The cut is deep, the blood keeps trickling out, but there’s nothing I can do. I press my hand against it. It has to stop. River stares at my face, concerned, but then turns away. “I’ll look around.” “Outside?” I don’t want him to go. “No, the gym, and the corridor.” “Be careful.” I sit there soaked in sweat. The bleeding finally slows, but my shorts and T-shirt are streaked with blood. Sportswear designed by a vampire. Where is River? How long has he been gone? As if in answer, the door creaks and then opens. “It passed over,” he says, closing it behind him. “At least the building’s still standing.” “We’re lucky, it could have been leveled.” “Lucky so far. The tornado passed over us, but we could get other ones. This is just the beginning.”
