The Decay

Chapter 47 - Capture

47

Richard had little choice in where to go. Of the doors leading to the four wards in the large room in front of him, two had been sealed shut. Only the two on the right side remained. A faded sign read ENT on top of the first door. He headed inside, gun raised. The ward had been transformed into a kitchen of sorts. The reception desk had been modified greatly and tables had been placed to form a makeshift cafeteria. Two mercenaries were sitting down on the right side. Choosing to ignore them and thinking it unlikely to find what he needed here, he decided to turn back and get out without conflict.

Whatever the second ward had been, he had no idea, the sign nowhere to be found. He opened the door quietly and entered, gun raised yet again. Most of the ward was reduced to rubble, but one doorway seemed very well kept. He heard talking from within. “Hey Max, someone's been caught snooping around on the top floor. Phil, Becky and Samuel are dead,” said a female voice. They've got Mike, thought Richard. “Son of a bitch,” replied an angry male. “Where is he now?” “Gerard knocked him out and took him to the roof,” she replied. The man grunted. “Let's go question that bastard before he tosses him off.”

Richard backed out quietly. If he was captured, Anita would be as good as dead. In the last possible moment, he closed the door to the cafeteria, with him inside, and prayed that the two mercenaries were still sitting down facing away from him. They were. He soon heard footsteps as the two in the other ward ran out and towards the roof. Not willing to having to deal with two more mercenaries later, he took aim and shot both mercenaries in front of him with a silencer. After quickly searching the area, failing to find anything useful except some ammunition and a bandage, he left and headed upstairs.

Seeing the left corridor blocked off, he turned right. Signs to the cardiovascular ward and medical outpatient department were up ahead. Instead, he ignored them and ran to the very end of the corridor. A staircase led up to the top floor. Roof access must be from there. He was relieved that the mercenaries had failed to mention Anita, which meant that she was still where they had left her, or so he hoped. The second floor consisted of a large room with two doors. One clearly led to the armory, a wall painting of an assault rifle and an arrow indicating the way. The other was what they had been looking for. Supplies. He found the door locked. Taking two steps back, he pulled out his pistol and shot the lock. Rushing inside, he scrambled to find anything worth taking. He quickly grabbed a few bandages, whatever medical tools he could find and a small box with an assortment of pills, tablets, capsules and small glass vials. Just as he was about to leave, he remembered to grab a few syringes in case they needed them. As he exited the supplies room, he found himself face to face with a mercenary. A strong punch knocked Richard down to the ground, dropping the medicines case. As he struggled to get up, the mercenary threw himself at Richard, pinning him down. With a hand, he managed to grab the mercenary's face and, ring finger in the man's left eye, squeezed hard. The man recoiled, screaming in pain. Richard took advantage of situation and got himself to his feet, ready for hand-to-hand combat. It didn't last long; Richard punched him in the jaw, followed by a knee to the chin. As the man fell down, he pulled out his knife and stabbed the man twice in the chest, killing him. Picking up the medicine case, he headed for the roof.