It takes me 5 paces to get from the door to the black bag lying in the center of the, otherwise empty, room. 

Tick Tick Tick

The constant beat is getting louder

Tick Tick Tick

I bend down and grip the zipper of the bag

Tick Tick Tick

I pull the zipper back slowly, fearing the worst

10

The black box’s timer stares up at me, taunting, knowing there is nothing I can do

9

I go through every possible plan I have in my head

8

None of them work

7

My knuckles are white from clenching my fists so tight

6

It is then that I realize I’m still in the room… My mind is racing

5

Then my legs are racing as well. I run faster than I have ever run before

4

I’m out of the room

3

Halfway down the hallway. My feet are moving so fast they are nothing but a blur

2

My lungs are burning and I am screaming

1

My vision goes red, lungs filled with smoke. I hear screams but I know that I am long gone…

And then I wake up.