Lego House

xxv. Help

They're being careful not to run through Pyllagement, but rather running around the city in order not to result in any civilian casualties. It helps that they're entering the city at night, rather than in broad daylight. The lights to Maust's gigantic laboratory, if it could be called that, are shining brightly into its dark surroundings. It's definitely not difficult to find. Rose repeats like a mantra in her head and sometimes out loud, "We're not too late," in a way on convincing herself.

She grows increasingly more and more anxious, light-headed and frightened as they run closer to the building. Everyone looks around at each other, and nod. The groups split, surrounding the huge building's gates. She's shaking, regardless of the boiling hot weather. Michael grabs her hand, and Paul the other. They're all afraid. She can feel it. She steadies herself, closing her eyes and willing the people she loves to be okay. "We're not too late," she says.

The biggest part of this plan is getting all of the landmines deactivated. They surround the building. An extra precaution after the gigantic gate. If it can even be called that. A gate just sounds friendly. Like it's Rose's neighbour's house. But it's hardly that sort of gate. It's a circular slab of concrete surrounding the building. Past the twenty or so foot tall slab of concrete, rows and rows of landmines. There is one safe path after climbing the 'fence'.

One that only Pyllagement soldiers allowed to enter past the gates know. And they also don't have to climb the concrete slab. Hence the groups of three. "So, who wants to climb up, who wants to grab the stones and who wants to stand guard?" Paul says.

"I'll stand guard," Rose offers, knowing she would land that job anyway. Michael will want to pass stones and Paul will definitely want to climb the slab. Not only because how off.

"I'll grab stones. Or rocks. Or anything that will set landmines off."

"Maybe we have the safe path," Rose says, half-joking. Her joke falls limp. They're all too tense to laugh. Even Rose herself doesn't laugh, though lately she's found herself being the one lightening conversations and situations.

"Maybe," Michael replies, his voice quiet. Paul, however, is already climbing the slab. Rose glances to the two groups beside them. One third of their groups have also started to climb. On one side of them, Tommy is climbing and on the other is an ex-Lyndon soldier, who has muscles like tennis balls on his almost stick arms.

Now, although the 'gate' is made of a concrete slab, it isn't particularly difficult for climbing, Rose realises. The concrete has been wearing over the years, and has cracks through it, perfect for fitting hands and feet through, making it like rock climbing. However, without the safety. Or the security. Heck, some parts of the wall might not even have ridges and cracks through it.

Rose looks over at Michael, tearing her gaze from Paul, who doesn't seem to be struggling at all. Michael is tucking large stones into the pockets of his pants. "So close, yet so far," Rose manages with a slight laugh.

"Yeah," Michael agrees half-heartedly.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay," she says quietly. He nods, holding one rock in his hand. Paul is at the top of the slab, sitting on it. He nods curtly at them, a mere silhouette against the bright lights from the building. Michael exhales loudly. "You ready?"

"What if I miss?" he asks, worried.

"Then you have tons of other stones." This calms him down. He throws the first stone. It falls short. He's shaking. "Hey, when we get in there. It'll be fine. We have heaps of us."

"They'll know we're coming. And from one entrance, damn it." Rose has the same worries, she realises, but she doesn't want them pulling her down. He throws another rock. Then another. Then another. The sixth, Paul just manages to grab, he ditches it downwards and is almost blown backward due to the sheer force of the blast. Rose's hands immediately fly to her ears. They're not at the safe zone. Following this blast is a string of others.