The Nemesis Syndrome

32. Leo

What must have been in the liquid that she was breathing? That she was swallowing? To make her forget everything they had gone through, everything she was?

Leo tugged on Eliza's hand to make her go faster, he could feel fatigue creeping up on him – that was from Eliza. Some part of him was glad that he felt her again. It gave him the reassurance he needed to know that she was alive. That she was with him. But with that fatigue, came the fear. The fear she had of not knowing him, the fear she felt when she was with him. It had lessened when she saw the man, but now they were alone again, running for their lives, it crept back up.

Leo forced it back, pausing as he pushed through another door.

A control room.

Finally, Leo thought with relief.

He whipped his head around, shutting the door behind him as he glanced at the rows of buttons on the wall. Leo glanced at the numerous screens, finally finding one of a garage. He glanced at the number under the monitor: 12.

Leo glanced at the wall of buttons and switches, finding the row of buttons under the number.

"Eliza, could you find a map, or a blueprint, please?"

When she didn't respond, Leo turned to look at her, where she was looking at a screen intensively.

"Eliza." Leo repeated.

She looked at him this time, and she nodded before turning around to look for one.

Leo stared at the switches, before turning them off one by one, seeing what each did. Lights. Door. Another door. Exit. Camera.

Leo flicked the switch to the camera and the switch to the door and exit off. They were going to break the hell out of this place.

"Hey," Eliza called.

Leo turned to look at her and thanked her before taking the blueprint from her and marking a path to the garage.

"They're nearly through the door."

Leo glanced at Eliza and nodded, opening the door before glancing back at her.

"I get this might be weird for you, Eliza, and I know you don't trust me. But, please, can you take that leap of faith this one time?" Leo asked, stretching out his hand.

Eliza glanced at his hand and nodded before walking past him. With a dejected sigh, Leo let the door shut behind him before jogging down the corridor to their freedom.

____________

Leo glanced around at the series of cars. He had never learnt to drive a car, he figured that if he survived the Pit, then he would learn.

A glint of black caught his eyes, tucked away in the corner.

Eliza was puffing behind him and he let her catch her breath as he stepped towards it.

"We -" she struggled for breath, "we can't take them."

"Why not?" Leo asked, head whipping around as he searched for the keys to the motorcycle. Now those, he knew how to ride.

"It's a crime!"

"So is experimenting and torturing unwilling volunteers," Leo replied calmly, trying not to get frustrated as he dug through a drawer.

"But – but –"

"Yes!" Leo raised the key triumphantly in his hand, "Come on, let's go."

"No –" A shot of fear ran up him.