Chapter 29 As soon as we connect the conference call on the cell phones, Byrone goes ahead and disconnects the cameras. It's time to move. We know from experience that the notification will already be on its way to Whitface, which means he'll soon send word to the lab downstairs. Grey and Theo have obviously planned their part perfectly, the two of them working in unison to remove the door by the stairwell. Sparks fly from the metal as Grey melts the outline of the door while Theo uses a crowbar to jam it into the lock. Then, they destroy the access pad with the blowtorch, sizzling the plate until it crashes to the floor with a clunk. Between the weakened doorframe, warped hinges, and ripped wires from the access pad, the two of them pull the door off within minutes, lifting it and placing it against the wall. At first, I'm a bit confused as to why-why wouldn't they just focus on the access pad like we've done previously? Then it hits me... they are making sure we can get back out. We can't have anything slowing us down, and we have no idea what condition the patients are in. If we need to carry them, stopping to disarm doors and rip out cords is going to eat into valuable seconds. This way, there's an open entrance to get through. Sure, the guards will be able to get to us a hell of a lot quicker, but that's the risk we're taking. I know they are confident in handling the guards, so weighing that against the patients' conditions and the need to get them to safety wins out. No one says a word as we fly down the staircase, weaving into the cold darkness. Even with the hoodie and sweats, I can immediately feel the change in temperature when we move underground. The next door is subjected to the same treatment, much faster than the first, and suddenly, we're on foot toward those large double doors. My heart beats ridiculously fast in my throat, stomach clenching as they come into view. I can just picture the mass panic on the other side, doctors scrambling to flee through hidden exits while either abandoning patients or ensuring they can never speak again. A hand grabs mine, squeezing it tight as our group pauses. I don't dare glance up at Damon as he silently reassures me through our gripped palms, not trusting myself to snap. But I clench his hand back while focusing on Grey and Theo as they work on the doors at lightning speed. I can't help but notice the access pads down here have been updated too-like they expected us to do this. I hate that thought. It means that they still think of themselves as better and stronger than us, not deterred by our efforts. Assholes. It takes longer than the other two singular doors, and every second that passes, I feel myself creeping closer to the ledge. I need to get inside-a thought I'd never imagine myself saying. The overwhelming necessity to make sure these patients are okay is sending rushes of adrenaline through my body. But to my surprise, instead of fear, I feel nothing but anger and the urge to avenge them. I can sense Damon on edge next to me too, his hand in a vise-like grasp with mine, completely still and tense. It's the only sign that he's battling that control inside of himself, and together, we watch the other two work as a perfect team, ripping off the doors at the same time. There's no care with them like the others, the doors smashing into the concrete ground with a deafening bang. But that's okay-we don't need to be subtle. White light blinds us for a moment as the lab is exposed, a startled scream making my lips twitch as a flood of people rush in various directions while staring panic-stricken at us. We must really look an interesting sight-the seven of us standing in the dark corridor, dressed in black with bright red devilish masks. It's obvious they have had a minor bit of warning, but our presence is shocking enough to disturb that. Moving as one, we all storm inside. Damon lets go of my hand, but it's immediately captured by Grey as he pulls me left at the desk. I don't dare glance back at the room behind me where I suffered at the hands of their doctors. Cowards. That's all they are. A few doctors disappear into a doorway which I always thought was just another patient room, but I manage to catch a glimpse through the swinging door. 'It's an exit,' I breathe out to Grey, nodding toward the obvious. He nods. 'Let them go for now. We'll deal with them later,' he says, stopping as we reach the end of the corridor. The door at the end of the corridor to our right is wide open, and my whole body jolts violently as I spot the electroshock machine. Except it's slightly different-more shiny. Even the straps on the bed aren't faded. It's been replaced. I try not to dwell on the fact of what this means, turning to face the patient room door just as Grey kicks it in. Wood shatters as splinters fly in multiple directions. As I spot a curled up figure in the corner, I completely forget about the room of nightmares, rushing inside. 'Siobhan!' I exclaim, kneeling in front of her. 'It's Avery. Are you okay?' Wide dark blue eyes peer up at me. 'Who?' I recoil, taken aback by her confusion. 'Avery... It's me. Remember?' Siobhan blinks a few times, and it's when I notice her eyes are unfocused. 'She's disorientated,' Grey comments. 'Move out of the way, little killer.' I step aside to let him in, but as he leans down to reach for her, Siobhan lets out an angry shout, suddenly bursting with energy. I yell for him to watch out, but Grey catches her fist and dodges her foot with ease. 'Calm down,' he tells her. 'We're getting you out of here.' 'Don't fucking touch me!' 'Grey.' I put my hand on his shoulder. 'We need to help calm her.' 'We don't have time for that-' 'We make time,' I shoot back. 'Go to the next room and let me handle this.' Grey snaps his head toward me. 'We're not splitting up, little killer. That's the only rule for this.' 'We're not splitting up,' I argue back. 'Just keep checking the rooms next door while I try to calm her down. If we try to force her out, it's going to slow us down. We need everyone to be able to move on their own.' 'No-' 'Do it!' I snap, shutting him up. 'We're wasting time. She's vulnerable and her mind is in a bad place. Just give me two minutes-that's all I'm asking for.' Grey falls silent for a few seconds, contemplating my demand. Finally, he stands, grabbing my waist and yanking me into him. 'You have two rooms,' he offers. 'Then I'm coming back and throwing her over my shoulder.' I nod with a sigh of relief. 'Okay. Go.' He hesitates for a split second, glancing between the two of us before hastily heading out of the room. I hear him say something into the cell, likely updating Damon and the others on our-sorry, my-whereabouts. Quickly, I kneel down again, lifting the mask off my face. If Siobhan's mind is in protective survival mode, seeing the masks is only going to escalate those heightened feelings. 'See,' I try again. 'It's me, Avery. Your friend. We're here to rescue you.' Siobhan blinks a few times at me, but doesn't speak. I take this as a good sign, holding up my hands in a calming gesture. 'I know what you're feeling right now. They hurt me too,' I admit softly. 'Which is why we need to get you all back upstairs to safety. I need you to help me. Can you do that?' 'I just...' she pauses. 'I want to see my brother.' Remembering back to my first day here, I nod sympathetically. 'I know. Your brother would want you to fight, Siobhan. He'd want you to be strong. Do it for him.' Something clicks behind her eyes, the dark blue irises widening. 'Avery?' 'Yeah,' I breathe out. 'Let's get you out of here,' I say, offering her my hand. Slowly, Siobhan reaches for it, letting me pull her up. It appears we're just in time as a shadow darkens the doorway and Grey's voice floats in. 'Time to move, little killer.' 'We're coming,' I tell him, keeping a hold on Siobhan's hand as I guide her out into the corridor. It's absolute chaos when I take in my surroundings. Spotting a few patients bundled together near the desk with Louis, Mark, and Andy, I watch as Damon stalks out of a doorway, holding a doctor by the scruff of their white coat. I only have a few seconds to study them, not recognizing them at all, before Damon flings the younger man into the adjacent wall head first. I jump slightly as his head makes a cracking sound, the doctor falling to the ground in a limp heap. Yep, shit-I think he's dead. Either that or he's going to have one hell of a migraine tomorrow. The three of us reach the group as I step over the unconscious, maybe dead, doctor. Is it wrong that I have zero fucks to give? Scanning the group, I let out an exhale of relief at the sight of Eliana in the middle. She seems a little worse for wear, but finding me, I'm offered a tiny, broken smile. I nudge Siobhan to the group, doing a mental head count. 'Is that everyone?' I ask, searching for answers. 'One more,' Damon replies, just as Theo emerges from my old room. Except it's not the male patient scampering out ahead that catches my attention, it's the doctor being dragged harshly by Theo. 'Please let me go,' she winces painfully, trying to remove Theo's steel-like grip from her forearm. My body stills as I watch, nerves going completely numb as she stumbles blindly. I glance down at the doctor on the floor before quickly finding the terrified face of the woman trapped by Theo. 'Wait,' I say urgently, not sure what Theo's plan is. I don't think he'd yeet her into the wall, but then again, I'm not willing to bet on it. At the sound of my voice, the doctor searches for me, cerulean eyes locking with mine. 'A-avery?' she stutters, and I realize I've still got my mask up. Dr. Melanie Cromwell stares at me as if she's seen a ghost-a nightmare from her past. And suddenly, I'm teleported back to my own nightmares-ice cold baths while begging for help, drugged induced hazes while heels click on the ground around my limp body, visions of Grey with Leah in the library while they study me like some lab rat. She was present for each single horrifying moment I spent down here, constantly boasting about my inhumane treatment being for the greater good. I was nothing to her but a test subject. There was no sympathy like she's silently begging me for. No mercy. No help. 'You know her?' Theo asks angrily. 'Was she one of the doctors who tortured you?' I can feel Damon and Grey staring at me through their masks waiting for my answer. All I can do is nod slowly, while stepping toward her. 'Dr. Cromwell,' I mutter, and I'm not sure if I'm telling them or greeting her. It's strange being on the other side-in a position of power while she's restrained, scared shitless. Her legs slip on the flooring, heels sliding as she flails to keep balance while Theo holds onto her tightly. 'Avery, please,' she begs, only looking at me. 'Why should I help you?' I say emotionlessly. 'You didn't help me. You didn't show me any grace or compassion while you were torturing me. So, tell me, Melanie... why should I help you?' Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!