The Lockdown

Elena cracked the door of the supply closet. The hallway of the Old Wing was dark, lit only by the red emergency LEDs.

"Stay here," she ordered. "I need to get you antibiotics. Even with your healing, your body is fighting off infection from the debris."

"Elena, don't," Kael warned, standing up. "These men... they don't leave witnesses."

"I know this building better than they do," she said. "I’ll be right back."

She slipped out, moving silently through the construction zone. She reached the fire door connecting to the main hospital. Through the small window, she saw the lobby.

It was chaos. The triage nurse was arguing with two men in yellow hazmat suits. Behind them stood four men in tactical black gear, holding suppressed submachine guns.

One of the men in black raised his weapon and fired a single shot into the ceiling. The screams were instantaneous.

"Everyone on the floor!" the man shouted. "This is a federal containment operation. Anyone standing is considered infected and will be neutralized."

Elena ducked back, her heart hammering against her ribs. This wasn't a containment. It was a hunting party.

She needed help. She needed someone with authority to call the real police, or the FBI, or anyone who could stop this.

Dr. Aris.

His office was on the 4th floor, accessible via the service elevator. He had a secure landline.

Elena sprinted for the elevator.