With its own ventilation system," said Ryan. "That's where our breeze is coming from. Fresh air is being sucked up the elevator shaft, out this open door, and down the hallway."
    "That means there's no open window at the end of this hallway," said Head Case.
    "No door to the outside," said Flu Lady.
    "No way out," said Kaylee.
    Another section of the ceiling collapsed behind them. Flames roared into the hallway from above. The sprinklers should have activated, but ruptured water pipes were dangling from a huge hole in the ceiling. Water spilled uselessly to the floor, not a drop of it reaching the sprinkler heads. The raging fire continued to spread, and it was creating more smoke than the breeze from the elevator shaft could disperse. Ryan's eyes were watering.
    "Everybody get down!" said Ryan. He remembered from his fire drills that smoke rises, so it was safest on the floor. They all hit the deck.
    "We have to get out of here!" said Kaylee.
    "There must be a stairwell" said Ryan. "There are always emergency stairs near an elevator."
    "And they're right over here!" shouted Coach. He ran to the door, but the handle wouldn't turn. "What kind of place locks the