In preparation, Alex and I came up with three escape plans in case something went wrong, but I can't think clearly with all the crying and bullet shots, under pressure from so many people depending on me to save them and lead them to safety. The first place I can think of to go to help us escape is the kitchen, filled with knives and other weapons. I know that most of the people are expecting for me to lead them to the exit, but we'll probably have a better chance at survival with something to fight with.

I lead everyone inside and barricade the door with an oven, running over to the drawers filled with cutlery. We keep the smaller kids together in the center of the room where we can see them, while Alex hands out as many sharp things that we can find to anyone who wants one. The children scream after every noise outside the door, which makes everyone else more nervous and scared.

Amelia is standing against the wall trying to look tough, with her arms crossed and her left leg crossed over the other, but I've never seen someone look so terrified before. A sudden wave of sympathy hits me. I walk over to her and offer her a small knife, smiling reassuringly.

She scowls at me in return and snatches the knife from my hand, almost cutting my skin. I walk away, curious about how she feels the need to act the way she does in a time like this, where we could really use everyone's cooperation. Alex walks over to me, a large kitchen knife in his hand.

"So what's the plan?" He looks at me with nervous eyes, obviously terrified like everyone else.

"We have to get out of here, that's for sure. But we don't know where we can go that won't get us killed. For all we know, all the exits have been blocked already." I look down at the floor and sigh.

"Well, we have to try. We can't stay here." I nod and gather everyone behind the counter, near the door. No one speaks, awaiting my command.

"We need to leave. As you probably know by now, it isn't safe here anymore. We don't know if we can escape, but we have to try. Or we'll be trapped." The older ones nod and clutch their knives tightly, trying to comfort the younger ones as the thought of being out there again crosses their minds.

"I need some of the older kids at the front with me, ready to protect the younger ones. Anyone who can't fight can go in the middle of the group, protected by the others. And we need a smaller group at the back ready to defend us if any problems come up from behind."

"And who made you the leader?" An angry voice calls from the back of the room. "I say we have a vote to decide what we do. Just because you killed one of them it doesn't mean you can protect us." I sigh heavily, conscious that we might be running out of time to escape because I don't want to waste any time we might have to get to safety by arguing.

"Fine then. Who wants to stay here and die?" I call out, looking at the boy who shouted it out. No one speaks, not even him.

"Who wants to come with me and have a chance of escaping this place and being safe again?" Everyone raises their hands in the air, most of them shaking heavily.

"Good. Everyone get into your positions and lead out of the door quietly and slowly. Try and make as little noise as possible. Try and stay calm." I look around the room apologetically and pull the oven away from the door, slowly opening it and looking into the empty corridor. We hear low-pitched growls in the distance, followed by whimpering and screaming. I look behind me to check that everyone's following and see Ruby staring at me proudly, clutching her knife to her chest.

"Remember, try not to make a sound!" We creep out into the corridor, the place of unknown danger and horrors.