Carlton had somehow managed to get his wand back into his hands before he was shoved forward towards and through the portal by the older boys. He stumbled, or limped through with both hands grabbing his wand in front of him as hard as he could. This corridor didn't have any sticky membrane (except the one still covering him and freezing him to his bones), it didn't have any tendrils and there were people there. There were adults there. But where was his most important people? Rooney was leaning towards a wall, still alive. And... Henry? Carlton opened his mouth to say something, maybe call for Henry, maybe to call for help. But no words formed. He stood with his knuckles pale grasping his wand, arms fully outstretched before him. Rooney had told him to get his wand out, so he had. And hadn't put it away after that. When he realized he had his back facing the portal, he quickly backed away from it, refusing the monster another chance to lunge at him. His back hit the corridor wall and there he stood, still in the same stance as before.

Carlton couldn't believe he was really safe, that it was really safe to lower and put his wand away. So he didn't. His robe was shredded along the side, he was covered in cold membrane, eyes wide open in fear, body trembling and his gaze fixed upon something in the distance. He didn't know the people around him, didn't recognize them and didn't look at them. All he saw was the monster, with its jaw snapping inches away from his face.