Into Ruin

Chapter 20 Exit Strategy

Quinton's palms hadn't stopped sweating all night. He finally gave up on sleep, grabbed a cup of coffee, and sat up near the surveillance monitors. Everyone was sleeping as he should have been.

Keeping the knowledge that someone had recognized Gunnar to himself was risky, but on the other hand would Olivia have reacted differently? He was their little wonder boy and few questioned his decisions. Matt found out about Gunnar's sister but hadn't said anything either, but Quinton had to admit, this secret was worse.

It would be fine, Quinton kept telling himself. Gunnar could handle this, just like he handled everything else and they'd be out of here by the end of today. Given Matt's strange report on possible chemical weapons, and a few rumors of brutal underground combat training Nate had come across, everyone was itching to leave. Judging by the constant surveillance and questions from Rorke and the other guards, they too looked forward to the departure.

Leaving would bring him back to Mischa. There wasn't a hell of a lot left to look forward in this world. If Gunnar kept his promise and put in a good word with Mischa, it could go a long way. Since running into Gunnar the first time, she'd changed. It was like her mind was always somewhere else and she and Quinton didn't connect like they used to.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Quinton's shoulders slumped. Of course, she would be up too, the cause of the other half of his stress.

"This place doesn't sit right with me."

Olivia nodded and readjusted her loose-fitting top. "I'll be giving the orders shortly to retreat."

Quinton turned away and grimaced. "That's great." He quickly added, "But don't you think an evening switch would be less suspicious? They're less likely to be noticed by other insomniacs like us."

"A minute ago you were ready to leave."

"I'd rather leave on my own terms than being chased by their security team, even if a handful of them are on our side." He was afraid that Olivia's stare would see right through him. But soon she was looking off in the distance again.

"We've already arranged for Amelia to switch out this morning. The rest can switch as you said in the evening. Did you sleep enough, you seem jumpy?"

"It's the coffee, really gets to me when I drink it."

Olivia nodded and yawned. "I'm going to talk to Yuri. Are you okay watching over everything?"

Quinton nodded and watched her leave them room. He needed to warn Gunnar to get his personal issues resolved today or he'd be on his own. Unashamed to wake the main source of all this stress, Quinton blared a message through Gunnar's earpiece. The guy jumped up and lunged out of bed with a knife. He had issues. He looked around for a moment before his eyes locked on the ear bud. Slowly, he inserted it into his ear.

"What's wrong?"

"Olivia wants you out, tonight. Finish up what you need to do."

"Could'ya stall her?"

"I already have."

Gunnar's end went silent but Quinton could see him pacing in his room. "Alright, this evening, got it. Thanks. Anything else?"

"No."

Gunnar took out the earpiece and crawled back in bed. It was unfair that he got to sleep while Quinton's guilt kept him from rest.

A message popped up on the screen 'Have you returned to the Dark side?'

Quinton smiled. Navjot could be more helpful in this matter. 'Only temporarily.'