//I'm still amazed we all made it out alive, you know. Barely, granted, but... alive. It was dumb bloody luck they changed their minds. I should've at least given people a chance to turn back before I stalked through that gate.//

Should have could have...

Of course, he didn't figure most of them would have taken him up on that offer. It was one hell of a gamble, with so many students in tow.