Heart Pangs

Chapter 29 - Egress

The moment Lenora is out of sight, Lux lets out a long sigh. She suspects him, he knows she does, but it's too late to turn back. Cecil probably suspects him as well, but Lux doubts he'd be smart enough to figure out the truth. Lenora on the other hand....

Lenora is a Facility worker who shows up on time every day, does her job, and goes home for the night. Nothing more, nothing less. Lux isn't sure where her allegiances would lie if it ever came down to him or the Facility. Either way, putting her at risk is beyond his intentions. He hopes she doesn't go digging any deeper or they'll both be in trouble.

By the time Lux arrives at the main entrance to the Facility, Camille seems to have calmed down. Most likely exhausted herself. If he concentrates, he can feel her breathing, heavy and irregular. She's either sobbing or hyperventilating. Probably both, but unfortunately there isn't much Lux can do about that.

Normally, at this point in his work day, he'd go to his office to start digestion. It's illegal for Facility workers to leave the premises with live prey. He'd always relished the hour or so he had to himself in there. The quiet and the privacy would make up for how quickly he had to digest in order to get home at a decent time (although sometimes if his prey had been a particularly abhorrent criminal, he would spare a little extra time for his stomach to work them over).

Tonight, of course, is different. He can't go to his office to relax. He can't let Camille digest. He needs to get her out of the Facility as quickly as possible, alive. That last part will be tricky and have severe consequences if Lux can't pull it off just right. His plan for getting her past the security check is half-baked and relies mostly on the status and influence he bears.

"Good evening, Lux!" the guard calls with a friendly smile when Lux comes into view of the checkpoint.

The guard is an older Facility worker by the name of Eric Kline, and he always mans the entrance during late night shifts. He's worked there for decades, possibly longer than Supervisor Bakula himself. The man knows and greets all the other Facility workers by name. As far as Lux knows, Kline has only ever worked security. He doesn't know what it feels like to be an Extractor or Disposer. But surely, he has to have some idea what it means to hold a prey, what it's like to digest one.

Lux flashes a grin at the guard. "More like good morning this late into the night." He laughs and squeezes his abdomen tight, keeping his prey as still as possible.

Kline checks his watch and raises a brow in surprise. "Guess you're right," he says.

"It's easy to lose track of time in here," Lux reassures him as he steps into the scanner.

"You can say that again."

The scanner emits a sharp beep and a red light goes off. Kline blinks in surprise.

"Hold up a moment, Lux," he says, tone suddenly serious. "We've picked up an extra heartbeat on you. Your prey's still alive."

Lux slowly turns to face him, expression a little sheepish. "I was worried about that," he admits. "I didn't give it as much time as I normally do."

Kline frowns. "Well, you know the rules. You'll have to wait inside a bit longer."

Lux's shoulders drop and he allows a look of irritation to cross his face. "I've been working all night," he says, keeping his words short. He draws himself to his full height, bearing down on the guard. "And the drive home isn't exactly short. I'm not sure how much energy I'll have left for driving if I stay much longer."

Kline shifts uncomfortably. "Of course I don't want you to be driving home dangerously tired, sir...." Then he clears his throat, "But I'm sure someone of your prestige can be ready to leave in another ten minutes or so."