Chapter 21: Had It Coming

For Alice, the morning arrived too soon. She was about to wake Claire when Luther walked past their cell and saw the couple lying under the covers of the bed. He stared at the redhead for just a second too long and Alice snarled alongside her spoken words.

"You got a problem?"

The black man turned away in jealousy and disgust, and the brunette was somewhat thankful that Claire wasn't awake to see it.

After the brush with Luther, she roused the younger woman and the two spent the rest of the morning lounging in bed, talking about inconsequential things and smiling, but it was time to face the reality of their situation. They got dressed for a late breakfast; only Crystal and Angel were still in the cafeteria when they arrived.

The pair sat next to the solider and actress with the latest bowl of mush that was considered edible. Alice ate in silence as her mind worked out a plan. Ok, we can't stay here that much is obvious. We're not going to fly out, and we're not just gonna walk out- the brunette's thoughts were interrupted as Claire rested her hand on Alice's thigh. The taller woman smiled to herself; she'd never dreamed that such an effortless touch could override the emptiness that had become second nature.

The only solution Alice could come up with that would help her and Claire, and potentially the other survivors, was letting Chris out and hearing what he had devised. The only thing standing in her way was Luther. At her conclusion, the soldier rose from the table and she stopped him with a question before he left.

"Angel, do you know where I can find Luther?"

The soldier thought for a second before he replied, "He's probably in the guard's break room. It's on the ground floor; I'm actually headed there right now if you want to join me."

The redhead's hand tightened on Alice's thigh possessively under the table.

"No thanks," the brunette replied and laughed under her breath as the soldier shrugged and walked out of the room. She needed to talk to Claire about her plan and figured it was probably safe to do so in front of Crystal. The actress might even be a potential ally for convincing the redhead.

"Have you heard about the prisoner," Alice questioned the redhead, and as predicted the actress was instantly interested in the conversation.

The redhead was taken aback. "There's actually a prisoner still here?"

"He's not an inmate," Crystal argued.

Alice didn't respond to the actress, "He says he can get us out, if we free him."

"He should be freed either way, I mean unless he's criminally insane there's no reason to keep him locked up," Claire said righteously, and Alice had to agree that it was ridiculous for the other survivors to have kept him detained for so long.

Again the actress chimed in, "That's what I've been trying to tell Luther for ages, but he's convinced that Chris is dangerous."

Claire looked away from the two women in thought and Alice asked her, "So you're ok with hearing what he has to say?" The redhead didn't answer, so the taller woman tried to get her attention. "Claire – hey."

"What? Oh yeah, go for it," she responded, but to Alice she still seemed far away. Then Crystal spoke up.

"Maybe if you ask him, Luther will finally see reason."

Alice didn't tell the naïve actress that she had no intention of asking him. When their meal concluded, Crystal showed them both to the guard's leisure room where everyone else, including the man Alice had not met yet, was playing poker.

Wendell could be heard complaining to Luther as they entered, "I'm telling you, I've been hearing movement in the walls."

The leader dismissed the comment with ease, "Uou're just being paranoid."

Alice walked over to the wooden table self-assured, and Luther instantly stood up defensively. Someone's a little jumpy, Alice thought.

"Your keys, please." The brunette held her hand out expectantly. The leader left it empty, clearly reading Alice's objective.

"No way in Hell – I'm not letting him out!"

"And I'm not giving you a choice! Hand me the keys, and I won't have to pummel your ass," she said confrontationally, hoping against hope that Luther would give her just one reason; one reason was all she needed.

Luther tried to stare the brunette down, but she didn't back off in the slightest.

"Angel! Take care of her. I'm tired of her disrespectful mouth," the leader ordered.

Pathetic, Alice thought, can't even do it himself. She prepared herself to possibly take them both on as the soldier set down his cards; out of the corner of her eye she saw Claire step protectively between her and Angel.

"No," Angel responded and crossed his arms for emphasis, and the redhead relaxed.

The black man looked astounded and spoke to him directly. "What did you say?"

"I said – no. I don't hit women," the soldier explained in his thick Spanish accent.

Alice joked with Angel, "No wonder you put up with his shit for so long."

The soldier laughed outright, and Luther became enraged.

"You've been nothing but trouble for me since you and that slut landed here!"

Alice shook her head as a maniacal laugh began to pour from her upturned lips. "Oh, I was hoping you'd say something like that," she said as a twinkle gleamed in her eyes. The black man's fury cracked and she could see that it was fear breaking through.

He sneered and took a swing at the brunette, but she ducked the blow easily. Alice lined herself up for an offensive strike as Luther tried to regain his balance. She pulled back her right fist and sent it forward with every ounce of strength she possessed. The resounding hit smashed against the side of Luther's face and the giant fell, instantly out cold.

God damn it, Alice thought. Knocking him out so fast had left her desire for vengeance regrettably unsatisfied. She sighed and did a quick look around to see if anyone was watching…they all were. Hell with it, she thought, then kicked Luther hard in the gut with her booted foot.

Claire was shocked. "What'd you do that for? He's already unconscious."

The brunette defended her actions with a smile. "He called you a slut."

"Yeah, that's what the punch was for."

"Nope – that was so I could get the keys. I can't help it if the bastard can't take a hit," Alice remarked as she shrugged.

The redhead smiled as the survivors shrank away from her companion with a new, healthy dose of apprehension.

Alice rolled the brute over and took the keys from his pocket; the shining pieces of metal clanked loudly in her hand. The key-ring easily held over thirty keys, and Claire teased her playfully, "Probably should've asked him what key it was first."

The brunette's shoulders fell, "Yeah…"