Lucy
Chapter Eleven
Concern
Biggs was pacing outside the Infirmary like a soon-to-be-father would be waiting for his child's birth to be announced. Riles had been locked inside that room with Lucy for a long time. Alec had tried to calm him down, but inevitably gave up when Max joined in the restless dance. Alec resigned himself to a chair, watching the annoyingly rhythmatic walk. Max would stop in front of the door, then turn on her heel, and walk to the end of the room and back again. Biggs was more straightforward; worry lines creased his forehead, unable to understand why humans got sick. With his super immune system, he'd never been concerned about it. Alec finally rapped on the door in a silent hope to end the constant movement that was slowly driving him insane. Riles peeked out with an exasperated yes.
"Please, tell them what's wrong before I make them both patients."
Riles chuckled at Alec's discomfort. She did love to torment him. Max and Biggs did deserve to know what was happening with their friend, though, so she decided to answer Alec's request.
"I haven't completed my examination, but her major illness is being in Terminal City for too long. She's an Ordinary and Terminal City has some antigens that are potentially deadly to Ordinaries. Lucy's immune system was down and it's made her susceptible to the antigens. The best thing for her would be to get out of Terminal City as soon as possible."
Biggs sighed. "How are we supposed to get an unconscious human girl out of Terminal City without anyone noticing?"
"That's up to you. I just diagnose 'em."
Max sunk into a chair, her mind racing. She knew Lucy shouldn't have come to Terminal City. She'd warned Lucy about the dangers, but Lucy had insisted. Maybe Max should have insisted Lucy go somewhere else. She dropped her face into her hands, trying to form a plan. She had to. It was the only way to help Lucy. Max asked for Alec's cell phone and dialed her old home number.
"This is Original Cindy."
"O.C., it's me."
"Hey, girl. How's everything goin'? Doggy Dog doin' aiight?"
"Yeah. We're all fine, 'cept my girl, Lucy. She's human. I knew her after I got out of Manticore. She's been staying in the City, but I need to get her out. Can you take her for awhile, Cindy?"
"Original Cindy's got plenty of room. Bring her by when you can. If Cindy's not there, you can just leave her there."
"Thanks, girl."
"No problem. Tell Doggy Dog and your boy that Sketchy and I say hey. Oh, and tell Golden Boy that Normal really misses him."
Max laughed as she hung up the phone, but didn't protest the use of her boy. She was too tired to protest it. She tossed the phone back to Alec.
"Normal misses you, Golden Boy. Probably misses you in that gladiator suit, you dominatrix."
Alec groaned and Biggs held up his hands, before they explained.
"I don't even want to know what you're talking about. It sounds disturbing on so many levels."
Riles walked back out of the Infirmary, both hands firmly on her hips.
"She's not too badly infected. Once she gets far enough away from T.C., she'll heal. It'll only be like she had the flu. But the longer she stays here, the more ill she'll become."
"I've been making arrangements. Alec and I will take her to Original Cindy's in an hour. We've got to figure out how to get her out of here."
"I'm coming with you, too." Biggs stated. It wasn't a request, just a sentence that left absolutely no room for debate.
"Be here in an hour and you can." Max allowed.
"I'm not leaving Lucy at all." That was all he said before he entered the Infirmary. Max watched him crawl onto the thin mattress and wrap his around the unconscious girl. He seemed to feel useful just holding her. Max whirled around to face Alec. An unspoken understanding passed through them as they each made silent preparation for Lucy's escape.
Max rolled her motorcycle down the long, empty corridor towards the Infirmary. Biggs was standing in the doorway, Lucy cradled in his arms, not looking any better than she had been. Alec was waiting for the trio to return to the genetics lab. Biggs transferred Lucy onto the motorcycle like he was handling a porcelain doll. He eased himself behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Lucy slumped against him, her head lulling from side to side. He started to walk the Ninja on the journey back to the lab.
They knew they would have to start the engines as soon as they were out the door. They'd look suspicious walking a motorcycle down the street and that would get them stopped even more than making the noise from the engine. They needed to emerge into the crowd quickly. Alec pushed his collar up, suddenly feeling self-conscious about his barcode. Usually, he could care less about it, but this was too important to blow. This would affect Lucy, someone Max and Biggs cared a lot about. Max's hair covered her barcode and Biggs' jacket covered his. Alec sighed as they opened the door to the street. He could only step back when he saw that a woman stood self-confidently in the doorway. She was tall, with black hair falling to her waist. Her eyes were rimmed heavily with eyeliner, making the almond shaped chocolate eyes stand out. Other than that, she blended into the background. She was far from beautiful, especially standing in front of Max. They were similarly designed, but Max was the kind of girl everyone remembered seeing once because they'd taken so many double takes. This girl was ordinary. At least that's what she was supposed to seem. Manticore probably designed her to seem ordinary to make her appeal less threatening. Her essence cried out transgenic. And to Max, it cried out opponent. Max stepped forward, standing next to Alec. "Rissa Alienne."
"Glad to know you recognize me. Most people don't."