He wiped the envelope opener clean and returned it to his pocket then quickly removed the mans gun from the holster and placed it in his pocket as he stood up and walked to the door, cracking it open just enough to look out. He saw Dale comforting Ronda. And Jake, standing helplessly with his hands tied behind him. Curiously, there was no sign of Maynard. He stepped out, quietly, still no trace of Maynard and his men. Then hurrying towards Jake knowing there was little time before Maynard showed up, he pulled the envelope opener from his pocket and struggled to cut the tape around Jake’s hands. Dale looked up.
“Lets go!” the Professor said. Taking Ronda’s hand Dale pulled her to her feet and proceeded to follow Jake and the professor. Jake hurried ahead of them, just making it passed Maynard before he stepped back into the lab.
“Put the gun down Professor!” Maynard said, as three of his men stood by his side, two of them aiming their weapons. Professor Bierce lowered the gun. “I’ll take that.” Maynard said, taking the gun from his hand and handing it to one of his men. “Clever, Professor. I never would have expected such a cunning ploy from you. Feeling a bit dizzy are we.” Maynard said, sarcastically. “Victor, tie them up.” he ordered. “Except her. Roger, take her to back of the lab. It looks like I’ll have to take care of the matter myself after all.” he said, as he noticed Jake missing from the group. Where’s Holloway? Quick, Simon, search the building! He won’t get away. For your information people, the security system has all main doors on lock down. If you attempt to escape you’ll find there’s no way out, unless you know the code. Which you don’t. So I suggest you put leaving out of your minds. Now, let’s get on with this. Enough time has been spared as it is, and I’m losing my patience.”
Furious at the thought of Maynard so much as touching Ronda, Dale flew into a rage, and as Victor began tying the rope around his hands, Dale pulled them forward in a fury, spun around and slammed his fist into the left side of Victor’s face, causing him to lose his balance. Then another slam to the right, this time knocking him to the ground. And quick to grab Victor’s gun, Dale turned and lunged at Maynard before he could make a move, flinging his arm around his neck, and putting him in a choke hold with the gun at his temple.
Ronda winched, as Roger squeezed his arm tightly around her neck.
“Let him go!” Roger demanded, “One wrong move and she snaps like a pretzel.” Then he slowly reached an arm behind, and pulled a gun from his holster, and held it to her head. Dale held the gun steady at Maynard’s head as he glanced behind Roger.
“Drop it!” Roger could feel the barrel of a gun against the back of his head. “Now!” Jake said, having turned back after hearing Maynard’s voice, realizing the others had been caught. Roger hesitated, then he slowly lowered his gun, as the Professor took possession of it.
“I see you managed to find yourself a gun.” Professor Bierce said.
“Yeah, you could say one of Maynard’s men gave it to me. With a little persuasion.”
“I’m sure that wasn’t pretty.” the professor replied as he handed Ronda the gun that was held to her head just a moment earlier, then retrieved the gun that was taken from him.
Jake grabbed the tape and tied Rogers hands and feet before taping his mouth shut, then dragged him into the small office, shortly to be found by Simon who was currently lying unconscious at the back of the building near the stairwell, minus his gun.
Noticing a clipboard on the desk with several papers, Jake picked it up and looked through them, flipping one page after the other till he saw a contract for the Professor to sign over the data chip to Maynard. He stepped out with the papers in hand and stared at Maynard, his eyes intent.
“This here, is nothing less than coercion!” he said.
“Don’t be ridiculous, surely you don’t believe I was actually going to have him sign a contract. Do you actually believe I’m going to let any you go once the data chip is in my hands?”
“I figured as much.” Professor Bierce said. “Although judging from the position you’re in now, it looks like you can just forget about the data chip.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure Professor. My men are throughout the building, they can easily overtake the three of you. No question about her.”
“You had the chance to kill any of us if that was your intent.” Dale said. What do want with us Maynard?”
“I’ll keep you alive only for as long as I need you.”
“Need us? For what?”
“Testing of course. How else can I perform the experiments necessary once I have the research data. You see, I just so happen to have a shortage of donors, and human skin cells and such at the moment. Perhaps a brain or two.” He said sarcastically.
“You’re deranged Maynard.” Professor Bierce said, grabbing his arm with force. “And you’re going to be our guide out of here. And once we’re out, I think it’s high time the police are involved. Let them lock you up and throw away the keys. From here on your days of research are over Maynard. I fear to imagine what heinous crimes you’ve committed in the name of science. Your a thief, and a murderer, and a shame to the science community.”
“Heinous Professor? The pot calling the kettle black? Don’t be a fool Professor. You have too much at stake. ”
“Are you suggesting I stay and be your guinea pig.”
“Perhaps we can come to a compromise. We can work together. There’s no telling what we can accomplish if we put our minds together Professor.”
“No chance of that ever happening. I’m willing to pay the consequences for anything I’ve done. Whatever it takes to put you away, now move!” he said, holding the back of Maynard’s shirt as he pushed him forward. “And if you take us into a trap I’ll shoot you on the spot — and call it self defense.” he mimicked.
Maynard led them through another lab and down an open pathway with several cubicles where Cummings suddenly appeared, catching everyone off guard and giving Maynard an advantage as he jabbed his elbow hard into the Professor’s rib. And suddenly crouching forward in pain he let go of the gun, Maynard retrieving it as it fell.
“Get down!” Dale, shouted as he aimed his gun. Jake instantly threw himself in front of Ronda, bringing her to the floor. Dale fired at Maynard twice, missing both times. Maynard fired, and missing his target shot Cummings in the back. Ronda screamed in terror, while Maynard ran and ducked out of sight. Cummings fell to the floor. Turning his head towards Professor Bierce he stretched out his arm. Ducking, the Professor went and knelled beside him. Cummings breathing was shallow as he tried to speak.
“Thomas.” he said, his voice cracking. Bierce leaned closer to hear him. “Forgive me” Now gasping for air, “if only I could take it all back.” He turned and looked at Ronda. “I’m sorry,” he said with his last breath, then his head fell to the side. The floor where he lay was now covered in a puddle of blood. Professor Bierce placed his hand over Cummings eyes, closing them while Ronda stared at Cummings with a sense of foreboding.
“Father we have to go!” Dale warned, as Jake grabbed Ronda’s hand and pulled her to her feet. The Professor looked down at Cummings, “be at peace.” he said, then followed Dale and Ronda down a long hallway, with Jake leading the way as a shot was fired from somewhere in the distance .
Finding their way into one of the cubicles they waited, and listened, and when all was silent they ran till they reached the end of the hallway. “This way!” Jake said. Following his lead they made their way to the back of the building. When they reached the exit, Jake tried pulling open the large metal door.
“Give me a hand!” Together he and the Professor pushed at the door, as Dale watched for Maynard, with gun in hand. He turned around.
“Watch out!” he said, aiming the gun at the latch and fired. The sound of the bullet against the metal was loud, alerting Maynard to their location. Dale kicked the door. It didn’t budge.
“We’re open bait standing here.” The professor said. “There’s got to be a door somewhere in this place tha
t leads out.”
“It’s no use if we don’t know the code.” Dale said.
“There’s a stairwell at the back of the building leading to the roof.” Jake said.
“They’re close on our trail,” the professor said, “if the door is locked like the others we’ll be cornered. On the other hand, is it a main door? Should we chance it?”
“Our chances of getting out are as good there, as anywhere in this god forsaken place.” Jake said. “If we’re lucky it’s not a main door. And there should be a fire escape where we can make our way down.” Jake said. “What do you say?”
They could hear the echo of footsteps getting closer,
“I say I’m feeling lucky.” the Professor said.
“Lets do it!” Jake said.
Dale grabbed Ronda’s hand and ran towards the stairwell with Jake and the Professor close behind.
As Maynard and his men got nearer he could hear them making their way up the stairwell to the roof.
“After them! Whatever you do, don’t shoot the girl.” Maynard ordered as the two men, ran to the stairs, one after the other.
After three long flights up they reached the roof, and Dale slammed the heavy door shut behind them and bolted the latch.
“I’m glad you were feeling lucky,” Jake said, as he and the others tried to catch their breath.
It was mid evening now, and the sun was almost set. Dale took Ronda by the arm, and ran to the fire escape. Looking over, they saw nothing in sight but a couple of worn down warehouses that surrounded the building.
“It’s clear!” Dale shouted, turning back at Jake and the Professor “Lets go!”
Two shots were fired from the other side of the door.
Jake stopped and turned to the Professor.
“Let’s finish this.” Jake said, then they quickly turned on their heels and ran back to the door, as Maynard’s men tried to kick their way through.
“Here!” Dale said handing Ronda the gun. Take this, don’t hesitate to use it if you have to. When you reach the bottom keep your eyes open. The first hiding place you see go there, and wait. Just stay out of sight.”
“What about you? I’m not going without you!”
“It’s okay,” he said, turning his head back quickly, distracted by Maynard’s men kicking at the door. If we don’t try to stop them now we might as well turn ourselves over to Maynard and be nothing more than lab mice to him. Now hurry!” Ronda climbed over and down the fire escape as quickly as she could.
18
The Get away
After making the five foot jump from the bottom of the treads onto the ground, Ronda found herself in open view. Spotting a white Van parked near she ran to it, and approaching it with caution she looked inside. It was empty. Scanning the area she saw a large bin just a few feet from the Van situated on the side of the building, where she could easily squeeze behind it and stay out of site while keeping her eyes on the roof. She had found her hiding place.
Wedging herself behind the bin, the stench of sulfur, and other chemicals enveloped her as she ducked farther back upon hearing footsteps approach. She could hear Maynard giving orders as they came nearer.“No one is to get away. If you have too, shoot, but spare the girl. She’s no good to me dead. They’ll have to come down sooner or later, if we don’t manage to get to them first.” Maynard stated angrily as he hurried into the building.
Roger and Simon walked the perimeter of the building as another approached the Van, opened the door and pulled out a half pack of cigarette’s. He shut the door and she watched as he pulled a lighter from his pocket and lit a cigarette. Waiting quietly for him to move on, she was barely breathing. And after the second hit from his cigarette he walked into the back exit door out of sight. Ronda sighed, and not a minute later gun shots echoed through the air. “Dale!” she gasped under her breath as her head shot up towards the roof. She instantly covered her mouth, praying she hadn’t been heard.
After Dale had helped Ronda over the fire escape, he joined Jake and Professor Bierce as they waited with their backs flat against the wall. One on either side of the door as the men kicked with force, loosening the latch.
Suddenly the door flung open! Seeing no one in sight, they paused. And as one stepped cautiously out onto the roof, he was just as soon lying on the ground unconscious from the butt of the gun that Jake cocked him over head with. The other quickly fired a shot from the doorway, barely missing Dale as he flung to the ground and rolled over to the man laying unconscious, grabbing his gun as the man fired another shot. On his back, with arms aiming straight ahead Dale fired, shooting the man in the chest. Stumbling back he went rolling down the stairwell, stopping halfway.
“Let’s go!” Jake ordered, “Hurry!”
Afraid Dale had been hurt, Ronda could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she kept her eyes on the fire escape. Relieved when she saw Jake climb over with Dale and professor Bierce following after him. Now anxious to run to them, she paused suddenly, when the man with the cigarette came running out of the building flicking it to the side as he ran to the fire escape. An other came running out from the exit door along with Maynard, as Simon and Roger came running from around the building. With everyone gathering around the fire escape, Ronda inconspicuously made her way out from her hiding place and hid behind the Van.
“Drop your guns!” Maynard shouted as they descended. They looked down to see Maynard and his men with guns aimed and ready to shoot. Reluctantly, Dale was the first to throw down his weapon. Once on the ground Maynard’s men surrounded them at gun point.
“Where’s the girl?” Maynard demanded.
“She’s gone.” Dale said, relieved that she made it without being seen. “She got away.”
“Fuck me!“Maynard shouted angrily, kicking the drain pipe on the wall. Turned around and kicked it again with more force, bending the pipe.
“Mike, Roger” he demanded, “take the car, and cover the area. If she’s out there she couldn’t have gotten far on foot, it’s all open area around here. She shouldn’t be difficult to locate. Cover the entire grounds. Move!!” he shouted, now furious.
“Simon, Victor, take them inside and tie them up.” he said. “Separate them, and gag them. They’ll speak when they’re ready to tell me what I want to know. Perhaps a little encouragement will help.”
“You could just kill me right here.” Dale said, “I’ll never tell you where to find her.”
“Of course you won’t.” Maynard said. “That’s why I’ve chosen the Professor to be first. And you’ll have the privilege of watching.”
“Your a dead man Maynard!” Dale said.
“From the look of things,“ Maynard stated sternly, “I’d say your in no position to be making threats now are you? Shut him up for now.” he ordered. Before Dale could open his mouth, Roger delivered a heavy blow to the right side of his face. Dale flinched and immediately felt a blow to his ribs, and another to the jaw.
“Enough!”Professor Bierce shouted angrily, quickly stepping forward as Maynard pulled him back just as quickly.
“Now now Professor, it seems your son has quite a temperament. A little discipline goes a long way. Apparently something he had little of as a child I assume.”
Watching, as Roger went after Dale relentlessly, Ronda stepped forward away from the Van and ran several feet closer to the side wall. Ducking lower to the ground on bended knees to remain out of sight, poking her head around the corner. And along with the Professor, she was helpless to do anything but watch, and wait till it was over. Roger let up when Maynard gave the word, which was after a few more blows and a knee jab to his forehead sending Dale over on his back.
“That’ll do.” Maynard said. Now walking up to Dale, “You were saying?” he smirked, as Dale lay on his back holding his side, blood oozing from the tear on hos lower lip, and his head reeling. “Perhaps you won’t be so quick to open your mouth next time you have the urge spew threats. And keep in mind, this is nothing compared to wha
t’s in store for your father.” Maynard mocked, provoking Dale. Daring him.
Professor Bierce was livid as he watched Maynard, who suddenly turned to him.
“You Professor, could have made it easy for everyone. All you had to do was perform one simple task.” Maynard chided.
Professor Bierce looked at Maynard and said calmly,
“Then what? You go on in your sick little world and pretend this never happened. Pretend you didn’t destroy a young woman’s life!”
“Destroy her life you say. You might want to retract that statement. If it weren’t for you and Holloway after all, none of this would have come to be, would it? Besides, I’m a scientist Bierce as you are. You know better than anybody what it’s all about. Why we do what we do. When it comes to our research it’s all or nothing. You do what you have to do. Who knows that better than you and I ?”
Professor Bierce shook his head slowly. And with disdain in his voice he said,
“The difference between you and a man of science, is a man of science has integrity. You, you’re nothing but an evil heartless bastard.”
“Please Professor,” Maynard retorted callously. “spare me the insults. I’m not the one who begged you to take what humanness remained of my daughter and make her into some facsimile. Granted I don’t have a daughter, or any children for that matter. But if she were my daughter I can assure you, for her sake, I would have let her die with what dignity remained than turn her into what she is now. Which begs the question Professor — what by the way is she? Is there a scientific term for “it?” he asked mockingly. “Tell me Professor. The truth is, if you were honest with yourself Professor, you would admit she’s little more than a “robot.”
His words cut through Jake like a knife through his chest.
And in contrast to the anger growing inside Professor Bierce, he said calmly ,
“The truth is you haven’t a clue what you would do in that situation. You’ve never had a family of your own. And you’ll never know what it’s like to lose someone you love deeply. In fact I’m inclined to believe you’ve never loved at all. You’re a cold and heartless excuse of a human being. So deranged you don’t know how to love. Why if we were to measure the substance of being human by our capacity to love and feel compassion, the truth is, if you were to be honest with yourself Maynard you would admit that it’s “you” Joseph Maynard, who is little more than a “robot.” he said, mimicking his words. For even an animal has the capacity to love and feel compassion.”
Ronda Page 13