“Think about it. Who’s gonna pay any attention to a drunk? I’m not a threat.”
“Huh, never thought about that,” Cole says. “I must admit, we’re very lucky to have you.”
“I appreciate that. I’ve always wanted to be some kind of hero.” He stumbles to the table and pulls the drawings in front of himself. “Okay. So check this out: guards are positioned here and here.” He points them out. “At shift change, they rotate this way, and then some go for a joyride, if you catch my drift.” His voice drones on, and Bruno and Cole soak it all in.
“Okay, so say everything goes as planned, and we get the records,” Cole says. “Then what? How’re we getting them out? And how many files are we taking?”
“Let me worry about that,” Roméo says, entering the room. “But I’ll need time to go through them. If we don’t get the right ones, it won’t matter to the United Powers. Even though I’ve documented Amber’s course with the virus, they’ll want more. Without proof that there are and were others, they’ll step back. I must acquire the most accurate information possible, so the United Powers can see the full scope of what’s happening here.”
“And you’re sure telling them what you know won’t be enough? I mean, we will back you up,” Grace says.
“I wish it could be that simple. Only hard-core proof will open their eyes to the danger here. They like to stay neutral unless given a very solid reason to intervene. Besides, no one will believe the word of a Sinner whose father was killed by the current regime, two ex-guards with an axe to grind, a drunk, and a woman who … I’m sorry. What do you do again?”
“Okay, okay. We get it. No need to insult the people keeping you alive,” Bruno says. “Back to the files. How will we carry them out?”
“How about a backpack?” I ask.
“That should work just fine,” Roméo says.
“I’ll carry it. The drunk guy, remember?” Bill says.
“What about me?” Grace asks, her voice eager. “What can I do?”
I flash her a pleading look. I worry she’s taking on too much, risking too much. But she shrugs me off. I want to make an excuse for her, but I don’t get the chance.
“I could use your help going through the files,” Roméo says.
“Oh, that’s perfect,” she says. “Just tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll do my best.”
“I can give cover or lead,” I say. “I know my way around the hospital and Sutton’s office.”
“All right; that’s all settled,” Bruno says. His hand slaps the table, and his voice turns monotone. “After we get these files, our next course of action will be to get them out of the Hole with Roméo and Bill.” He stares at Grace, lingering on her face for a while before turning to the rest of us. “Once we make it back here safely, we’ll work on the escape plan.” He exhales.
“We got this,” Cole says.
I’m more than awake now. I scoot forward, pushing myself up to stand, and look over the drawings on the table. I examine the rough diagrams they made of the hospital and training center. I see the entrance to the basement they’re talking about, and it gives me chills. It’s the exact area where some of the guards cornered me months ago and Cole and Zeus came and rescued me before they could finish what they’d started. Thank God.
“This plan, it’s going to work,” I say, not making eye contact with Cole. “No matter what happens, our main objective is the get the records out of the Hole.” I glance quickly at Cole, noticing his clenched fists. “Even if it means lives lost.” He opens his mouth and then closes it.
“So I guess it’s ’til death do we all part,” Bruno says with a laugh. Grace shoots him a look. He wraps his arm around her, pulling her body closer to his.
“Okay, guys, it’s time for the fun part,” Bill says.
I raise an eyebrow in his direction. “Which is?”
“Stocking the weapons. But I have to clean all the ammo first to ensure our guns don’t jam, because a jammed gun isn’t gonna do us any good.” He swigs his bottle and tries to shove it back in his pants. He misses three times before getting it in.
“When will you sleep?” Grace asks.
“Sleep is so overrated,” he says. “I prefer catnaps.” He shrugs and walks toward the closet where the weapons are stored.
“I’ll stock the food and water,” Grace says.
“Want me to come with you?” I ask.
“No, sweetie,” she says and then winks. “Bill needs your help, not me.”
I know what it’s like inside the hospital. Aside from being on top of the most heavily armed training center, it’s probably going to be dark, and those long hallways and patient rooms could hold anything. So I hope the weapons we have are sufficient for the task.