Supposedly, they were waiting outside so that they could check out security and escape routes incase… Incase what? Incase anything, I guess, Max mused. However, all the information that was gatherable the two transgenics already knew, and they were both aware that going inside was the next step. Still, they waited.
Max nervously fiddled with the room key in her jeans pocket as they sat on their bikes outside of the prison-like building. It was eerily similar to Manticore with the high barbwire fence, guard towers, and security everywhere. She cast a tentative glance over at her partner in crime, who was looking just about as anxious as she felt. Despite her trepidations over the bed sharing the day before, Alec had not only stayed on his side of the bed, but also placed a protective pillow wall between them because he had a feeling she might kick. "Maybe now isn't the best time."
"Okay, that's it," strong arms encircled Max's waist, ignoring her squeaked protest, and lifted her off the bike, setting her down on her feet. "Let's go."
Sparing him a half thankful glance, Max waited until Alec caught up with her before smacking the back of his head. "Alec, this is a big deal, could you be serious?"
Alec gave her a wounded look, "I am being serious, Maxie. If it wasn't visiting hours we could have never been let in, and if we sit out here any longer someone is bound to get suspicious."
"So what are we going to do?" came the tentative reply, "just walk in and ask to see them."
Nodding, Alec confirmed, "That's the plan, then we meet them, grab 'em, and run like hell."
She whacked him again for good measure, though she couldn't help but appreciate him at east attempting to make things easier. "Run like hell, got it. Okay, I'm ready."
Pulling open the large doors, they were met with the overwhelming smell of bleach, security guards, and a small desk reading 'check in.' Reverting to full soldier mode, Alec strode towards the desk confidently with Max behind him. "Hello, I'm Alec, and this is my friend Max. We called earlier about visiting our mothers, Emily Carrin Montgomery, and Maria Andréa Rodriquez respectively."
The nurse checked through some paperwork quickly and nodded towards them, "ID's?" When two visitors had handed them over, she nodded, "Alright, please follow me."
They followed the nurse through the halls, both edgy but neither showing it. Everything was so cold and sterile, it made Max want to barf and cry at the very same time. She was going to find her mother inside these puke green walls, and it made her shiver. She vowed that if it was the last thing she did, she'd get her mother out of there.
As they rounded another sharp corner the nurse turned to them and announced, "You have perfect timing, it's recess," before turning back to see where she was going.
Max had to physically restrain Alec from punching the woman; she placed her hands on his arms in an effort to get them both to unclench their fists, as she was feeling rather violent herself. Recess?! Treating them like they're first graders when they're what, thirty-something, not even forty? Of course, I guess it's better that they get some free time, not like Manticore…
Finally reaching the end of the seemingly continuous hallways, Max found herself holding onto Alec for a different reason as the nurse led them into a large room with high, barred, windows. Women barely twenty through till almost fifty milled around in a somewhat dazed manner in hospital gowns and robes. Max gasped out quietly, "All from Manticore, I'd bet."
Alec was rendered slightly speechless at the sheer prospects of so many Manticore mothers, one of which was his own. The nurse saved them from introspection, however, by curtly announcing, "Montgomery; Rodriquez, you have visitors," turning back towards a wide-eyed Max and Alec she shrugged, "call one of the guards when you're done," and walked off.
The transgenics paid her no heed, too absorbed by the two young women rising with confused looks and coming towards them, ignored by the rest of the women. The dark, curly haired, one reached them first, seemingly unaware of her startling resemblance to Max. A second later, Emily reached them, seeming slightly more alert and placing her hand on Maria's shoulder gently, "Who are you?"
Pulling Max's death grip off of his arms, Alec shakily spoke, "Hi, Emily, I'm Alec, your son," turning quickly to Maria he added, seeing Max still somewhat frozen, "And Ms. Rodriquez, this is Max, your daughter."