Our conversation was interrupted by insistent rattling at the door to the lab.

Someone was trying to get in.

Thank goodness for Sabeece's paranoia!

Bang, bang.

"Is," An authoritative voice called out between knocks. Bang.

"There," Bang.

"Anyone," Doorknob rattle.

"In there?" Bang, bang, bang.

"What do we do?!?" Astrid whispered urgently, wide eyes standing out from a face drained of color.

"Just stay quiet," Quodis directed, "They'll probably just go away if we don't answer."

Bang, Bang.

"We know you're in there - the 'Research in Progress' sign is on. Come out slowly, with your hands where I can see them."

"Sorry!" Sabeece mouthed, wincing.

So much for Sabeece's foresight. That light turned into a beacon announcing our presence. Given how early it was, this lab was probably one of the only ones occupied.

"Just a moment!" Astrid called out loudly toward the door.

"No. Open the door now! Enforcers, let us in!"

Enforcers? HERE?!? How did they find me?

We could see the silhouettes of at least three of them through the frosted glass. The one who had been doing all the talking was at the front, fist still raised from banging on the door.

"My hands are dirty. Just let me take off my gloves and I'll be right there," Astrid stalled again, scanning each of our faces in turn for any hint how to proceed.

Astrid whispered urgently, "The door is reinforced, they won't be able to get in without an authorized print, but I can't stall forever!"

"OPEN UP!" the deep voice insisted.

We heard a more distant voice call out, "Get the Head Researcher - we need their print to open this door now!"

So much for stalling.

I turned to ask Sabeece if our biosigns were still being blocked by the stream of projected mental minutia, but was pinned against a lab bench before I could get a word out.

"You led them right to us!" Sabeece growled menacingly at the Medic, getting between the two of us while brandishing a scalpel like a dagger.

Where did THAT come from?

"You're working for them, aren't you! I can't believe we fell for your stories about following them to Grayce's house and 'conveniently' bumping into us! You've been stalling this whole time, leading them here!"

"Sabs, calm down! Check Quo's memories! I'm sure the Medic's not helping them!" I struggled to get between the two of them, but Sabeece's free arm kept me pinned protectively away from Quodis.

I have few enough friends, I can't afford for them to be tearing into one another!

Nearly tripping backwards in haste to get away from the ferocious Counselor and makeshift weapon, Quodis spluttered, "Yes, Grayce is right! Good thinking, Grayce! Only..."

"The wristband!" Astrid chimed in, having succeeded where I had failed and managed to come between the stunned Medic and enraged Counselor.

Unfortunately, Astrid's conciliatory gesture, palms out toward each of the sparring partners did nothing to deter the Counselor. Sabeece continued to glare at the Medic over the Youngling's head. 

"Put down the knife, Counselor," Astrid pleaded. "Remember your commitment that no one would get hurt?"

Seeming not to hear the Youngling, Sabeece continued "A convenient excuse! How perfect! You planned this whole thing out, didn't you?! You can't let me scan you, since it would instantly allow any other Counselor in the area to know all about our conversation and our exact location!"  Sabeece continued to advance, brandishing the makeshift dagger around Astid, swiping recklessly at the Medic.

"Sabs! Watch out for As--" I called out a moment too late, as the Counselor sliced the Youngling's palm. The thinnest of red lines appeared along the path traced by the razor-sharp scalpel. Blood pooled at the bottom of the wrist before the first glistening drops dripped to the once immaculate laboratory floor.

Astrid winced and shuddered, but remained firm with arms extended between the two of them, never breaking eye contact with the oncoming Counselor.

If Astrid's pain hadn't gotten through to Sabeece, the stoicism and determination to keep them from hurting one another appeared to. The chastened Counselor lowered the offending implement.

Sabeece's other arm went limp simultaneously, finally allowing me to get away from the lab bench at my back. I delicately removed the scalpel from the hand of the now unresistant Counselor, dropping it unceremoniously into a sink built into the counter-top. I flinched at the jarring noise it made rattling to the bottom of the sink.

I completely forgot about the Enforcers outside the lab door. They'd been quiet throughout this commotion. I glanced up at the doors to the lab, but couldn't see their silhouettes any longer.

How much of this exchange did the Enforcers overhear? What would they make of all this?

Quodis interrupted my worrying, pleading to Sabeece, "Let me prove I'm not helping them, please?" Quodis turned to me for support.

"I trust you, Quo," I nodded and gave my best attempt at a smile under the circumstances.

"I guess it's your call," Sabeece replied, deflated.

"Not like we have much choice at this point, huh?" Came the Counselor's resigned thought.

"No time to lose then," said the Medic, efficiently taking charge. "Astrid, I assume your print will unlock the back door to the lab?"

The Youngling nodded weakly, without looking up.

Of course! There would have to be another exit from a lab of this size! I felt a ray of hope that I might just get out of there alive.

To the rest of us, Quodis continued, "Do exactly as I say and hurry. Sabecce - get lab coats for everyone and find something to cover Grayce's face - goggles, a mask, anything. We have to assume they have some idea of their fugitive's appearance. Grayce - help get everyone dressed and make sure you're as unrecognizable as possible."

The Medic's training in emergency situations was coming in hand. As if by habit, Quodis had reached for some nearby cloths to stem the bleeding, before pausing to consider.

"Astrid, I hate to do this to you," Quodis said, propping the patient against the closest waist-high lab bench instead of wrapping the wound. "But, I'm going to let this bleed a bit longer. You have to trust me."

Astrid acquiesced, entranced by the bright blood already streaking the Youngling's lab coat and shoes.

I'm not a Medic, but I hope Quo knows what's best. Astrid seems to be going into shock.

Sabeece returned in a matter of ticks with three lab coats, which we immediately began putting on. There were also various goggles, a couple of yellow paper dust masks.

Best of all, Sabeece had found a reflective full-face shield. Quo explained, while securely strapping it onto me, that it was used to protect the eyes and skin from damage by the strong lights researchers used to detect fluorescent samples.

I look ridiculous! But at least I can see through the grey tint. There aren't may other options in the lab.

Quo began to lift Astrid up, when Sabeece intervened, slinging the Youngling's thin arm over a shoulder. I wondered if Sabeece's insistence on carrying Astrid was out of guilt for causing the injury or continued distrust of the Medic.

As we made our way to the small back door, I heard quick, heavy footsteps outside the big main doors to the lab.

Time to go!

"Stay behind the Counselor, Grayce," Quodis advised, voice slightly muffled from behind one of the masks. "Follow closely, and don't say or do anything to attract attention."

More attention than the giant mirrored column strapped to my head is already going to attract? I'll do what I can.

Maybe it's best that those around me can't hear my thoughts. My sarcasm might not win me any popularity contests.

Sabeece helped Astrid raise a palm to the scanner. The blank back of the Youngling's hand was a stark reminder me of what we shared in common as un-Bonded, even though I wasn't really a Youngling anymore.

As we shuffled quietly out the back door of the lab, the sound of the main doors unlocking reached us.

We breathed a collected sigh of relief as the back door closed with a quiet click. We made it out without being seen.

"The back door was out of sight from the front of the lab, so we should have a bit of lead on the Enforcers behind us," Sabeece whispered reassuringly to me.

Turning around, I found myself staring straight up into the stern face of what could only be... an Enforcer!

~*~*~

Author's note: July 19, 2018

Out of the kettle and into the fire. Our poor heroes can't catch a break, can they?

How will they deal with the next Enforcer? Stay tuned and remember to ⭐️ 😉