Three Hearts Left Intact

Chapter 90: Change Of Plan

Finally all in safety Mallix had set Lain down on her own feet while he used this time wisely to lower his racing heart rate. Alex and his contact were both eagerly trying to catch their breathes while Lain looked tenderly around the room they were now in.

As everyone else was focusing on their breathing, she wandered around. It looked to be a small office. A plastic chair and pathetic wooden desk was all that occupied it, along with an electric fan which everyone else was fighting over. She couldn't help but chuckle at them.

Finally as Alex's contact caught their breathe they looked over at their watch noticing they had wasted yet another ten minutes in that mess. Thankfully they still had more than enough time to get Kaila, before getting out of this place.

"What...what now?" Alex asked coughing from how heavy he was breathing. This was not the way he was anticipating this trip to go—him hunched over a small fan eagerly taking in whatever air he could find.

At this point Alex's contact finally noticed both men had forgotten a crucial component back in the kitchen. "You're masks are gone." They pointed out making both Mallix and Alex groan in annoyance. They were so focused on escaping the room they hadn't even noticed their masks were still on the floor from when they desperately needed air.

"Is it that bad?" Lain chimed in seeing how upset both men were over the simple mistake.

"If you consider us needing their identities to be hidden to get the next step done bad, then yes it was bad." The voice sarcastically said behind their distortion.

Lain just looked down sorry she asked. When Mallix took a seat in the uncomfortable plastic seat, she didn't hesitate to move closer. If there was one thing this place had made her realize, was that her small family meant everything to her. And even through all the abuse she had to deal with nothing broke her spirit.

That was one of her strengths. She knew what her morals were and absolutely nothing stood a chance in changing her mind about it. And one of her strongest beliefs was that family comes above all else. Finally having her husband back was already more than she could've asked for, but to have her little girl back in her arms safe and cared for would be everything.

"So what happens next since they lost their masks?" Lain asked again to the unfamiliar presence. She was hesitant about them but knew if both Mallix and Alex trusted them, then so did she.

Pacing back a forth for a second the figure paused holding their finger up with an idea. "Alright, we know Kaila is waiting down in department five. Since the original plan was to have us three block...her..." they pointed towards Lain as they hesitantly thought about what to call her. The woman of the group just shrugged it off and continued listening, "...from anyone wandering that department. But because you guys left your masks back in the kitchen we're going to have to take a detour."

Mallix stopped them before they had a chance to get further as he pulled Lain down onto his lap missing his wife's touch. It wasn't long before they were comfortably seated together while they worked through this minor step back in their plan. "Detour? What kind of detour?"

"Well in order for us to get to D5 we have to go through D4." They said without thinking. When Mallix felt Lain sink into his lap he knew something was up. "There's a supply closet with helmets. We can stop by there on our way and pick you guys up some new ones."

"Wouldn't it just make sense if we went back to grab them from the kitchen?" Alex asked finally having his breathe back.

"If you want to go back and grab yours then be my guest. But don't be surprised when the place is swarming with Hounds."

That silenced Alex as he scratched the back of his neck embarrassed he asked.

"Then it's settled well quickly grab new gear and then we're getting Kaila, and while we're at it Lain could just get her own mask." Mallix noted as he kissed Lain's cheek before standing them both up.

Alex took a moment digging into his pocket and lifted out Zander's note. He held the precious letter in his hand reminding himself of the contents inside. It gave him all the strength he need to make sure they got this done right.

Seeing as they only spent a few minutes in here the unknown figure was glad they had not lost much time, but was upset knowing that they were going to be cutting it close for time. "Alright let's go." They grabbed the handle as Alex put his note away and Mallix already had Lain back in his arms.

Swinging the door open the small trio of friends followed closely behind their guide as they maneuvered their way to a set of double doors. Once scanned in and the dark maroon walls surrounded them Lain couldn't suppress an unnerving feeling in her gut. She hated this place and with good reason.

She didn't want to worry Mallix so she kept her constant worries to herself about this place. Right now she just wanted them to quickly get what they need and be on their way.

With the distraction from earlier in level three, all Hounds had been reported there to help secure all the lose patients. Seeing the large swarm of them back at the kitchen meant their little distraction didn't last nearly as long as they had hoped. It wouldn't be much longer before this place was swarming with Hounds again. "This way!" The distorted voice directed them through the labyrinth.

After another minute of nonstop running Lain couldn't help but notice the walls around her. There were large bulk doors all lining them. Looking at the numbers she felt a cold front freeze her down to the core as she passed room 102. Mallix was in too much of a rush trying to keep up to the others he hadn't noticed Lain's discomfort.

"Do you hear that?" Their guide stopped as a harsh rough voice questioned from another hall.

Stopping everyone they quickly led them down a separate path taking a different route than intended. When they heard another voice in the distant they hurried and rushed everyone to their detour destination.

When they were all finally coming up to the room their was a lot of commotion going on behind them. Quickly unlocking the door with a key everyone ran in.

"As much as I hate ducking into these different side rooms all the time, I do enjoy getting to take a quick breather." Alex chuckled feeling lightheaded.

Mallix placed Lain down mistaking her slightly shaken up body to the feeling of adrenaline. "Here." Mallix heard Alex call out to him as he tossed over a new helmet. With a coat hanger filled with exactly two more the men were more than grateful. "Sorry Lain, guess we're back to the original plan." She simply shrugged off the minor detail.

"Now to get Kaila." Mallix said confidently.
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Let me know what you guys thinks going to happen. Thanks Lexx signing off