A couple things. I was gonna post yesterday, I didn't just straight up forget, but I passed out as soon as I got home and was dead to the world until 11 'o clock, at which point I was delirious and crawled in bed. I was then gonna post a fake chapter today for April Fool's Day and just anticlimactically kill everyone in the most cringy, cliche way possible, but found out that was taking WAY TOO LONG, and it would have been obnoxious to read because it was obnoxious to write. But I'm still technically only a day late. so have a chapter!
"That can't be good." Abe murmured, peering through the slits in a vent as red lights began to flash. They were only a few levels away from the surface, but they had to be much more careful now that they were back where people were milling around, causing the already slow pace to drop even more. "Nobody triggered any alarms, did they?"
"Don't think so." said someone closer to the back, he couldn't see who.
"We may have a problem." Ema's voice crackled over his comm.
"Yeah, I was about to ask what you guys have been doing, red lights are flashing and red lights are never a good thing." he replied.
"So it did set something off." the girl hissed. "We were trying to reverse the effects of the EVO transformations by switching back the signal for the controls."
"Wait, what? What signal?" he asked. "Never was completely up to speed with that."
"Irrelevant right now. At any rate, something went wrong and I believe the nanites combusted. Arrow got Pyra and I out before it blew, but only barely. I wasn't sure if the disks had some kind of alarm on them, but I suppose that question has been answered."
"You guys might want to get a move on then. As soon as they realize that everyone on the floor has been K. , every security guard in the building is going to swarm you." Abe said, moving to another vent to allow him to see the computer someone was working at. "Which might be sooner than you think. No one's answering communications down there so they already know something's up."
"Pretty sure this is shit finally hitting the fan." Salem said. "Not gonna lie, I expected it to happen way before this, but I guess karma's making up for it. Gave us a false sense of security then hit us twice as hard."
"Yeah, well, we're still under the radar so far, so I'm gonna keep going. Right now, there's still sixteen people that need out." he said. "Preferably before they realize all of them are missing and start a manhunt, because I bet those disks work just as well when they're human too."
"Then go, they are the current priority. Any kind of remote detonation should be disabled, however, since I'm the one in control of the network." Ema said. "We can handle ourselves here."
"I don't doubt it, but be careful anyways." he said, blue eyes watching the monitor carefully. "I'm not the mushy type, but I don't have many friends. I'd like to keep the ones I have, I'm pretty fond of you three."
"That's all sweet and shit, but you couldn't get rid of us if you tried." Salem said. "Get going, Rioter, we'll be there soon."
The line went silent after that and Abe returned to the group. "Alright, pretty sure everyone is sick of hearing this, but we have to get moving. Either everyone is out within half an hour or we're probably going to be dead. Personally, I like being alive, so everyone need to move their ass for the home stretch."
He didn't wait for anyone to respond, but turned and began to move. By now, it was keep up or die.
(*)
Kateri wiped some of the blood spatter from her face, the thick goo leaving a burning tingle over her skin. "Well, this is disgusting."
All that remained of the EVO(she refused to remember it as the scared girl) was a mound of gooey chunks and soaked feathers. The smell was overwhelming and, though the archer had seen more than her fair share of grisly things in her life, it took more willpower than she would have thought to keep the bile down.
"How did you know that was going to happen?" Rex asked, scraping the blood from his own skin as well.
She bit her lip, looking down at the ground. "Remember that video I found on the hard drive?" he hesitantly nodded. "Before he went splat, his skin was moving the same way. I didn't actually know if that would happen again, but I would much rather not have found out by one of them trying to tear my throat out."
"I thought you said they wouldn't attack you?" Rex said.
"I've also never been covered head to toe in EVO blood when they were feral, either, which I doubt would end well." she replied.
"Why would those girls have attacked us?" Yiska asked, looking incredibly confused.
"Long story." Kateri answered. "Basically, they've been used as human lab rats, too, and though they're normally just fine, the scent of genetically mutated blood sends them both into this feral frenzy that you really don't want to stick around to see."
The older Navajo did not have any more questions after that, simply swallowing and nodding.
"So what now?" Rex asked.
"Well, they have to go somewhere before we can leave, and after that we have to get rid of the blood on our clothes." she said, then glanced around the room. Rex watched as her expression shifted to one that he could only describe as hopeless. "I'm pretty sure this also means the ones stuck as EVOs don't have an option. That machine was their only hope and it didn't work."
Rex knew she wasn't only referring to the EVOs.
"Do not despair, my daughter." Yiska said. "If they are being kept in their EVO form, then their bodies are too unstable to handle the transformation back and forth. There is a good chance that they would not have been able to have a normal life anyways."
"Yeah, I guess not." she replied bitterly.
"We may want to get moving." Rex said. "I was listening in and according to Abe, the disks might have set off some kind of alarm and people are headed this way."
"Damnit...Rex, tell Ema and Salem to get somewhere that the smell can't reach them." Kateri instructed. "We have to get the blood out of our clothes, but I don't know who we're going to do that."
"There are two chemical showers for emergencies." Yiska told her while Rex relayed the message.. "I believe I can direct the way to them, they are not far apart."
"Okay, I can work with that." she mused. "That also saves our clothes, which is a really good thing since no one has extra."
"Yes, I suppose that is fortunate." Yiska said with a rueful grin that attempted to lighten the mood a bit.
"So, um...how've you been?" Kateri asked awkwardly. "Actually, don't answer that, kinda a stupid question…"
Yiska placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a soft smile. "It has been difficult, but I have coped. And you, Kateri? I am curious as to what you have done these past years. You clearly seemed to have handled yourself quite well and grown to be a strong, beautiful young woman."
The girl blushed, but not for the reason her father thought. It was not a bashful blush, but one of shame. "There's something you should know, about how I was able to do this-"
"Ema said she and Salem are good." Rex said, unknowingly cutting the girl off. "We should probably get this stuff off so we can get out before security finds us first."
"Right, we should do that." Kateri said quickly, incredibly grateful to have dodged the conversation.
She opened the door, it being a simple button from the inside of the room, and stepped aside to let her father lead the way.
(*)
"Holy shit, is that the moon." Charlie asked. "Damn near forgot what it looked like, been so long."
"No joke." Jordan said from behind her.
Though there were several close calls, the group had finally made it up to the surface despite the odds. The night air was rather cold, but no one could care in the slightest. Desert air that was too cold was also desert air that meant they were free.
Abe reached down through the vent, carefully lifting Kira through it and mindful of the jagged edges. "Everyone still needs to stay low and quiet, I have no idea of they have surface patrols or not, or what kind of sensors are out here." Something he really should have asked Ema to check for first, but it was a bit late for that now.
The profusely sweating girl let out a soft sigh at the cold breeze on her skin. While it likely wasn't enough to bring her temperature where it was supposed to be, it was considerably better than the stuffy vent. Aarin followed her a moment later, having carried the girl the rest of the way despite Willow's protests. The navy haired man was also coated in sweat from how much heat Kira had been putting off in addition to his own exertion.
"Good god, she's got to have a fever at least over one oh four." he said, wiping his forehead.
"I'd say sorry, but this is completely on the assholes who used me as a guinea pig." the blind girl panted, leaning her flush body against the cool rock.
Abe pulled Alice through next, the girl having begun to slip in and out of consciousness. Her breathing was shallow but her pulse was steady, so he refused to let himself worry too much about it until everyone was safe. He very much hoped that someone from Providence knew what they were doing and could help the two sick girls. He passed her to Aarin, who leaned her against the rock Kira was pressed to. Damorian remained down in the opening, helping get people through the space more quickly.
Between the bulky dark skinned boy, Abe and Aarin, all sixteen of the captives were out in the desert air in less than five minutes.
He pulled whatever food and water was left in his bag, at this point not much, and passed it out. "Everyone try to eat and drink something, help will be on the way soon." He pressed one hand to his comm. "Everyone's out, I'm calling Providence."
"We ran into a little detour but hopefully we'll be up shortly." Ema replied.
The lanky blond pulled out his phone, and sure enough, there was a new contact named Doctor Holiday. Pressing the call icon, he crossed his fingers and lifted the device to his ear.
"Who are you and how did you get this number?" was the first thing he heard after two rings.
"Sorry lady, name's not important. I'm about forty five miles due east of Beatty, Nevada. I have sixteen people with me who were captives from human experimentation, to of which need medical attention." he said. "I know you've been looking for someone named Rex. He is in the area and will join the group shortly, he has been helping us rescue these people. I understand the situation isn't ideal, but I was told you would be able to help."
The line was quiet for a moment. "You said Rex is there and he's been helping you."
"Yes."
There was a soft sigh. "Hold your position, help should arrive within the hour, I want you to stay on the line until it does, I want proos Rex is there before anyone goes anywhere."
"Fine. You are Doctor Holiday, right?" he asked.
"How do you know that?"
"I've got smart friends, but relax, that's about all I know." he said, walking over to where Alice was leaned up. Willow was attempting to get her to drink some water. "I said there's two sick ones, yeah? Well, one's in really bad shape. She was coughing up blood earlier and she's been in and out for a while now. Can you help at all?"
"That's not much to go off of, I need more information. Do you know what kind of experimentation she's been subjected to?"
"Uhhh, I don't know much. Something about messing with the nanites and changing the frequency or something to make them respond to wireless commands. When they force the transformation too much, their bodies start breaking down." he replied, wracking his brain for the things Ema had told him before. "I really don't know much about it, I'm sorry."
Willow held out her hand. "Let me talk to her, I might be able to tell her more."
"Um, one of the others who was down there with her says she might know more." he said.
"Put them on."
He passed his phone to Willow, who tucked it between her cheek and her shoulder. "My name is Willow, I'm one of the captives...yes...I don't think I have been here as long, but I believe we were put through similar testing."
Abe left her to speak to the woman, going to check over the rest of the group.
The ones who weren't in the best of physical shape were completely exhausted by this point, though those who were seemed plenty worn out as well. Jordan paced around like a restless animal, but everyone else was just trying to catch their breath.
"So, this is really it?" Charlie spoke, leaning against the rock as well. She looked weary, but was a bit better than many of the others.
"Looks like it. Hopefully some people from Providence will be here soon to get everyone out. After that, though, I'm not sure what everyone's going to do." he admitted, sitting down next to the fiery haired Scottish woman.
She shrugged one freckle covered shoulder. "They'll likely just toss us back out on the street, honestly. We're not their problem and I doubt they'll treat us like we are except the two ill lasses."
"I'm really not sure. Whoever this Doctor Holiday person is doesn't actually seem too thrilled about helping us, and probably only is in the first place because of Rex." Abe said.
"Who's Rex? Is he one of the ones that stayed down there with the other group?"
"Yeah, he's the Mexican kid." Abe nodded. "You know, I wasn't too sure about him at first, but he's alright. Really just wants to do the right thing, y'know?"
"I can understand that." the ginger woman nodded. "I suppose one good thing came out of this, at least for myself." Abe gave the woman an incredulous look, but she merely returned a wry smile. "Long story short, I used to be something of a drug addict. Nothing like endless months of living in a metal box to break the habit. Tell me, kid, what's the date?"
Charlie almost laughed at the answer she got. "Oh yeah, three years will do it for ya. Also means I turned twenty five as of two months ago, would you look at that." she sighed, pushing her long hair behind her shoulder. "Guess I better not fuck my life up this time, yeah? Not every day someone gets a second chance like this, especially not from this kind of situation."
"Good luck with that." Abe said. "Kinda sucks that this is the wake up call that it took, but getting your life on track is the best thing anyone here can hope for."
"Amen to that. You seem pretty young yourself, kid, any plans for the future?" the ginger woman asked him. "Honestly, I doubt your life has been the epitome of normal so far, normal kids can't do this kind of thing, but is there something else you wanna do?"
To say he was surprised by the question would be an understatement.
"I'll let you know if I ever figure it out."
(*)
Honestly, for the first time he'd ever showered with a girl, this was not how Rex had expected it to go. At all.
But yet, here he was, fully clothed in a tiny glass box, barely six inches away from Kateri, as they rushed to get all the dried EVO blood scrubbed from their skin and clothes beneath the freezing cold stream. Did he mention the water was also freezing? The water was freezing.
The Navajo girl was furiously trying to rinse the blood from her hair, having let it down from its braid to make it a bit easier, and the tips of it went to halfway down her thigh as she leaned forward a bit to see what she was doing.
Nope, he was not thinking about the girl he had a crush on standing soaking wet right next to him. Not at all. He was a mature, special agent of an elite organization, and he could definitely handle an emergency shower to keep from said girl's mutant friends from trying to kill them. Of course he could-
"Rex, can you try and get some of it off my back? I can't see it and this shit is giving me trouble in my hair."
Right. Totally mature.
"Uh, sure." He'd just taken off his jacket, getting off the thick blood relatively easily, but he could see where it was adhered like syrup in the archer's long, thick hair. She turned a bit, yanking her fingers through the wet strands as Rex began to work at the stains on her back. "So, um, come here often?"
He'd fully expected her to turn around and smack him for that comment. Instead, she just let out a half hearted chuckle, too tired to be aggravated. With everything going on, she could use a bit of humor right about then. "Can't say I do. Little too Resident Evil and Control Factor had a fucked up kid for my tastes."
"You guys sure have a thing for those movies." Rex noted, rubbing at the dark spots on the fabric of her jacket.
"Kinda. Salem was super obsessed with them and once Abe found out, they ended up like little zombie buddies and now it's this huge inside joke, especially between them." she said, now standing fully upright as she picked at the last few clumps at the ends of her hair. "Honestly, I've only seen a couple of them, there's not much to the plot after that besides a bunch of excessive gore and pretty girls running around like a badass."
"I don't see anything wrong with pretty girls running around like a badass." Rex said innocently. "Personally I think it's kinda impressive."
Though he couldn't see it, Kateri had the smallest of grins on her face. "Come on, if the blood's not gone by this point, karma's got it out for us."
"Uh, it kinda already is." Rex pointed out.
"See, I try to be positive, and this is what I get for it." she said, stepping back to wring out her hair. She then shrugged off her jacket to do the same, her shirt following a moment later, though she left the tank top beneath it on(he wasn't sure if he should be relieved or disappointed). "You guys really need to make up your mind, do you want me to be positive or not?"
Rex, doing his absolute best to not stare, tore his eyes away from the girl's toned body, skin still glossy with water. Come on, Rex, get a grip, you're better than this. "Sorry! Just sort of thought that by this point karma's gonna screw us over no matter how you look at it."
Pulling her damp clothing back into place, Kateri began quickly braiding her hair back once again, the shorter strands sticking to her forehead. "You're not wrong, but maybe let's not jinx it, yeah?"
"Is everyone ready to go?" Yiska appeared around the corner, the man's own shoulder length black hair also wet along with his clothing. He was tying the raven locks back with a rubber band he'd likely found on a desk somewhere.
"Yeah, we're good here." Kateri said, grabbing her backpack, which also had a damp patch on it, but both of their bags had escaped most of the splatter. "Rex, where are they at?"
The Latino slid the earpiece back into place, having removed it to keep it from getting water damage(and also maybe to escape Salem's teasing over him and Kateri being in the same emergency shower). "Where are you guys at? I think we're cleaned off, so you should be good."
"You sure you're good and clean now?" Rex could practically feel Salem's evil grin.
"Pyra, not now." Ema scolded. "We're in an observatory, marked A-939."
"I know where that is." Yiska said when Rex repeated the information.
"Good." said Kateri. "Because one we find them, we're headed out."
Once again, it was Kateri's father who led the way. Up until this point, no one had paid much attention to the chill that had hung in the air, everyone moving around too much to have given it much notice. Well, now dripping in water that was about forty five degrees from the tap, it made itself quite well known. Kateri was shivering in no time at all, and even Rex was a bit too cold for comfort. Yiska, however, seemed able to ignore it well enough, likely used to the drafty environment in the first place, and simply walking with his arms tucked close to his body.
"This is it." he said, stopping at a door that, was indeed, marked A-939.
"So, uh, we're here." Rex said hesitantly, not exactly sure what to do right then.
A moment later, the door slid aside to reveal just Salem in the doorway, looking very tense. A moment later, Ema appeared to the side, jacket sleeve covering her nose and mouth as she held her breath. It took Rex a second to realize this was because, if something went wrong, Salem was easier to calm than Ema. Then, the auburnette inhaled.
Then, she huffed and shook her head. "You're good, SE. You can tell it was there, but they cleaned up pretty good."
"Alright, then we need to get moving." the petite blond said, wasting no time in walking past. "I kept an eye on Rioter's route, so I do know a path out."
The biggest time for a plan to go wrong was when everything was finally in motion at once, when all the dominos were tipping together. The smallest slip could bring the entire network crashing down before anyone had a chance to realize what had happened.
Kateri nodded, pushing the last domino over. "Then let's go."
Not gonna lie, that shower bit was purely for my own entertainment. I knew I'd have to get them clean somehow, and it had a purpose, but you gotta have some fun somewhere when writing this depressing stuff.
Please leave me a review and tell me what you think! I'll see you all on Monday!