Infiltration

We could hear the people's complaints as we ran away from the room. The smoke bomb worked perfectly. We got out of the Church and approached a few guards gossiping near the entrance.

"Help! Something's happened at the trial room!" I told them.

The guards went running inside the Church. It was getting dark and we didn't have much time. The clock was ticking and I knew it would be the last time I step foot in the vicinity.

"Anita, you go and start a fire at the back of the Church. There's a shed there. It will be enough to produce thick smoke. Can you do that?" I asked her.

"Of course, leave it to me." She answered.

"After that, you have to get out immediately and wait for us in the car." Then, I turned to Philip. "Phil, it's time. We have to destroy the lab. The excursion was extended and there's no one there right now. I have your laptop." I passed my backpack to him. "Let's go."

Philip and I dashed to the orphanage. We entered the building. There was no one at the front desk. We made our way quietly – avoiding a few staff who were casually patrolling the building. We went inside a utility closet. Philip took out his computer.

"Okay. I'm in. What do you want me to do?" He asked.

"I need you to erase everything. We have to wipe out their entire research. Can you do that?"

"Yes. What about you? What are you planning to do?" He asked. His voice was filled with concern and warning. He obviously knew already what I was planning.

"I'm going down to the lab. I'll try to save everyone. Then, I'll destroy the facility. For good. Just give me fifteen, no, ten minutes." I said with conviction.

"I won't let you do that. It's dangerous." He said, holding my arm firmly.

"I'll be fine. I've memorized the layout and I'm pretty good at running." I said jokingly to lighten the mood. His eyes were still filled with concern. "There's no time for second thoughts. They'll know what we're doing and then it'll be too late." I freed my arm from his grip. "Trust me. I can do this."

I got out of the utility closet and made my way to the painting. I brought the walkie-talkie Anita provided. I wondered where she got those devices. Sneaking in, I felt like a burglar. I was almost there when I bumped into a nun.

"What are you—" She started asking, but a volunteer who I've seen some time ago came running.

"Fire! There's fire at the Church!" She sounded hysterical.

The two of them went running away. The nun forgot about me. Perfect timing. Then, I ran to where the painting was. I found the small symbol in the corner of the painting. It was a heart wrapped in thorns. I pushed the symbol and heard a click. I held the painting by the frame and pulled open the entrance to the lab. I went in. The hallway was rather dark. I took out the small flashlight Anita slipped into my pocket earlier. I made my way around the lab which layout was like a maze. It was a good thing I studied the blueprint, else I would've gotten lost. After a while, I reached the holding cells. It was even darker there. And it was quiet, too quiet. I walked really slowly. I could hear people breathing softly. I was passing by a cell when a hand suddenly appeared and tripped me over. I stumbled and fell on my face. Then, I heard them burst into laughter. I used the flashlight to see who did it. It was a woman, but she looked more like a monster than a human. Her hair was disheveled. She was covered in dirt. Her deep red eyes were piercing, and her fangs were showing. Her nails were long and black. Her skin was turning purple everywhere. I took a step back. Fear was starting to swallow me up.

Then I heard a low growl from behind me. I shone the flashlight to its source and saw a child. The little boy had the same deep red eyes and fangs. He was covered in cuts and bruises. He was smiling at me, but it wasn't a sweet bright smile. It was a smile that made my skin crawl and sent shivers down my spine. I walked to each cell to check on the others. They all started hissing and growling at me. It was too late. They had lost their humanity. They all turned into monsters already. The hissing and growling turned to screams and screeches. There was nothing more I could do for them. I placed a couple of explosives by the holding cells, and then proceeded with the plan. I planted a few more explosives throughout the lab. Sneaking out of the castle had definitely improved my stealth. I was able to avoid a few more staff and finally arrived at the center of the lab – where they do most of the experiments. I placed the explosives by the door and set the timer. I backed away and started running. I bumped into someone again.

"Who are you?!" He asked. Then, he grabbed my shirt collar. I kicked him in the groin and he fell on his knees. Then, I swung my backpack and hit him in the face. The guard fainted.

"Who's there?! What are you doing?!" More guards came running from behind me. I didn't waste a second and ran for my life. I heard a gunshot and saw the hole in the wall made by the bullet that missed my head by a small fraction. I took a turn and headed towards the staircase to the exit. The alarm sounded and filled the lab. I ran even faster. I had to get out. I tripped a few times and managed to get to the exit without major injuries. But my body was covered in cuts and scrapes, and I twisted my ankle. But I didn't feel any pain, yet. I rushed to the utility closet where Philip was hiding and opened it without hesitation. He was sitting in the same position as I left him.

"We have to get out of here." I announced. "Come on. We don't have much time!"

"But I'm not done yet. There are still a few data left." He said.

"It doesn't matter; we're blowing up the whole building."

"What?!" He was shocked.

"I already set off the timers. The explosives will go off in a few minutes. We need to leave. Now!" I commanded. He hurriedly got up and secured his laptop on the backpack. I grabbed his arm and pulled him to a run. We heard a few shouts behind us, but I didn't dare look back. We finally got out of the orphanage and ran across the wide front lawn. I turned to look to the direction of the Church. It was filled with thick, black smoke. Officials were getting out of the Church, while knights were running towards the burning shed.

"Krista! Let's go!" Philip said, extending his arm to me. I reached out my hand, and we ran to where Anita was waiting. We ran the two blocks to the car. Anita started the engine when we came in sight. I opened the backseat door and was about to get in when we heard the explosion. Then, we saw the thick smoke from where the orphanage was. Then another explosion. And another.

"Krista!" Anita woke me up from the daze. I quickly got in and closed the door. Finally, we drove off.

"So, where are we going?" Anita asked the important question that we never even thought of.

"I know a place. It's a very small village south of the city. It's very far from here, and it would take a few days drive. Will that be okay with you two?" Philip said.

"Of course. Anywhere is better than here." Anita said with a smile. But I knew deep down, she was saddened by the idea of not being able to return.

"I'm sorry, to both of you. We're going to lose our homes, our families. We're going to be alone." I said before bursting to tears.

"What are you talking about? There are three of us. You will never be alone. We'll stick together. Always." Philip said comfortingly. Though it didn't entirely erase the guilt I was feeling. Anita had to leave her family, her house and her job. Philip had the choice to fly back to his family, but still chose to stay and protect me. In the end, I was still a little child who needed care and protection.

"Alright. So, tell me how to get to our destination. Which road do we take?" Anita asked Philip.

"Okay. I'll be the navigator." Philip said in a light tone.

"Before that, I need to make one last stop." I told them.

"What? We can't afford to make a detour. They'll be coming after us." Anita said.

"It'll only be for a few minutes. Besides, they won't be coming after us for a while. They're probably still busy putting out the fire." I argued.

"Alright. Just for a few minutes. So, where to?"