Cynophobia

☠₁₂☠

 It wasn't until after dark that we met up. We went into an abandoned tunnel for our meetings. It had caved in while they were trying to widen it. We had Loki keep guard. We were careful that what we said didn't echo through the cave either, that would be a good way to become Cynoid bait.

"Ray is still gone," Rose whimpered. Her leg was propped up against a stalagmite.

"He's strong, plus he has new gear on him. He should be fine," Cairo said. He was trying to sound confident but I could tell he was unconvinced.

I looked past Loki into the main cave. The elevator team was still waiting by the rope. "Vincent told me that Ray actually wanted to be a Crasher. I didn't get much time to talk to him thanks to James."

"That doesn't really sound like Ray. If he's a Crasher we won't be able to see him as much. We are so close to the hangar. We could be there in a week if we hurry. I've been working out an escape plan," Cairo said. "Just have to work out a few kinks."

"Like what?" I asked staring into his brown eyes.

"We can't all go on the elevator at the same time, it will look to suspicious," he said. "But I've already spoke to Ivy, she promised to not rat on us. She told me the route to avoid any cameras."

"How about the garage? It leads out to a forest north of here," I suggested.

He nodded off. "Could work, but we also need to stock up on supplies. They took our meat."

"I can hunt along the way, we just need your back packs and water," Loki barked quietly from the entrance.

"We're going to have to run all night. Vincent won't be to happy if I leave," I whispered.

"Yeah, he sticks to you like glue. It doesn't help that you sleep in his cabin, he will know you're gone," Cairo said bitterly.

I thought for a moment. "I could tell him that I wanted to spend the night with Rose and help her function with her leg."

"No can do, I'm being discharged tomorrow. The medicine is working so well that I can already walk without pain," Rose sighed. "Maybe we can bunk together? Where do Ivy and Ash sleep?"

"Ivy has a room attached to the security room," Cairo said.

"Ash told me she sleeps in James' cabin. All of the job leaders get their own," I responded. "Rose, what's your job going to be?"

"I've been learning a lot from Doctor Williams lately, he offered to let me become a nurse," she replied. "But I don't know where I will be staying."

"Me and Ray are in the teen cabin," Cairo said. "We can figure the rest of this out when Ray gets back."

It was about midnight when we heard the rusty squeak of the elevator pulley system. We saw the elevator team walking slowly towards the end of the shaft, bringing it down. I jumped up, hoping I would see Ray. Dr. W was standing outside of the hospital, ready to take anyone in urgent need.

The elevator was now visible in the cave. Two Crashers were on the floor of the elevator. It looked like on of them had an injured arm, the other was applying pressure to it. I couldn't make out the two, I just hoped it wasn't Ray who was injured.

Dr. W raced forward. When the elevator stopped, all of the Crashers stood aside. I finally saw Ray, he was the guy putting pressure on the arm. One guy grabbed the injured's legs, the other carried him by the back. They bee-lined for the hospital, a trail of blood following them.