"So how exactly are we going to get into General?" Jackie asked, using the nickname for Danville General Hospital. "They won't let animals in."
"Then I guess we'll need to recruit some human help," Perry said, shrugging. "We'll need a doctor who sometimes works shifts at General and also someone who is able to protect them as they go to a safe location."
Jackie and Ohio glanced at each other. "Perry," Ohio said slowly. "Do you realise you basically just described Apollo and Mavis, right?"
"Did I?" Perry was smirking. "Completely coincidental. But you're right: Mavis and Apollo are the best choices. Apollo has four shifts at General a week, and Mavis is tougher than anyone else we know. Plus, they like us."
"That doesn't mean they'll do anything for us," Ohio pointed out. "What makes you think they'll do this for us?"
"Because it isn't just for us," Perry replied seriously. "Dove is up to something big. Did you hear her talking about the sky and clouds in that meeting?"
Jackie folded her arms. "She was drawing out the meeting."
"WAS she, though?" Perry shook his head. "I mean, what she said is right: "No matter which country you're in, no matter what time of day it is, you'll be able to see the sky." I'm certain she has some kind of plan cooking that's to do with clouds."
"That sounds really stupid," Jackie stated.
"He's right, though," Ohio murmured. "Dove Walker is a psychopath. Using clouds to cover the world in acid rain or something would be JUST the kind of thing she'd do."
"That's actually exactly what I think she's going to do," Perry said. "But it doesn't matter. Right now, reaching Phoenix Walker is our priority. I'm going to go and give Apollo a call."
As Perry walked off, the aching in his chest resumed. He had managed to avoid thinking about Orla for a while, but now that nobody was talking, he was back to missing her intensely. He hoped she was alive. At this moment, he didn't even care if all four of her limbs were broken. He just wanted her alive so that he could bring her to OWCA. To safety.
Not long now, Orla. I promise I'll come for you.
...
"Did you say Phoenix Walker?" Apollo was surprised by the name.
"Yeah, Phoenix Walker," clarified Perry. "We believe she may be targeted by her sister."
Apollo looked up at the shiftboard, his eyes scanning the rows. "Yeah, she just checked in an hour ago. I'm coming off my shift now, so I can go and get her. Where do you want me to take her?"
"Somewhere safe," Perry replied. "Not back to OWCA; Dove knows where we are. She's hacked into the system before so she knows all our safehouses. Do you know anywhere you can keep her hidden?"
"Um…" Apollo hesitated, racking his brain. "Does Dove know you know that she hacked into the system?"
"I don't think so. Why?"
"She'd begin looking in all the OWCA safehouses, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so. Why?"
Apollo bit his lip. "Well, it's not very secure, but maybe a hotel room. If Dove really doesn't know that you know she hacked into OWCA's system, then she'll only look in OWCA buildings. And if she's working on the kind of plan you said she was, then she won't have an awful lot of time to waste looking for Phoenix."
"Good idea. Don't tell me what alias you're checked in under, though. Dove might be listening to this phone call. Check into the room number of the age you were when you first told me you had a crush on Mavis."
"Got it. See you later, Perry."
"Good luck, Apollo."
Apollo hung up the phone and exhaled slowly. This wasn't going to be easy, but with Mavis's help, he knew he could do it. One of the biggest problems would be getting Phoenix Walker to trust them, though. He had worked with her for a few months but they certainly weren't friends.
As he exited the staff room, he found his girlfriend waiting for him. Her face lit up when she saw him. "Hey! Done with work?"
Apollo smiled and kissed her briefly. "We don't have much time. Perry needs us to take a doctor by the name of Phoenix Walker to a hotel room to keep her safe."
Mavis stepped back, blinking. "Really? Why?"
"I'll explain when I can. This way, quickly."
As they set off down the corridor, Apollo took his girlfriend's hand. Truth be told, he was nervous. What if they were too late? He wouldn't be able to look Perry in the eyes if he failed. Any combination of a multitude of things could go wrong, including one of them getting hurt. Getting himself injured wasn't what he was worried about, though. What terrified him was Mavis getting hurt. He couldn't allow anything to happen to her, though he knew she was more capable of looking after herself than he was.
As they passed the staff kitchenette, Apollo happened to glance in and spot Phoenix Walker standing by the kettle, facing a woman with the same hair as her. The latter was standing with her back to Apollo, so he couldn't see her face. He quickly pushed the door open, causing both women to turn and look at him. Phoenix's face held a slightly scared look, while the other woman-who looked strikingly like Phoenix-had an expressionless face.
"Phoenix, there's a patient in bay 1 who needs looking at," Apollo blurted out. "Would you mind helping me with him?"
For a brief second, a relieved look flashed over Phoenix's face. Then she smiled and nodded. "Of course, Apollo. Excuse me, Dove."
Apollo's heart froze. Th-This is Dove Walker…?! She looked a lot more normal than Apollo was expecting. But at the same time, she and Phoenix too closely resembled each other for them not to be related, so it did make sense.
Phoenix began walking towards Apollo, who kept his eye on an unhappy-looking Dove. As Apollo exited the room, he whispered to Mavis, "Take that woman somewhere else and meet me back at the entrance as soon as you can."
Mavis nodded seriously. "Got it."
As Apollo half-steered Phoenix away from the room, he whispered to her, "Do you know that woman?"
Phoenix swallowed. "She...uh… Not...really…"
Apollo decided not to press her on that. "Listen, Phoenix… Some of my colleagues and I believe you're in danger. Please allow me to take you to a safe location."
"Danger?" Phoenix frowned. "From who?"
Deciding that it would be best to stick almost entirely to the actual truth, Apollo replied somewhat reluctantly, "From the woman who was with you in that room."
"Dove?" Phoenix asked, seemingly automatically, before realising what she said. Her eyes widened. "I...I mean…"
"Phoenix, is that woman your sister, Dove Walker?"
She turned sharply to stare at him. "H-How do you know about my sister…?"
"I know everything, Phoenix. Please believe me: I believe Dove has the intent to harm you. Or at the very least abduct you. If you want to be safe, just come with me."
Phoenix dithered for a moment, biting her lip anxiously. "Dove wouldn't really… W-Would she…?"
Before she could make a decision, there came a thunderous crash from somewhere nearby. Though Apollo was suddenly terrified for Mavis, he had to get Phoenix out of there. Grabbing her wrist, he began pulling her hurriedly in the direction of the back exit, past the throngs of people rushing to see what was wrong.
"What was that?!" Phoenix cried.
"I don't know," replied Apollo steadily. "But we need to get far away from it."