Insurrection (Completed) [editing]

28. Attack Drill

Chapter twenty eight - Attack drill

An alarm sounded, signalling an attack drill.

Marvin nodded when Mr Briggs handed him a sword. As the grey-suited man walked out of the room, Marvin lifted Keira's limp body into his arms and placed her gently on the floor. He straightened out the bedsheets, wanting to leave no evidence of human activity, incase the recovery house was invaded.

Marvin lifted Keira again, placing her on his shoulders this time. He closed the door behind him and speed walked to the end of the hallway. In the dark, his hands felt around on the floor, searching for the loose carpet square. When found, he lifted it effortlessly. A metal door stood beneath him and in it was a small diamond shape hope that resembled the clespe stone. Marvin pulled a small object out of his pocket and placed it in the hole. A bright light spread from the hole until the whole door was illuminated. Marvin pushed the door open and climbed the stairs down into the dark room. When Keira was safe on the floor and his sword next to her, Marvin returned the carpet square, pulled a lever and the door closed itself above him.

Marvin sat down next to Keira and put her head in his lap. If she woke up soon, she should be somewhat comfortable. The vault was built for temporary hiding so not much was placed in the room to make space for as many bodies as possible. As time passed, Marvin began to wonder what time it was. Surely Mr Briggs would have sent for them by now, the situation couldn't be so dire, it was only A drill and the evacuation procedure only took a few minutes.

Keira's face started to glow. A loud thud sounded from above as it did. Something fell and was dragged. Another object was thrown and heavy footsteps caused the ground above to shake. This wasn't a drill, it was an actual attack. Marvin stood up and dragged Keira's body to the edge of the wall. He lay her down and got his sword ready. The door was impossible to open without a key but he had to be ready anyway. The footsteps and noises did not stop, whoever or whatever it was, had a mission and they would not stop until they completed it. The thudding continued, with noises of objects being broken and thrown around.

Keira's body surged off the ground and into the ceiling. Her limp body hit the ceiling softly, arms dangling beside her and head falling to one side. Marvin moved towards her slowly, afraid she would turn into a creature and attack. The chosen one was said to have hidden power and abilities.

"Keira?"

She was silent. All noise came to an eery halt and the girl's limp body continued to float in the air for a few seconds. When the footsteps continued her body dropped. Marvin practically flew across the tiny room to catch her. The way she was positioned would make the fall fatal. When she was safely in his arms, Marvin shook Keira. Keira groaned but did not stir. Marvin shook his head and sunk down into a sitting position. How tired could she be that she would not wake up? Her scratched face and bruised neck didn't look like they would allow for sleep.

When she had run into him a few hours earlier, she looked like she had been tied to a hathogilar and dragged through bushes of thorns. Red welts in the form of fingers protruded from her neck. Someone had tried to strangle her. Marvin decided that the pain is what was keeping her asleep, it couldn't be anything else. The footsteps faded away, leaving Marvin and Keira in the dark. Whatever was out there, it had some way to identify Keira because of her glowing face. Marvin sighed in relief. If he had chosen to ignore it as a drill, he could be dead and Keira gone.

The silence could mean two things. The predator was waiting, or had gone to look elsewhere. There was no guarantee that they were safe and Keira needed attention as soon as possible.

Marvin hoped that someone would come to their rescue soon. He couldn't stay in the room forever, his claustrophobia would get to him and would make him delirious. He was already feeling jumpy and breathless.