"My... sandal straps broke"

"My... sandal straps broke," Makoto said.

"Oh no," Ann said. "Tonight really hasn't been your night."

"Tell me about it," Makoto muttered. She felt the goosebumps spreading over her as another cool breeze swept up.

"At least it was just your sandals, though," Ann said. "You might be able to patch them up with something inside."

"Right..." Makoto said. "I'll be back in a little bit. Wait for me here." She heard Ann give an "okay" and crawled away from the fence, trying to ignore the sensations of the grass touching her bare skin. She only raised into a crouched position once she reached the pavement. She kept her arms crossed over her chest as she rushed to the side wall of the entrance. She stopped with a huff, kneeling down and casting a glance toward the front gate. The officer was still propped against it, absorbed in whatever he was doing on his phone. Makoto just hoped he would stay that way.

Hurriedly, she moved in front of the building, casting one more fleeting glance over her shoulder at the officer, before reaching toward the door handle with baited breath.