Matt entered the Hub to find Jess sitting alone at the ADD. He walked toward, weaving around the tables. Jess was exchanging her attention between the computer and a pile of papers to her right. In fact, she seemed to be using the computer to coincide with her paperwork. He walked up behind her on her left.
Jess glanced in his direction for a moment. She gave him a quick smile and turned back to her paperwork. "Hey Matt."
"Jess." Matt nodded.
"Is there something I can do for you?" Jess asked.
"I was hoping so, but I see you're busy right now." Matt replied.
Jess shook her head. "Oh no. I was just double checking Becker's paperwork."
Matt arched one of his brows. "Becker asked you to do that?"
"Nope. He has no idea that I do this." Jess explained. "In fact, I check everybody's paperwork, even yours."
"I thought as much." Matt replied.
Jess snorted. "Yeah, I don't think Lester would approve of your paperwork as it is. Anyway, what did you need?"
"I was wondering if I could talk to you about Emily." Matt said.
Jess frowned. "Is something wrong?"
Matt shook his head. "No. Not at all."
"Good because she seemed really happy this morning." Jess explained. "Apparently someone left a vase of flowers on her desk."
"Really?" Matt feigned surprised.
"Yes. It was a very sweet gesture Matt. What made you think of it?" Jess asked.
Matt smiled. He knew Jess wouldn't see through his act. "Just trying to make up for lost time."
Jess nodded. "About time."
Matt cleared his throat. "Tell me, how did it take Becker to finally make a move?"
"Touché." Jess said. "What did you want to talk about?"
Matt glanced up at that moment. He did a double take when he spotted Emily walking on the upper deck outside the hub. She was wearing a short, dark green dress. The sleeves reached down to her elbow, made of a matching sheer fabric. She carried a thin file in her arms as she walked. Beside her, Danny was walking alongside her, talking. The conversation seemed to be important, as both seemed to have a grave look on their faces.
"Matt." Jess called.
Matt turned back to Jess quickly.
"There was something you wanted to talk about." Jess reminded.
"Right. Sorry." Matt said.
Jess looked up in the direction Matt had been looking at moments ago. She spotted Danny and Emily walking above them. "They're talking about Ethan."
Matt frowned. "How do you know?"
"Danny was asking if I'd seen Emily just before you stopped by. He said he needed to talk with her about Ethan." Jess explained. "I think he wants to go back through an anomaly. I mean, he did lose him before he found you."
Matt nodded. "Can't say I blame him. But I'm not sure he wants to hear what Ethan's become since he got trapped."
"So, Emily." Jess said.
Matt looked back down at Jess. "I need to know how she was after the incident. After the anomaly closed."
Jess took a deep breath. She looked up at Emily again before answering the question. "Truthfully, Emily was utterly distraught..."
"Matt!" Emily screamed. She threw herself toward Matt, reaching out for him as the anomaly closed in front of her. Emily fell to the ground where the anomaly had been just seconds ago. She slowly pushed herself up onto her hands. She looked down at the ground of the anomaly site. She lifted her head, looking around.
Dead and injured were scattered across the field. The others were still against the car just meters away. They looked on in shock and horror at Emily in the field. Becker pushed himself off the car. He slowly walked through the battlefield toward Emily. Abby followed several feet behind him. Emily remained motionless on the ground. She stared in front of her in a daze of shock.
Abby dropped to her knees behind Emily. She placed a hand onto Emily's shoulder, startling her slightly. Emily looked over her shoulder at Abby, still dazed. "Emily, we have to go."
Emily shook her head slowly. "But…we can't leave…"
"We have backup on the way. They'll watch for another anomaly." Abby explained.
"I want to stay." Emily said.
Abby opened her mouth but she doubted her resistance to the tears that threatened to fall.
"Come on, Emily." Becker said. He gently grabbed Emily's shoulder and helped her rise to her feet. Emily stood with Becker, not resisting in anyway. Becker walked with his arms around Emily's shoulders back to the truck.
"You closed it." Everyone looked up to find Burton standing several meters from the truck. He stared incredulously out anomaly less field. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Emily moved quickly, moving in fury. She grabbed the gun from Jess' hand and pointed it at Phillip. She stormed up to him, pressing the muzzle of the gun against his chest. Phillip stared at her in shock, but stood his ground.
"Emily put the gun down." Abby ordered.
"Do you have any idea what you've here. All these people that you killed, all the people that would have died, because of you." Emily said.
"Put the gun down Emily." Becker said.
"Emily this isn't the way to deal with this." Connor said.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't shoot you." Emily demanded.
"Matt wouldn't want you to do this, Emily." Becker grabbed the muzzle of the gun. "Put it down."
Emily turned to Becker. She slowly lowered the gun and released it. Becker took the gun and emptied the magazine.
Suddenly a shot rang throughout the field. Phillip was thrown backwards, tumbling onto the ground. Everyone turned in surprise. Jess lowered the EMD in her hand and returned it to Abby. She looked neither remorseful nor concerned for Burton. She grabbed Emily's hand and pulled her into the truck with her. Emily sat beside Jess and broke down. She buried her face into her hands as the tears fell. Jess wrapped her arms around Emily as tears from her own eyes. The other climbed into the car, sharing in the traumatic aftermath of their mission.
"Emily was practically catatonic for the next few days." Jess continued. "She wouldn't eat, she was constantly breaking down. Then she collapsed and…well, we all feared she'd lost the baby."
Matt looked away from Jess.
"Thank fully she didn't. And that seemed to be the only thing that brought her out of her state." Jess finished.
Matt looked up from the console, where Danny and Emily had finished. He'd never had imagined how his actions affected her. Not to the severity as it had. But looking at her now, there were no remnants of what Jess had explained. He watched Emily and Danny part and walk off in different directions.
"Losing you didn't terrify her, Matt. It traumatized her." Jess explained.
Matt turned back to Jess.
"Look, I know this might not be my place but Emily's my friend. And watching her go through all of that was heartbreaking. I know how Emily feels about you, even if she hasn't actually told me. Now I don't know how you feel about her, but whatever you're doing, you need to be careful. You've already tempted fate more than once since you left. And I don't know if Emily can take much more of it." Jess explained.
Matt nodded. "Thanks Jess."
Jess smiled lightly.
Suddenly the alarm sounded throughout the facility. The regulation lighting switched off and the Anomaly Alert red lights kicking on. Matt glanced around for a split second before turning to the ADD. Jess was already in front of the main screen, typing quickly.
"Where is it Jess?" Matt asked.
"Coordinates are coming up now." Jess said. She looked up at the screen. "Oh god."
Matt looked at the screen. "What?"
"The anomalies inside the facility." Jess explained. She typed furiously on the keys. "North Quarter. The lockdown's already been initiated in the area."
"That area's for supplies and board quarters. Have the others meet me there." Matt ordered. He grabbed his black box from the desk.
"Right." Jess said.
Matt turned from the ADD and jogged out the doors of the hub. He moved quickly, dogging the remaining evacuating personnel. He turned down the corner toward the North corridor.
"Jess, I'm coming up on the door. You got a count of how many personnel are still in the corridor?" Matt asked.
"I can't say for certain. I haven't been able to locate anything on the black boxes or CCTV cams." Jess explained.
"Where's the anomaly location in the corridor?" Matt asked.
"Three meters from our entrance." Jess answered.
"Alright. Can you give me anything on the creature?"
"Still working on it. The electro magnetism of the anomaly is messing with the camera feeds." Jess explained.
Matt came to the corridor to find it empty. The large metal door was locked in place. He approached the door and looked through the small window. He could see the golden sphere just meters from him. He glanced behind him, waiting for the others.
"Matt we have another problem." Jess said.
"Talk to me Jess." Matt said. He looked back through the window. Suddenly Emily walked around the corner just meters from the anomaly. Matt felt his heart stop.
"Emily's in the lockdown zone." Jess explained.
"Emily!" Matt yelled.
Emily looked past the anomaly at Matt.
"Get back from the anomaly!" Matt ordered.
Emily nodded, stepping backwards from the anomaly.
"What's going on?" Becker asked, appearing beside Matt.
"We've got an anomaly just three meters from us and four meters from Emily." Matt explained.
Becker looked into the window. "What's she doing in there?"
"Guys I've got the others on the comms. They're on the opposite Quarter entrance." Jess explained. "I'm still working on Emily's commlink."
"Emily can you hear me?" Matt asked.
Emily nodded.
"Listen, I want you to get back into your room and seal it." Matt ordered.
Emily nodded and began moving back toward the corridor.
"Matt something's coming through the anomaly." Jess informed.
Matt and Becker watched through the window. A dark figure came closer and stepped through the anomaly. The creature shrieked its shrill high pitch cry, echoing through the glass. The predator leapt at the window and slashed at the glass. It snarled viciously, trying to get to Matt and Becker. It sniffed the air and turned from them. It spotted Emily just meters from it. It snarled loudly and leapt after her. Emily disappeared around the corner with the predator chasing after.
Matt slammed on the window. "Damnit. Jess we need a way in."
"I can't open the doors. The lockdown takes complete control in the sector." Jess explained.
Becker looked up. "I've got an idea. Quinn."
Suddenly a ventilation grate dropped just meters behind them. Becker and Matt both raised their EMD's to the grate. Danny's head popped out the open vent. "Way ahead of ya, Soldier Boy."
Emily moved quickly down the corridor, but she couldn't run. She used the wall as reference, moving backwards toward her room. The predator came around the corner, leaping from wall to wall as it followed her.
"Emily take the next door." Jess ordered.
Emily's hand skimmed over a metal handle. She grabbed it and pulled it open. Emily rushed into the room and closed the door just as the predator came down upon her. She stumbled back from the door as the predator slammed into the door. Her hand slipped over the wall, searching for a light of any kind. She found one, illuminating the room. Emily turned to find herself in a smaller control room. There was a small computer set up on the far wall besides several pipes and valves.
"Jess, where am I?" Emily asked.
"You're in the North Quarter Regulation Control Room." Jess answered.
"What exactly is controlled in here?"
"Water, air, electricity, and gas." Jess answered. "Listen, Matt, Becker, and Danny are in the vents moving into the section."
"The computer here, can it lock the doors and vents within the lockdown area?" Emily asked.
"Yes, why?"
"I've got an idea." Emily answered. She moved to the computer console. "Let's just hope those computer lessons pay off today."
Matt, Becker, and Danny crawled through the ventilation system. Danny was in the lead, pushing the locking device in front of him. Becker came up behind him with Matt bringing up the rear. Like the complex, the vents were larger, allowing for easier access through the building. Mat recalled Becker opting for smaller vents in the last facility, just to ensure no one like Quinn used them fir entrance into the facility. But seeing as they were in another facility under different circumstances, Matt was rather fond of the larger vents.
"Guys I should warn you, five more predators have slipped through the anomaly. Several have decided to conjugate around Emily's hiding place." Jess said.
"Copy that." Becker replied.
Suddenly a sharp sound echoed behind Matt. Matt looked over his shoulder to find the vent closed off. A second sound echoed in front of them. Just ahead of Danny, the vents closed them off. Matt frowned.
"Jess what's goin' on?" Matt asked.
"It's Emily. She's at the control console for the quarter." Jess explained.
Becker slammed his elbow into the grate beside him. IT dropped to the ground, clattering to the floor below. He looked through cautiously before dropping to the ground. "You better move fast. They probably heard the noise."
Danny passed the locking device down to Becker and dropped to the ground. Matt followed behind them. Becker was kneeling toward the corner, watching for creatures. Danny was at the machine, setting it up.
"Jess, what exactly is Emily doing?" Matt asked.
"I have no idea, she won't tell me?" Jess explained.
"How does she even know how to sue a computer?" Becker asked.
"I might have showed her the basics." Jess answered.
"Does anyone else smell gas?" Danny asked.
Matt frowned and took a whiff. He coughed. The air was tainted with the foul scent of gas.
"Where's that coming from?" Becker asked.
"Jess what exactly is accessible form the console?" Matt asked.
There was a paused.
"Jess?"
"Water, air circulation, electricity, and gas." Jess explained.
"She turned the gas on." Becker said. He looked up to Matt.
Matt met his look. "God I hope she's not doing what I think she's doing."
Suddenly a predator's shrieked echoed through the hall. Matt and Becker both turned to attention, ready to fire. The predator came bounding around the corner. It lashed out at the air at them. Matt and Becker readied their aim. But another door dropped down in front of them before they or the predator made a move. Matt looked at the wall and lowered his EMD.
"Damnit. Jess, we've just been cut off from the Quarter." Matt said.
"I know. I've been trying to hack into the system but I can't. And Connor's trapped on the other side without a console." Jess explained.
"Can you patch Emily into our channel?" Matt asked.
"Yes, I think I've finally fixed that." Jess explained.
"Emily can you hear me?" Matt asked.
"I hear you." Emily said.
"What the hell are you doing?" Matt demanded.
"Listen with the anomaly sealed with you there's no further danger of more creatures getting in, but I have no weapon and I'm locked in here. I've got to try something." Emily explained.
"Turning on the gas is your plan?" Becker asked.
"Tell me she's not going to ignite it." Danny said.
"I am." Emily answered.
Becker winced.
"Emily, you've flooded all the corridors. If you ignite the gas you won't be safe anywhere." Matt explained. "Not even where you are now."
"I know." Emily replied. "But there isn't any time."
"There's plenty of time we'll figure out another way." Matt said.
Silence fell over the comms.
"Emily?" Matt asked.
Suddenly the walls shook fiercely. The lights sparked and lost power. The corridor echoed loudly with a massive rumble. Matt staggered into the wall. Becker remained crouched low to the ground. Danny stumbled over the locking device onto the ground. The tremors subsided within seconds, but the damage had been done.
"Jess what the hell what that?" Matt asked.
"Emily ignited the gas and I've lost all cameras into the area." Jess explained.
"Open the doors." Matt ordered.
Emily typed cautiously on the keys. She watched the screen and kept typing. The screen flashed a series of words, indicating Emily had initiated her plan. She walked to the gas pipe and opened the valve. She moved back to the computer and continued typing. She bit her lip and glanced back at the door. The predators pounded on it, trying to break it down. She didn't have much time.
"Emily, can you hear me?" Matt asked.
"I hear you." Emily said.
"What the hell are you doing?" Matt demanded.
"Listen, with the anomaly sealed with you, there's no further danger of more creatures getting in, but I have no weapon and I'm locked in here. I've got to try something." She explained.
"Turning on the gas is you plan?" Becker asked.
"Tell me she's not going to ignite it." Danny said.
Emily smirked. "I am."
"Emily, you've flooded all the corridors in this area. If you ignite the gas you won't be safe anywhere. Not even where you are now." Matt explained.
"I know." Emily replied. She walked from the console to the shelves. She scanned the shelves for one particular item. She pulled it from the shelf, carefully and set it on the ground. She grabbed a set of matches from the shelf and kicked the shelter toward the computer. "But there isn't any time."
"There's plenty of time. We'll figure out another way." Matt said.
Emily slipped beneath the shelter and pressed the access key. She heard the door unlock and open on its open. She struck a match and tossed it toward the opened door. She sealed her shelter as the match ignited the gas. There was a massive rush of heat over her body. Emily closed her eyes and kept her face down toward the floor. The air was searing and the roar was deafening. Emily held her breath, waiting for the moment to pass. Her body screamed in agony from the excessive heat imitating form the inferno. It seemed like an eternity of fire raging around her. Emily felt her stomach churn. She covered her belly with her hands, hoping to protect her child from the heat.
The heat seemed to die down first. But Emily could hear nothing over the loud ringing of the explosion. She took in a warm breath, immediately coughing. She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to catch a breath of usable air, but none came. She held herself close to the ground, away from the rising smoke. She needed air fast.
Emily felt the shelter rise from her body and a hand grabbing her arm. Emily opened her eyes. Amidst the thick black smoke, she could barely make out Matt beside her. He pulled off his coat and wrapped Emily inside it. He lifted her into his arms and stood. Emily buried her face into Matt's jacket, using it to inhales somewhat usably air.
Matt moved quickly through the burning corridors. He held Emily close to his chest as he walked. The explosion had caused massive amounts of damage to the corridors. Sparking wires hung loose from the ceiling, creating a dangerous jungle. Lights had all been destroyed in the fire, leaving exposed fixtures to spark onto the ground. Carcasses of predators lay in ashes on the floor, forming a sort of path toward the corridor door.
Jess had the medics ready by the time Matt reached the safety of the corridor. He gently set Emily on the ground, but stayed near her. The medics quickly placed an oxygen mask over her face and proceeded to give one to him. The medics lifted Emily onto a gurney and led her through the corridor toward the medical bay.
Emily lay on her side in the hospital bed. Her right hand lay beneath her head, supporting her on her pillow. She wore a small tube beneath her nose to supply a stream of oxygen for her. Several small monitor patches had been placed over her belly after her arrival, monitoring her baby. Emily looked at the monitor screen, watching her baby's heartbeat. It had finally stabilized about an hour ago, easing Emily's mind.
She mentally cursed herself for her actions. She'd taken a dangerous risk by igniting the gas. If she hadn't managed to seal the anomaly, she could've killed Matt, Danny, and Becker. If she hadn't found the fire shelter, she would have died. So many things could have gone wrong. She could have survived but killed her baby in the process.
A tear slipped down her cheek, onto her hand. She'd made such a rash decision and nearly paid a heavy price for it.
A soft hand touched hers. Emily turned her head to find Matt standing beside her bed. His face was still covered in soot, smudging his face. His jacket was cast over his left arm. Btu despite all that had happened in the past few hours, he gave her a smile.
"How're you feelin'?" he asked.
"Alright." She lied.
Matt dropped his coat onto the chair beside the bed. "Doctor told me the baby's heartbeat stabilized."
Emily nodded. She turned her head back toward the monitor. "No thanks to me."
"Hey." Matt called. He walked around the bed and faced Emily. "You did what you thought was best. In all honesty, any of us would have done the same thing in your position."
"Somehow I doubt that." Emily said.
Matt grabbed her hand. "Listen to me. Everythin's gonna be alright. You're fine. And she's fine. That's all that matters."
"She could have easily died today because of my plan." Emily said.
"But she didn't." Matt replied. "She's fighin' today just like you were. She hasn't given up yet, so don't you start."
Emily said nothing and continued to watch the monitor.
"Emily, I want you to move back into the flat with me." Matt said.
Emily looked up at Matt. "What?"
"I want you to move back to the flat with me." Matt repeated. I want to come home with me. Where you're safe."
"I was safe at the ARC." Emily said.
"I know you were. But after today I want to know that you're just down the hall from me rather than a few miles. I want to know that I can help you when you need and not stand by like I did today." Matt explained. "And since you burned your room and every other team quarters in the ARC, you can't go back there."
Emily smiled. "No, I can't."
Matt's grip on her hand tightened. "I mean it. I want you to come back home with me."
"Alright." Emily answered.
Matt smiled. "Oh, I almost forgot." He reached into his pack pocket and retrieved a small book. The pages were singed and the cover was coated in soot and ash, but it was still in decent condition. "I figured you'd want this."
Emily's eyes grew wide. "You found it? I didn't think it survived the fire."
Matt smirked. "Well, the ARC happens to have some decent storage cabinets."
Emily took the book into her hands and looked up at him. "Thank you."
London England
October fourteenth two thousand and eleven
Tonight's entry is one written in exhaustion and secrecy. I have been confined to these horribly uncomfortable hospital beds and write in secrecy as Matthew sleeps just feet from me. Should he awake and find me awake and writing, I have no doubt he will take this journal from me and not return it till morn.
An anomaly opened within the ARC earlier today. When the facility locked down, I was trapped within the anomalies area. I made a decision to illuminate the creatures that passed through and nearly killed myself and my daughter in the process. However, thank to Matthew and the wonderful hospital staff, my daughter and I are fine. But I am fully aware that the outcome of my actions could have been far more severe. As a result, my chambers within the ARC and the entire area of the lockdown were destroyed.
Matthew asked me to return to his flat with him after I am released. He told me that he wanted me to return with him. I can tell he feels somewhat guilty for what occurred today. However I know that nothing was his fault today. I have learned that life is not a direct path. There are diversions and alternative routes that must be taken. Nothing can be planned. However, I accepted his offer. In truth, I have long since missed the nights in his flat. Tending to him last month reminded me just how much I had come to miss the large windows and terrace. I will enjoy waking up with the sun casting tis warm rays on my face. And it will be nice to see the world outside of the ARC.
chapter lesson: fear a determined woman...i think