Page 58 of Heart’s Prisoner

Lana closed her eyes and forced a nod even though she was far from okay. As soon as the fog cleared and her mind was back up to speed she had to fight down the panic that was dangerously close to spilling over and making her lose control. She took a few deep breaths, trying to keep from being sick.

"Where, um...where did you get the footage at?" It really didn't matter but Lana needed something to focus while trying to calm her nerves.

Ben shifted beside her. "I transferred the video files from the recording program. I had the password to access it in case something needed a fix. Figured in case I get called in for questioning I'd have something to bargain with."

"And you said...that Torrence wanted it kept secret?"

"Yea. It was fucked up but he forced us to keep quiet. Officer Galger and his team went out in secret looking for it. Asset X I mean. They were so focused on that for those several hours they didn't think about anything else. Which was probably why this all happened. I don't know if I can still believe it was Dr. Kingsley who did it though. Just seems too crazy to believe, but, shit, I don't know." He coughed a little and cleared his throat. "I saw the team briefly when I went to leave and they came back empty-handed so it's probably good to assume that, you know, the alien is still..."

Lana opened her eyes and her gaze immediately fell on the vent behind the crate at the back wall. Why did all the vents have to be so large?

Her body began to tremble. "I have to get out of here," she whispered.

"Why?" Ben asked.

Because if they all knew what she knew they would be trying to escape the base, not sitting locked up in a room that would barely keep them secure. Lana looked over at him. "We aren't safe."

Before he could say anything, Lana got to her feet and began heading toward the officers and guards stationed near the door. They were all huddled together, nine in total–four officers and five guards, still conversing softly as she stumbled past mats of sleeping people.

One of the officers, a tall, dark-complected man, saw her and signaled for the others to be quiet. "Maam, is there an issue?"

"We have to get out," she said.

They all went still and gave her an odd look.

"No, ma'am, I think you are confused–"

"I'm not confused. We are in danger here." Lana said loud enough for others to catch notice. A few turned their heads in her direction while some sat up on their mats. "We need to get off base. The elevators must still be working, if we are quick we can make it to the ships and–"

"Maam, we are under strict orders not to leave this room."

"Do you even know what's happening?" Lana snapped.

The guards shifted and looked away. The officer held her gaze. "We are acquiring information and will have a report soon."

"It's unnecessary because I can already tell you. We are in serious danger," Lana said.

"What sort of danger?" Lana looked around and saw a warehouse employee and a few technicians sitting up, listening with interest. The one who spoke looked young and was clearly a new recruit with a shaved head and slightly unkempt uniform.

"Everything is fine, please go back to sleep," the officer said to them then looked back at her. "I think you need to go back over to the wall now."

Lana clenched her jaw then turned fully around to the dozen or so pairs of eyes watching. "Please, listen. I come from level twelve. There has been an accident and there are specimens that have escaped and some are very smart and they will find a way in."

The officer gestured to the guards to grab her. "Maam, do not spout false accusations."

"They aren't false!" she tore her arm from one of the guards trying to take hold of her.

"What sort of specimens?" one of the technicians asked.

"Like animals?" asked another.

More and more people were beginning to stir and listen in. Lana saw Ben standing up by the wall and Sarah watching with wild eyes.

"They aren't human but they are more advanced than the animals you know. And some are...hunters. They see us as prey and will come looking for us."

The crowd murmured and a few shook their heads. Some looked confused. Others, frightened.

"Enough. Restrain her," the officer commanded.

---