A Great Leap (First Draft) - Outer Realms Book 1

Chapter 23

Mikayla listened to the chatter on the radio, picturing the movements of the of the officers she heard in her mind as they swept the building and collected the remaining hostages. Dominic watched the sleeping form of Gary, his brow furrowed with deep thought.

"Sergeant Wallis," came the voice of Sergeant Gannon over the radio, "We collected everyone you marked for us. Everyone's safe and sound as far as we can tell. You can bring your man out now."

Mikayla looked at Gary, the rictus snarl of the monstrous half of his face twitching as he breathed. "We've got him contained for the moment but we don't want him to hurt himself before we can get him properly dealt with. We're picking him up around the back to minimise exposure to any upsetting stimulus and keep him calm. Best keep everyone away. As soon as he's loaded we'll head off and get him checked out properly."

"You have any idea what set him off?"

"We can make a couple of guesses but he's been unwell for a long time so it really could have been anything. We've got things covered though. You can focus on the civilians but we really appreciate your help with this."

"Alright. We're transferring the patients and collecting info from everyone else then we'll send them on their way."

Dominic stood and moved to stand over Gary and a few moments later Joel returned.

"We need to be quick," Dominic said, "His heart rate picked up a bit. Might be coming around soon. Could one of of you get his legs?"

Between Dominic's superhuman senses and the conversations heard on the radio, Dominic and Joel were able to drag the limp, deformed and rank smelling Gary through the halls without being seen. MIkayla lead the way, looking around corners just to be certain but they reached the back door and hefted Gary uncerimously into the caged rear of the police vehicle.

"We need move him as quickly as possible," Mikayla said, "Joel, you and Dominic take Gary. I'll follow you in the car. You really think Cameron can fix this before anyone notices we have him in your office? I'm sure he's good but he won't have long before people start asking questions."

"He's had the spores of fungus or whatever it is that Garry left on Rhys and Nick. That's a bit of a head start. Can't say for sure though. I'll call him on the way."

"Can we can figure it out when we have Garry somewhere safer?" Joel asked, his eyes darting to the back of the wagon.

Mikayla nodded. "Fair point. Joel, shoot him with another tranq before you go."

Mikayla checked in briefly with Sergeant Ganon before she got in the car and waited for Joel. She tried to relax but as she drove, Mikayla found a tightness building between her shoulder blades when ever her attention wandered. She kept close to the cage-backed vehicle, images of the all the things that could go wrong rising to the front of her mind unbidden, nightmare scenarios of the monstrous Gary breaking loose and rampaging through crowded street to terrorise the unsuspecting public.

It was with some surprise and a great deal of relief that Mikayla found herself turning into the driveway of the PID office.

"He's started stirring," Dominic said as they all got out of the their cars, "We should be quick."

Joel unlocked the cage and the scent of decay was released to wash over Mikayla once more. Cameron came out and the four of them carried Gary as gently as they could into the office.

"Hallway," Dominic said, "First door on the left."

Mikayla suspected the cell had started its life a storage room but the door was thick and reinforced, and the walls were padded. She noticed the gleam of metal forming a rectangle the corner of one of the walls at knee height. Mikayla was pulled from her inspection by a twitch running through the leg she was hold.