Dark Angel (A 001 prequel story)

15 - Terry

Finally one morning Rose found her courage.
She was going to test if her suspicions were right.
She just couldn't know how things were going to degenerate.

After a quick breakfast, she left the corridors she was accustomed with and went down to the reception room, just one step from the front doors.
Nobody seemed alarmed from her intentions. Nobody stopped her and questioned her.

As hoped, she found Jason patrolling the reception room.
"What are you doing down here?" he welcomed her with a big smile that didn't hide his surprise.
"I just wanted to wish you a good day" she used her best, charming smile "And I was wondering if you could do me a favor".
"Anything. You know you can ask me anything" he said without a second thought.
Great. Now I feel like a true paranoid. She said to herself.
She sighed dramatically "I miss the world outside. Do you think I'm allowed to just have a little walk outside? I just want to walk on grass and feel the sun and the wind on my face for a while. You can stay with me all the time".
He blinked but didn't react badly at her request "I think there's nothing wrong with it. Have you asker Dr Brenner? You know that nobody out there is supposed to see you".
"He's been too busy in these days. And to be honest, I fear he would say no" she pouted a little.
"I think he will understand. You're not a prisoner. We are just trying to protect you".
His words comforted her "I know that. And I'm grateful".
He smiled sheepishly and turned to check a group of women who just entered.
"Excuse me?" he asked to one of them "Ma'am, can I see your badge?".
It all happened so fast and unexpectedly.
The woman turned and aimed a gun at him "Stay back, STAY BACK!".
Before anyone could react, she fired.
Like in slow motion, Rose watched where the bullet disappeared into Jason's body, below his neck.
He looked so surprised too. Blood erupted from the hole, soaking his uniform. And then his legs gave up.
Rose was to shocked to move and help him.
The woman talked to her "You work here".
Rose lifted her eyes and stared at the woman and at the gun pointed at her.
She held her breath, desperately wishing that she hadn't discussed with Peter, that she had just kissed him and gave him everything.
Now she just saw her happiest memories with him flashing before her shocked eyes.
The stranger hesitated, then quickly grabbed her arm "Come with me".
People around them were shouting and running.
Rose felt the cold kiss of the gun against her temple as the woman pushed her through the corridors.

"Where's Jane?".
"Who?" Rose asked, looking around, looking for help as the alarm started blaring.
"My girl. Seven years old. She's here. I'm sure".
"Eleven" Rose understood "Upstairs. Rainbow room".
"Show me" the woman pushed her and used her as a human shield, discouraging the people they met to intervene.
Rose took her card and opened the restricted area.
"Rainbow" the woman whispered spotting the room and hurrying towards it.
Finally Rose spotted Peter, standing in the corridor with his hands raised, his wide eyes meeting hers.
She begged that he wouldn't do anything silly. Her heart was aching for Jason. It couldn't bear another loss.
The woman let her go as she ran to the door and opened it.
"Jane?" she called, then her voice softened "Jane...".
She lowered her guard, giving enough time for the security guards to sprint to her, take her gun away and drag her away from the children.
"NO!" the woman screamed struggling against the hands restraining her "NO! She's my child! NO!".
Rose watched her disappear and winced when other hands grabbed her.
"Rose? Are you alright? Are you injured?" Peter asked worriedly forcing her to look at him.
She realized she was sobbing.
She wrapped her arms around him, unwilling to ever let him go again.
"No. I don't think so. Who was that?" she asked turning her head to where the woman disappeared.
"I don't know" Peter murmured.
She let him go just to see his face.
"She broke into that room calling a child Jane. Was she the mother of one of the children? Eleven?".
She felt pure horror. That woman had come with a gun, shot at Jason and threatened her as well. But if she was a child's mother. If her child had been kidnapped...