Part 4. The Savior

In the darkness of the desert, two silhouettes with feline grace jumped over a three-meter fence and, with a speed that only a cheetah can develop, rushed deep into the closed territory towards the barracks. At the same moment, without suspecting anything, two scientists in white protective suits carried a shiny metal cylinder with caustic gas to the other side of the base, deciding to take a shortcut, they moved away from the main cluster of structures and went through a small wasteland in the distance. Suddenly, a tall humanoid creature covered with a chitinous exoskeleton appeared right in front of them. His eyes shone with a bright green light, with a dull hiss, the creature threw his arm forward and with a sharp movement tore off the head of one of the employees. The second one fell to the ground and began to crawl away, trying to squeeze out at least a word, as he rested against something solid, raising his head he saw the same creature, but of a more refined shape, long tufts of processes covered with chitin hung from his head to his shoulders. His eyes met the glowing blue eyes of a creature that bent down, put a clawed hand on the man's head and crunched it so that where the adam's apple used to be, a piece of the cervical vertebra was now sticking out.

Towards morning, he was already beginning to fall asleep when the cell door opened and two men in suits similar to those used during chemical attacks, or to protect against viruses, entered. They silently picked him up from the floor and dragged him down the corridor, he could not see their faces because of the protective screens. The thought had already flashed through his mind that he was being led to death. After passing through several corridors, they moved to the doors with the sign "emergency exit". They got out and walked to a black van parked nearby. One agent led him to the back door, the other got into the driver's seat and started the engine. The second sat down next to him and pulled off the mask from his head, thick white hair fell on his shoulders, turning her head she looked at him with her bright eyes, a barely noticeable smile appeared on her face: "Hello, Dean." As it turned out, by some feeling unknown to human nature, Sarah sensed that he was in danger. She couldn't explain it herself. She seemed to have visions, she felt that he was in pain and needed help. Then she and John decided to get him out of the lab. They understood how risky it was, and if they were caught, they would have a miserable existence at the level of experimental rats.

At first, they raced along a wide federal highway, violating all possible rules, overtaking in the oncoming lane, ignoring the red traffic light. Then they turned onto a narrow country track leading into the depths of the forest. Having rested and changed into clean underwear, Dean sat next to John and looked at the pines flashing along the road with a lost expression on his face. Turning around and making sure that Sarah was sleeping curled up in the backseat, he turned to a tall guy with short brown hair, a manly face, sharp cheekbones, dressed now in a gray T-shirt and old worn jeans. Dean didn't know where to start the conversation, casting brief glances at John.

- Thank you... you took a lot of risks, it was really crazy what you pulled off - Dean was very excited, unlike Sarah, it was hard for him to find a common language with John. Males were generally more unsociable and less talkative. Especially considering John's character and the fact that he took on the role of Sarah's protector and guardian. He was against any contact with people without serious necessity.

- Don't thank me, you did a lot for us, we couldn't do it any other way - John said it in an iron voice, without taking his eyes off the road as the van bounced on bumps and pits.

- They will be looking for me, we can't stay together for long. Where are we going by the way?

- To one place... hardly anyone knows about him, we stumbled upon him with Sarah a couple of months ago when we were exploring the neighborhood. John grinned and looked into Dean's eyes. Now his face from serious and frowning was softer and more cheerful. There was a faint green light in the pupils. There was no strength to continue the conversation further, and leaning back in the seat, Dean closed his eyes and instantly fell into the pleasant and welcome embrace of sleep.

When he woke up, they were deep in the forest on the shore of a small lake, the caps of snow-capped mountains were visible in the distance. There was a small house not far from the lake, which, judging by its deplorable appearance, had not been used for a long time.

John was dragging boards to light the fireplace, Sarah was inside the house and trying to put it in order. Dean immediately began to help her, after which he and John tried to fix an old generator in the basement and restore electricity. They spent the whole day making this shack look divine. Closer to sunset, they managed to have a little snack and when John left to explore the area in the neighborhood, he and Sarah managed to be alone for a while. He had never experienced such awkwardness as now, when he sat next to her on the threshold of the house and looked into the distance at the mirrored surface of the lake and the tops of the trees blackening in the sunset sky, which were covered with a carpet by the mountains surrounding this place.

- It's beautiful – Dean felt for the first time the simple human joy of contemplating nature – I didn't know that there are such places in this state, although I've never traveled, so how should I know.

Sarah looked at him in surprise, blinking rapidly

- Dean. Is there something you want to ask?

- Yes, I don't even know, it's been so long. You haven't changed, as if Hastings and I had just escorted you to the bridge yesterday. How are you at all?

Sarah thought for a minute

- It's fine. We live as we can. As you taught us. We spend the night in old motels on the outskirts, survive in the woods, in principle, there is everything you need to exist well. Sometimes we get out into the city, mainly to steal food, replenish supplies of clothes and necessary things. Once we even got to a rock concert, I don't understand how we were not noticed then. John was terribly offended at me then, he didn't talk to me for two days. And you?

- Damn it. It's also fine. I became a professor of biochemistry, just like Abbott, can you imagine? Dean grinned.

Sarah also smiled and looked shyly at Dean

- You know, I often remember the time when we were all together. They lived in Abbott's house, if it wasn't for those damn half-breeds, nothing would have happened. They wouldn't have found us, Abbott would have made it so that no one would have known about our existence. And... and none of this would be happening now.

- Yes, that would be great - And then Dean remembered the shots that Vasakh showed him, they noticed not only Sarah on them, but Eva was also on them – Sarah, tell me, do you feel someone else's presence, more representatives of your species?

Dean didn't know how to even tell Sarah about it. She turned to him and looked at him with uncomprehending eyes

- No, I don't feel anything.

Dean was about to speak, but he heard a roar from behind and the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps. Tearing pine branches to shreds, a tall alien covered with thick chitin approached them, his dark green armor turned into human skin on the move, bared fangs, on a grotesque skull covered with black skin, with bright eyes, as if made of glowing lamps, turned into a simple human face of an adult guy.

- We need to get out of here. They are close, combing the forest a couple of miles from here, they have heavy equipment and helicopters, I saw whole crowds of soldiers. I'm not sure, but it seems they had flamethrowers. They'll be here soon.