Finding Humanity: Book 3 in the Saving Humanity Series

CHAPTER 21

Caleb held his breath as he stared into the space before him. Visions of hundreds of RBZs flooding the area ran through is mind. The space wasn't large enough to accommodate that many creatures, but that didn't stop Caleb's imagination from running wild. He felt trapped, vulnerable. They wouldn't be able to escape if RBZs found them. Their plan was to find Dr. Maudas or Samuel, and use them as a bargaining chip. It was their only hope. They were grossly outnumbered.

Even if the two RBZs at the entrance were the only creatures here, they'd still be outnumbered. But Caleb knew there were more—lots more. He swallowed hard, and scanned the area again. They had to be close. There had to be another cave around here, somewhere. When he was at the other lab, the first cave that had held the RBZs had been slightly hidden, so this one probably was, too. The only way to find it was to walk the entire area, but there wasn't time for that—and it would alert the others that Matt and Caleb had snuck in. He had to assume they would get to the doctor or Samuel before the RBZs found them.

You're going to die in here. Those creatures are going to find you and tear you limb from limb.

Caleb sucked in the sides of his cheeks and bit them hard enough to feel it, but not hard enough to draw blood. He was fully aware how risky—and stupid—it was to be in here, but he had to find Jan.

He felt a gentle tapping on his arm and turned toward Matt. The captain pointed toward the cave entrance, then hung his hand in the air and made the walking motion with his index and middle fingers. Caleb inhaled a silent, shaky, breath, then nodded. This moment had to come sooner or later. Best to get it over with.

They stood slowly, then crept toward the entrance, moving cautiously so they didn't disrupt the silence. Caleb's heart fluttered against his ribs, and he took in small breaths through his nose to stay as quiet as possible. They were right around the corner from the opening when Matt pointed to the goggles. Caleb slid them from his eyes. They would be useless, even in the dim light of the tunnel. After taking a deep breath and checking to make sure the coast was clear, the pair stepped into the mountain.

The cave was one-third the size of the lab Caleb had first set foot in. There were some computers and lab equipment, but it wasn't as advanced as the other set up. Caleb and Matt's backs were pressed against the walls, which was a pretty useless action because they were incredibly conspicuous. There was no hiding in the tunnel.

A slick sheen of sweat covered Caleb's palms, and it hurt his chest to take in air. Every muscle in his body tensed. If someone touched him, he'd shoot in the opposite direction. He tried to calm himself, but he also had to stay on guard and ready for whatever came his way.

Nothing moved in the lab, which didn't set Caleb's mind at ease. The sooner they found Dr. Maudas or Samuel or Jan, the sooner this ordeal would be over. They stopped at the entrance to the lab and scanned the area. There was only one other door, so that narrowed down their options. That didn't comfort Caleb, either. With limited entrances, that meant limited exits. Caleb had thought about, and planned for, that reality, but it was one thing to imagine it and another to experience it. The full weight of the situation settled on him. He would see it through, though. He owed Jan.

Caleb caught Matt's gaze and gestured with his eyes toward the door. Matt followed his gaze, then turned back to Caleb and nodded. Caleb prepared to step out, but hesitated. His first inclination was to sneak across the room, but that seem pointless and silly. No one knew they were there. If there had been motion sensors or cameras, they would have been spotted by now, and surrounded by RBZs. They could walk freely, and that was what Caleb intended to do. He nodded once at Matt before stepping toward the door.

The door opened up into a living space. There was a sitting room before them, and two doors to the left that Caleb assumed led to sleeping quarters. The door on the right opened up into a kitchen. He could only see part of the counters and a fridge. The soft sounds of silverware scraping on plates came from there, and Caleb pointed at the door. Matt nodded and pulled his gun out of his holster.

Caleb still didn't feel any need to burst into the room. They had the element of surprise on their side, no matter what, so he stepped into the room like he owned the place. Matt stepped in next to him and raised his gun.

Dr. Maudas sat at the head of a short, stainless steel table. The stools weren't fastened to the ground like they had been in the other lab, but they were the same material, and looked incredibly uncomfortable. Memories of having dinner with Maudas ran through his mind and tightened his stomach. To Maudas' right sat Samuel. He was still incredibly pale, but upright. His bruises had started to fade, the edges fuzzy and beginning to yellow. To Samuel's right was Jan. Across the table from her sat Ophelia.

Relief flooded through Caleb as his gaze fell on her. Tears burned his eyes. After walking through the quarry, he had assumed the worst. He'd figured her body was part of the charred mess. Knowing she had escaped the inferno released the guilt and sadness he'd been holding onto. He wanted to rush forward and hug her. He wanted to do the same to Jan, too. Part of him had been prepared to find her dead, but now that he had found her alive, he felt worlds lighter.

The clatter of a fork hitting a plate pulled Caleb's gaze from Ophelia. Dr. Maudas' eyes widened, Caleb was sure it wasn't because of the gun Matt held, though. The others at the table turned their gaze to where the doctor stared, and all of their eyes grew wide, as well. A small smile touched Jan's lips.

Dr. Maudas regained his composure and cleared his throat. "I have to say, I didn't think I would see you standing at the end of my table, again, Caleb."

Anger surged through Caleb. "Why? Because I was supposed to die in the fire you set?"

Dr. Maudas inclined his head. Leave it to the doctor not to mince words. His straightforward, condescending attitude was one of the things that made Caleb despise him so much. The list only grew longer after that. Caleb balled his hands into fists and had to physically stop himself from running across the room and attacking the old man.

"You continue to surprise me, Caleb." Dr. Maudas folded his hands over the top of his plate.

Caleb's face scrunched. "I don't really give a damn if I surprise or impress you. You tried to kill me." His words came out much louder than he'd intended, but Dr. Maudas didn't flinch. Instead, he looked annoyed that Caleb would be upset about the situation.

"What do you think you're going to do?" His gaze drifted to Matt. "One whistle and you'll be surrounded by RBZs." His gaze slid back to Caleb.

"And then Samuel's brains will be splattered on the wall and your turtleneck," Caleb snarled.

Samuel straightened in his seat.

Dr. Maudas clicked his tongue. "How far do you think you'll get, even if I do release your friends, here?"

Caleb opened his mouth to reply, but before he had a chance, Ophelia moved sideways on her chair. Dr. Maudas slid forward. He had to untwine his fingers to keep his face from landing in his food. As he did, Ophelia spun from her stool and positioned herself behind the man.

At the same time, Jan slid into Samuel, practically knocking him out of his chair. She also sprang to her feet and moved behind Samuel.

It was at that moment that Caleb realized both Jan and Ophelia had restraints on their wrists and ankles. They moved cautiously but purposely, and had Dr. Maudas and Samuel under control. Ophelia clapped her hand over the doctor's mouth so he couldn't whistle. Samuel required less maintenance, and it looked like Jan was doing most of the work to keep him on his feet.

Caleb's body relaxed and a sense of pride flooded through him. He had always had a suspicion that Jan and Ophelia could take care of themselves, and he had been right. They'd seen an opportunity for freedom, and they'd taken it. He felt proud, knowing these girls were on his team. His fists unclenched and a smile pulled up the corner of his lips. "Oh, I have a feeling we'll make it pretty far."

Dr. Maudas' eyes narrowed. Matt lowered his gun, and Caleb's smile grew wider.