Reia- A Novella (COMPLETE)

Chapter 13

Morai leaned wearily up against the building just across the street from the experimental laboratory. There were guards all around the lab, standing at intervals on premises. Morai had been watching the lab for almost a half hour now, ever since he saw Ehkra walk out of it briskly, followed by over fifty guards. Just moments after she left, scientists came spilling out of the doors and charging into the streets in a blind panic. They were desperate to get home, to get somewhere safe. The scientists bolted for their cars or just kept running.

Some, however, charged the guards in the attempt of stealing a weapon. Those gallant few were stabbed where they stood, or concussed and sent sprawling with a heavy hand.

Morai didn't see Marfa or Hazira among the fleeing scientists. They had to be inside.

But try as he might, Morai couldn't figure out a way past the guards. The sun had set just a few minutes previous and dark was falling fast, but there were emergency lights on backup power all around the laboratory, so sneaking through the shadows wasn't an option. Nor could he hope to outfight any one of the extensively trained guards- and that wasn't even mentioning the risk of alerting the others. But after waiting and waiting in the dark, an opportunity presented itself when a swarm of people came flooding out of a nearby apartment building. Smoke was rising from several windows, and orange flames could already be seen through the glass.

A portion of the guards ran over to the building to find out what had happened, while the rest watched curiously.

Morai wasted no time. He leapt up and sprinted around the side of them. Just as they were turning back around, he dove into the landscaping bushes by the front door of the lab. At first glance through the window, there didn't seem to be any guards inside, so Morai crept forward, leapt up, and bolted into the lobby.

Morai's heart sunk- it was a mess. Potted plants were toppled, dead wires trailed across the ground, and more than a few bloodstains marked the lobby. The only light in the room shined through the windows, making squares of light on the floor. On one side of the room a woman was slumped up against a table, breathing shakily.

"Ma'am... what happened?" Morai asked quietly, walking up to her. He jumped back as the woman moved, looking up into the light. It was a soldier, though some of her armor was missing.

"Y...you need to get the hell out of Reia," she gasped, touching his stomach gingerly. When she removed her hand, it was stained with red. It seemed that the scientists had put up a fight after all.

"Why?" Morai asked, staying back. He felt he knew the answer.

"The Four are insane," she said, breathless. "...g...get out- as far away as you can... I hear... there are already people building settlements outside of the mountains."

"I can't," Morai said quietly. "I have to fix this."

"Take... my knife if you want, then," the guard breathed, dropping her weapon on the floor with an unnaturally loud clatter. "Best of luck... kid..."

She closed her eyes and slumped back against the table. Morai drew a shuddering breath, covering his mouth as he stepped away. The knife glinted evilly in the low light, and Morai couldn't bring himself touch it.

He steeled his nerves and had begun walking towards the stairs when a startled shout rent the silence.

"Morai?!" someone yelped. Morai spun around. Marfa was pressed up against the window of the office, looking absolutely deranged in the dim light.

"Marfa!" Morai gasped, running over. Marfa's labcoat was torn, his face bruised, and blood was dripping down his fingers. "Marfa! Are you alright?"