The Last Colony

Part 41

Mark forced his eyes open. His mind was groggy, and his eyes took a minute to adjust to the light. He was still in Amy's room, but the room had changed a little. There was more medical stuff around the bed now. Beside him was a metal stand holding a clear bag of liquid that was hooked up to his arm. Mark jerked his arm in the restraint, but his arm felt heavy and weak. Every movement wore him out. They were drugging him to keep him docile. Mark tried to look for a clock, but the room didn't appear to have one. He did notice that the window was open. Stiffening, he tried to recall if they had done that or someone else. A soft squeak came from the floorboards, causing Mark's heart to start racing. He prayed that something bad hadn't gotten in. He couldn't even lean over the bed to look. He could hear something moving and resorted to laying still. The sound grew louder, before a figure popped up beside the bed. Mark jerked in the restraints, his heart leaping from his chest to jump out the window. Mari flicked her long hair off her shoulder, wincing as she whispered out. "Oops. Sorry."

Mark mumbled through the gag in his mouth. Only making Mari shush him before saying discreetly. "We'll talk later. Let me get you out." Mari grabbed his wrist, looking over the cuff a minute. Mark didn't see how she was going to get him out. Not when Amy had the keys to these somewhere. Mari ran a hand through her hair, pulling a hair pin from somewhere over her ear. At Mark's stunned look, she chuckled out softly. "What? Kenny taught me... Long story." Mark watched the door, while she worked. As she worked, she uttered out to him. "I've been trying to wake you for hours. Spencer knocked you out good... I had to hide when he came back. Right now, we should have an hour or two before he gets back." The cuff popped open and Mari wasted no time going down to his ankle. Flexing his wrist, he stiffly reached over to carefully pull the syringe from his arm. Once it was out, he reached for the dog collar around his neck. Finding the latch, he released it and quickly pulled his gag down.

Tossing the collar away, he rushed out to Mari in a strained voice. "Mari, I need your help." Mari finished popping his ankle cuff, stating out bluntly. "Duh, what do you think I'm doing?" Mark shook his head, sitting up a bit as he said groggily. "No. Mari, listen. Kenny could be in danger." Mari froze in her work to ask with concern. "What do you mean?" Mark rubbed his throbbing temples, telling her gently. "I didn't escape... I was sent here. They were going to hurt Sean... So, I was supposed to infect the colony." Mari shrugged, going back to work as she said coolly. "You're not infected. They would have seen it when they-" Mark shook his head, blurting out. "The gnome, Mari! It was carrying EpiPens with the virus." Mari stopped working, straightening up as she asked a little hurt. "What...?" Mark panted a little to match his racing heart as he told her honestly. "I wasn't going to go through with it... But Amy found them and took them. Mari, if you don't find them... Something bad is going to happen here and your brother-" Mari backed up, glancing at the window as she finished for him. "Kenny..."

Mark nodded, telling her seriously. "Mari, leave me here and go." Mari shook her head, saying nervously. "I can't do it alone. I don't know what to look for..." Mark coughed, then told her quickly. "You know what EpiPens look like, right?" She nodded. Mark nodded in return, telling her coolly. "Good. Take them all if you have too. Just don't let anyone use them. You'll be able to get in... They'll notice me." Mari hesitated, before pulling the hair pin out and handing it to him. Taking it, Mark pointed to his backpack and told her. "Take that. Just in case. Just be careful." Mari adjusted her katana, taking the backpack as she asked him uneasily. "Mark?" Mark looked at her and she nervously chuckled out to him to break the tension. "I told you so." Mark chuckled lightly, replying as he rolled his eyes. "Good luck." Mari flashed him a smile, telling him as she went to the window. "Don't worry, Mark. If I run into Kenny, I'll send him your way. I won't leave you behind." Mark waved her out and she carefully peeked outside. When it was clear, she swung herself out and left him. Mark tugged on his cuff and tried to figure out how to pick the lock.