Salvage

Fourteen - Part 2

She saw the backs of two men, wearing all black combat wear, marching a little distance away from each other down a narrow hallway. They looked to be patrolling up and down the corridor. There was one more guard stationed near the center of the hall, but he was looking away from the door at the moment. Aurora's eyes quickly darted around the cell doors. They looked thicker, reinforced, not broken down old metal bars like hers had been. There were little windows peering into white cells, but she couldn't see the occupants.

Wait. There, a face she recognized. Daniel, in the cell nearest to her on the right. He was peering out sharply, back and forth, before his dark eyes landed on her. Relief at a familiar face poured through her, and she quickly assessed the door. She'd been right about the key card. Those guards were approaching the opposite end of the hallway. She'd have to be fast. She made eye contact with Daniel and held up the card, making sure he understood.

Then, with a last deep breath, she tensed her legs underneath her and pushed herself forward, allowing the door to swing open wider. Without looking at the guards, she flung herself towards Daniel's cell and slid the keycard through the slot. Adrenaline once more steadied her shaking hands and she focused on the red light above the locking mechanism, every second seeming to last an eternity until it clicked, and switched to green.

With a savage, almost rabid roar, Daniel's form hurtled against the door, his narrow frame surprisingly strong as the door swept open with a loud bang, and he tumbled out, narrowly avoiding Aurora and rolling to his feet, eyes wild. As he spotted the guard standing in the middle of the hall, just now turning to see what the noise was, he launched himself forward. With so little care for his own safety, the momentum picked up the guard and they both slammed hard against the wall. Aurora ignored their struggle, focusing instead on the two guards at the end. They were drawing their tasers now, and turning to rush towards Daniel.

Her mind clicked into slow motion once more. Open more doors or help Daniel? He'd get overwhelmed. The decision was made for her when Daniel's voice came out hoarse, harsh.

"I'll take care of them. Get Adam and Cece, get them out of here. We'll be fine."

Aurora turned, eyes wide, and saw the guard crumpled on the ground. Daniel had snatched the taser from him and was holding it at the ready, facing down the two guards.

No time to consider the moral ramifications. Course decided, Aurora rushed down the hallway, twisting her head from side to side to see the occupants. Most of them were kids she recognized, had played games with last night, and pain twisted in her gut. Cimorene's words echoed in her head once more.

"I can't take them all," she muttered, and paused outside the third cell on the left. Adam was there at the window now, staring out, face and hands pressed to the glass.

She rushed to the door and slid her key card through, waiting for the click and opening it. It had only been seconds, but already she heard grunts of pain from Daniel, and thudding impacts. Adam pushed through past her and without a word ran to help Daniel, and Aurora turned to continue searching the cells. Time for one more. It wasn't practical to take Cece. She was too small and would slow them down. She couldn't leave her, though.

"Crap." Aurora turned and lunged for the nearest door with a familiar face. Chinook pushed her way free and twisted around wildly.

"Daniel! Are you okay?" Chinook rushed down the hall to where Daniel now stood panting, leaning against the wall over the body of a guard, while Adam was landing a last solid punch on the face of the other one.

Daniel drew in a ragged breath and wiped blood from his grinning mouth. "Great." Then the smile died and he looked at Aurora. "You gotta get out of here."