Page 55 of Heart’s Prisoner

"Are you nuts we aren't going down! Did you not feel that?"

"We don't have a choice. That's the closest saferoom. And per protocol, this level is designated to that room."

Lana listened to them but didn't respond though she knew the uniformed man was right. Even if going down meant getting closer to the blast site.

Reluctantly they followed the man to the elevators, Lana looked behind her at the end of the hall before stepping into the elevator as if she feared to see something crawling around the corner and come racing down the hall.

But no, it couldn't be possible. There was no way any of the specimens could get out.

They rode in silence down and when the elevator doors opened to level ten they were met with a large hallway filled with people and chaos.

There were dozens if not hundreds of people packed inside, all forming at the door to the saferoom. Shouts and screams could be heard over the sirens and the repeated announcement from the female voice. Guards with guns order people back as they brought equipment in from another room and stored it into the saferoom first. People huddled together then broke in a wave as the officer allowed them to enter the saferoom a few groups at a time. The floor trembled again and a few people shrieked, officers pushed back a few to wait their turn.

"This is fucking crazy," someone said behind her. Lana couldn't agree more, but she was too speechless to react. She was pushed gently toward the saferoom until she squeezed through the door and found herself in a large concrete-floored and steel-walled room the size of a small gymnasium. There was a medical box in each corner along with several food crates and bed mats. The military equipment was set to the front side of the room while, to one corner, guards directed people away to make space as a set of men entered the room with a small group and brought them over to the sit by the medical box. The group was clearly injured in some way as one was being carried and a few others had bandages on their faces and arms. As Lana moved a little closer to see the group she recognized a few of them.

"Those are my colleagues," she said aloud. She pushed through the throng of people until she was standing before the injured group. Ben was resting Dahlia against the wall while Sarah, the lab tech, was huddled beside them in tears, another tech trying to comfort her.

As Lana stepped forward, a guard got in her way. "Maam, please step back–"

"Those are my colleagues," Lana repeated. "I work with them on twelve."

The guard glanced over at an officer who nodded his head. He stepped aside. "Alright, but keep out of the medical staff's way."

Lana nodded, noticing a few from level six opening up the medical box and gathering supplies. She hurried over to where Ben was searching through a bag he had placed on the ground while keeping Dahlia company.

"Ben, is everyone okay?"

As Ben swerved around to look at her, Lana nearly jumped at the sight of him. He was pale as a ghost, his eyes wide and his mouth slack-jawed. His fingers and legs trembled as he shifted over to sit beside Dahlia. "Lana...Jesus." He wiped his face with the back of his hand. "How did you...I thought you left."

Lana knelt beside him. She glanced at Dahlia who had her eyes shut, a bandage wrapped around her head, covering her left eye. "No, I was going to stay for...nevermind. What happened?"

Ben wiped at his face again then took out the e-cigarette from his pocket. With shaky hands, he put it in his mouth.

"Sir, no smoking in here," the officer said. Ben grimaced and cursed and shoved the cigarette back in his pocket.

"Fuck," he whispered combing a hand through his hair. "It's bad, it's so fucking bad."

Lana frowned and leaned forward, examining Dahlia a little closer, giving Ben time to calm down and explain.

"She'll be cool I think. The medical staff says the glass missed her eye," Ben said.

"I heard the blast."

Ben nodded. "Yea. Those fucking asshole marines didn't even give anyone a chance to take cover."

Lana’s brow wrinkled. "Marines?"

Ben shook his head. "Sorry. Galger, and his team." He rested his head against the wall and shut his eyes, taking deep breaths. "Those bastards shot up the whole place. Didn't even wait to get the others out first. I was coming back from a cig break when it all went down and saw everyone running out and heard the shots. We only just made it through to the elevators before they let off the bomb. And much good it fucking did."

Lana shivered. "I don't understand. Why would they..."

Ben's eyes shot open and he bent forward from the wall. "Can you assholes please shut that door already!" He yelled at the guards in front of the door who were still bringing in more equipment while waiting for the possibility for others to arrive seeking shelter. "Tell them they need to close the doors now!" Ben shouted at the officer standing near them.

"Sir, we have to wait for others."

"There are things–" Ben began to shout again then stopped himself. "Just keep the guards watching the halls will ya."

"They are patrolling, just calm down."

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