Code: 16B

Chapter Twenty-Two

Twenty-Two

    He stood there, dressed in black from head to toe, and for a moment, I thought that he’s a minion, sent by Victor to kill me. Though I’d never seen one lurking around here, it could be a possibility. He carefully pulled off what looked like a ski mask, and I see him, smiling in relief at the sight of me in a way that I knew.

    I knew who he is.

    “Cyrus!” I squealed with relief as I stood up, and wrapped my arms around him with the intention of never letting go. I could feel his arms around me, and I knew that I would be safe.

   “We got to get you out of here.” Cyrus whispered in my ear.

    “What about Missy?” I asked, the panic and worry slowly making itself present in my tone.

    “Violet and Garrett will get her to safety, and hopefully they’ll erase her memory about this whole incident.” He answered, still in a whisper.

    I looked up at him, and I was so happy to see him I placed both of my hands on either side of his face, and brought his face down to mine. As our lips met, I felt really better, knowing that this kiss would somehow make me forget that I should hate him.  He kissed me back with urgency, but I don’t do anything about it.

    “Get a room you two.” I hear an identical voice say, and it was enough to get us to stop. Abigail stood there, also dressed in black with her hair up in a ponytail, looking annoyed of having to see a make out session right in front of her nose. “We have a job to do, remember?” she asked with a crooked smile.

    “I’m coming.” Cyrus said, and Abigail bounded off. Then, Cyrus turned his attention back to me. “Amanda, we’re going to get you out of here, and I can tell you that it’ll be dangerous. Just stay close to me, and you’ll be safe.” He said as he disentangled himself from me, keeping only my hand in his.

    “How are we going to get out of here?” I asked as he began to lead me out of the cell, and strangely, he gave Gramps a look, which causes me to ask, “How do you know Gramps?”

    “I’ll explain later, and I do have a plan.” He simply said as he basically pulled me down the hall, towards the door he supposedly came from.

    “What if there’s a guard out there?” I blurted before my brain could make my mouth shut up.

     He just laughed as he opened the door, and I see a big, buff man lying on the ground. “What guard?” he asked sarcastically, but with  sly smile.

    “Never mind.” I mumbled immediately, my worry already turning towards the guard, and I had no idea if he’s knocked unconscious, or worse.

    And when Cyrus turned to see my expression he simply said, “Don’t worry, he’s just been drugged.”

    “Oh.”

     “Let’s go.” He said as we began running down the hall.

    It seemed like forever, as we were running through the semi-dark halls, I thought we were running through a maze the entire time. Though Cyrus had some kind of GPS navigator in his hand, I began to wonder if we were lost. We tried not to attract much attention, but whenever we did, Cyrus would shoot what he called sleeping darts at the guard (or guards) who’s spotted us.

    We were up on a balcony, overlooking what looked like the main foyer, with too many witnesses down below.

    “We’re going have to split up.” He said as he pulled out what looked like a nine millimeter gun out of a holder that was wrapped around his shin, under his black pants.

    “Split up?” I blurted worriedly, unsure if I could handle being without him again.

    “It’s the only way.” He answered firmly as he cocked the gun, and handed it over to me. “Take it.” He said after shoving it into my hands.

    “I…I…I don’t know if I…” I stuttered as I held the gun carefully in my hands, desperate not to hold it the way I’ve seen many actors do on TV, and in the movies.

    “Don’t worry, just go right, and I’ll go left. We’ll meet in the middle, and hopefully that door down there,” he pointed at a door with a window that revealed light, “will be the exit. You got it?”

    I nodded, fearing that my voice will crack.

    “Good.” He said before he kissed me once more. I just lived in that moment of that kiss, because what if the plan goes awry? What if one of us doesn’t make it out alive? I tried to ignore the annoying and worrying questions as Cyrus pulled away, and began to head left.

    After counting to ten, I swallowed my pride, gripped the gun as tight as I could, and began to go in the opposite direction Cyrus went.

    As I walked down the hall, I felt as if everything has been set in slow motion, and I could feel that my entire body is drenched in sweat. The gun is clenched in both of my hands, and yes, it’s held properly with both hands.

    I tried to be as quiet, and as fast as possible without using the gun. I was almost to the door that is what we believe is the exit, when I felt something grab me from behind.

    I began kicking, screaming, anything I could do to get this person behind me to let me go. But it wasn’t long until I felt a hard and painful pinch on my shoulder.

    “Aw crap!” I muttered as my eyes began to droop, and everything went black.