Yeah, came a sarcastic answer, perhaps Mark’s own thoughts invading her head, let’s sacrifice six Underdogs so a bad guy’s wife and kids can live in luxury. No, we’re going.

Kate staggered to her feet and jogged in an approximate straight line, picking up speed as she went. If her life weren’t under threat, it might have felt liberating to run in the school corridors. Once she got into her rhythm she found herself sprinting faster than she ever had as a student. Even as a gymnast, she had never been so athletic. The new Kate Arrowsmith, hardened through a year of combat, ran so fast that her feet could barely support the shifting weight above them. It was like running downhill, except in the dark.

She reached the school’s entrance. Against all common sense, and the imaginary noise of her brain screaming at her to reach safety, she grabbed the nearest fire extinguisher and used it to wedge the door wide open. The others might not have time to open the door for themselves.

Kate ran exhausted through the car park, and stumbled past the little metal objects that looked like landmines. They were starting to hum and make aggressive electrical sounds. Mark had already stopped a few metres beyond them, in a position he assumed to be safe. In the background, Gracie could be seen heading for the hill. She must have been looking for Jack.

‘What will it look like?’ Kate asked as she approached Mark. ‘When it goes up?’

‘We’ll find out any second,’ Mark replied.

‘Maybe we should cover our eyes.’

‘You can, if you want.’

Kate trembled, and realised she didn’t want to look away. Rightly or wrongly, her eyes fixed themselves on the entrance and looked for signs of her friends.

There was movement, and Kate sighed with relief. Ewan was right on time. He and Simon bolted out of Oakenfold like racehorses from a gate, and made it past the boundary of metallic objects halfway through the car park.

‘Everyone OK?’ Ewan asked. Or at least mouthed while he caught his breath.

‘The twat got me in the forearm,’ said Mark. ‘Otherwise, I’m OK. So are Kate and Gracie. Not heard from Jack but I assume he’s fine.’

Kate’s legs started to weaken, but not from the run. Seven students had come to Oakenfold, and six had walked inside.

One was missing.

*

Halfway between the library and the front entrance, Raj took the longest strides he could manage at top speed. He knew he had the right documents under his arm, although it had taken a lot of reading – even after Kate’s warning to get out.

He regretted nothing. He couldn’t afford to escape Oakenfold without the right documents, and he couldn’t carry them all out. Not in the time he had.

The entrance was ahead, wedged open by a fire extinguisher.