[o27fe]

The corridor was silent, except for the girl's swift-paced steps. Swiveling her head around in all directions for signs of movement, she found yet again nothing. A quick glance at the LED clock glaring bright red above elevated her anxiety. Breaking into a run now, the girl, hearing nothing but her heart thudding against her chest, came face-to-face with the doors. Out of breath, she used her body weight to encounter the force against her just 2 inches of wood away. Gathering the last of her determination, she pushed a little harder and gave a little surprised exclaim when the doors finally gave way. Several heads turned abruptly to her direction. Flushed in the face not because of breathlessness but embarassment this time, she sidled into a vacant seat which was closest within her reach. A surge of fear began to well up in her throat. It seemed to be travelling up the windpipe and knotting her larynx. She was motioned to move up front, and her legs felt like they were about to give way anytime. Sitting now in front of a petite woman, the girl managed to calm herself down more. But at this moment, the woman seemed human no more. Her eyes glittered with malice. Her lips snarled into a thin smile. The tapping of a pointed fingernail seemed to be counting down to the poor girl's doom. "Speak!" She was stunned. "Erm.." she stammered. "Could you please repeat the question?"

.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Moments later, she emerged, feeling no better than before. She caught sight of a familiar face as she trudged down the ramp. "How was your oral exam?"