Page 64 of Heart’s Prisoner

"I'm going to try to lift this," she said. "It might hurt. Be careful not to make too much noise."

Nicole nodded and seemed to brace herself as Lana grasped the bottom of the machine firmly and, with all her strength, began to pull it upward.

The machine was extremely heavy and Lana could only move it enough to give Nicole an inch of leeway in order to slide herself out. When she was free, Lana tried her best to set the machine down as carefully as possible, only making a dull thud. She could see Nicole's face twisted with pain. When Lana gazed down at her leg she could see her foot was bent the wrong way.

"Think it's safe to say it's definitely broken," Lana said.

Nicole laughed softly then winced in pain.

"I'll try to carry you to the cargo elevator and we can take it up to–"

"No," Nicole shook her head. "No, Lana, you don't understand, it's too late now. We can't leave."

Lana frowned at her in confusion. "Why?"

Nicole shifted, trying to get up and Lana grabbed her arm and wrapped a hand around her waist, pulling her off the floor.

"I'll explain once you get me to my office," Nicole said breathing heavily, beads of sweat forming on her face.

"Nicole, you can't be serious."

"I am."

"There are others waiting to get to the docks," Lana protested.

Nicole shook her head weakly. "They will have the ships shut down. By now they know what's happening and they won't allow anyone to go."

Lana stared at Nicole's face and could see she was completely serious.

"So then where can people go?" Lana asked.

Nicole moaned, bending forward and Lana struggled to keep her upright as Nicole balanced on one foot. "They can stay in the saferooms but they might not be secure for long. Otherwise...I don't know."

Lana frowned. She thought of Dahlia and the others and what they would do, but she could do nothing for them now. "Is your office safe?" she asked.

Nicole nodded. "Yes. I have security measures in place. We should hurry."

Lana agreed. She could hear in the distance gunfire, likely coming from the level below them. And the shrill calls of the raptors close by. She tightened her hold around Nicole and slowly walked her out of the operation room. Nicole hobbled along at an excruciating pace and Lana thought to carry her but worried she wouldn't have the strength and might hurt Nicole more. So she continued to walk along with her as they slunk down the hall, Nicole pointing her in the right direction.

By some miracle, they got to her office without a single encounter. Lana brought Nicole over to the keypad so she could open the door. As soon as the door slid open, Lana rushed inside and Nicole quickly let the door close and lock behind them.

"Over...to...my desk," Nicole gestured. Lana did as she asked and carefully sat Nicole down in her chair. Wiping sweat from her brow, Nicole turned on her computer and logged into the database.

"We need to find a way to wrap your leg," Lana said, looking down at the mangled ankle with worry. "Do you have any gauze?"

Nicole pointed at a small medical box on the wall. Lana went over and took out some wrappings. As Nicole accessed files on her computer, Lana went to binding her foot as best she could.

"Sorry, I didn't do the best job."

"Don't worry about it, thank you," Nicole said.

Lana took a seat by the desk. "So the lockdown means no one can leave. I get that. But something tells me there's another reason isn't there?"

Nicole shifted in her seat, wincing as she moved her leg. "Yes."

"You said the base was compromised but not just by the specimens."

Nicole closed her eyes and frowned. "Yes. There is another threat. Something me and my uncle had been keeping under wraps."

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