(eng) Natalie Wright - H.A.L.F. 02 by The Makers

Author:The Makers [Makers, The]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

29

ERIKA

Erika’s lungs burned from lack of oxygen and her thighs throbbed from exertion as she jogged to keep up with Dr. Randall. He moves fast for an old guy. The wound on her left thigh burned, but it no longer hobbled her. There must be something in that goo that causes cuts to heal faster. She was glad Dr. Randall had taken it as well as the antiviral.

As they walked, Erika tried to shift her thinking about Tex. She’d convinced herself he was the enemy. Once her mind was made up about something, it generally stayed locked that way. Ever since they landed in the world of the Conexus, she’d assumed that Tex betrayed them.

But Xenos had shattered her ideas about him. Tex, too, was a prisoner of the Conexus. And it sounded like he could be in worse shape than they were. Maybe even dead by now. Guilt wound its way into her gut, making her feel sick inside.

Dr. Randall turned a corner and they entered a hallway that seemed familiar, even in the dark. It was like a memory plucked from a dream she’d had long ago.

They were in the H.A.L.F. wing. Above them was the opening for the gate that had come down from the ceiling and behind which Dr. Dolan had been shot down.

There were no flashing red lights or sirens whooping and wailing. There was only the musty dark. The hall was silent except for the hiss and sputter of water finding its way into the long-abandoned conduits.

Dr. Randall slowed his pace. The toes of Erika’s shoes were wet, and she squished as she walked. They were in no immediate danger of a deluge, but it was only a matter of time until the few inches of water on the floor became a few feet. “How do we know which door he’s behind?”

Dr. Randall didn’t immediately answer. At last he said, “We don’t. We’ll have to try them one by one.”

Erika counted to herself. “Eight doors, Doc. I don’t think we have enough torch canisters for all of them.”

Dr. Randall pulled the pack from his back and handed Erika a fresh canister. “Hopefully it’s not a dud.”

Erika shoved the fresh canister of chemical fire into the end of the torch. “Pick a door.”

Dr. Randall scanned the hallway but settled on the first door. He put his ear to it then called out, “H.A.L.F. – I mean, Tex?”

His voice echoed in the empty hallway. No one responded.

“The doors are thick. Even if he’s in there, he may not have heard you.”

“Or he may be unable to respond.”

“We’re running out of time, Doc. Pick a door and I’ll torch a hole.”

Dr. Randall stood silently in the middle of the hall with his eyes closed.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to think like a Conexus. Where would they put him?”

“Good luck with that.” With the torch in hand, Erika moved to the door closest to her and pushed the red button on the torch. The heat was so intense, it singed the hair on her hands, filling the air with the smell of burnt hair.

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