A maintenance closet

(chapter originally by Misayaka on writing.com)

Chihiro only had one realistic path to safety. She practically leaped to the nearby closet, tugged on the handle to frantically pull the door open, and slide inside, pulling it shut just as the nearby classroom door audibly slid open.

Too close.

The closet was pitch black, the confines were impossibly tight, and there were all manner of obstacles closing in on her, but considering the innumerable sounds of chatter and footsteps passing by outside... Chihiro was counting her blessings, not her slights.

She barely moved a muscle for what felt like an eternity. Then finally, after what had only actually been around five minutes, all was silent.

Chihiro decided to test her luck.

She leaned forward, pushing a mop out of her way before slowly opening the door.

This did not prove very wise, because as soon as she did...