Ryan tosses his legs over the edge of the bed, stretching off the exhaustion which always seems strongest after a short lived nap. Lisa turns to her son with a small giggle.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 RyanGood morning, mom.
She smiles knowing at least some things hadn’t changed. Ryan has always had a tendency to say good morning, regardless of the time; it is an odd quirk in him which people always seem to be confused by, but that never stopped his odd little tradition in the least.LisaA bit late for good mornings isn’t it?
The motel room seems silent aside of the robust voice of the anchor man on the channel 5 news. The lights are off, and only the flickering television allows them to see. Ryan suspects that this is what an insane asylum is like; little light, and only the odd voices of those who you could never talk with to fill your ears. An eerie feeling, he thinks to himself, as he looks around the room. Finally, his mother, who has been perched at the edge of the bed, breaks the silence once again.
Her face is blue from the glow of the television, and although it is still difficult to make out, Ryan can still tell she is worried.LisaHey, could you go and find us a map? And while you’re out, why not go get us some candy from the machine down the hall. There is money in my purse.
He waits for a moment, but his mother is in another world, lost in the words of the news man’s silver tongue.RyanSure, mom. Anything that you want in particular?
Ryan quietly shuts the door behind him. The sound echoes through the tiny room for a moment before it snaps Lisa back into reality.Ryan…I’ll just grab a peach juice for you then
She barely notices he has even gotten off the bed. She knows that they should have already left the motel, but it would soon be the 24 hour mark since the incident, and she is sure there would be some information on her husband. It had been about an hour already that she has been on her perch, listening for any news she could find, until she finally found something on the situation at hand.LisaYeah, peach juice would be…oh, you’re gone…
TV AnchorThere is new information regarding the car crash yesterday which involved LifeSource founder Adam Fields and his Wife. The two were critically harmed in the crash, presumably from a violent Protester, as the autopsy reports that the man was not drunk and did indeed have ties to the Protester community. Police say that the description of the man also fits the suspect who killed another LifeSource employee, George Caldwell, the day before…
Lisa’s eyes widen as she watches the reporter talk. She can't stop fidgeting; tapping her fingers against her knees, as they often do when she is nervous about something. Finally, he starts talking again.LisaCome on, talk about Adam.
TV Anchor…what makes this story shocking is that there are conflicting reports around the hospital over who actually died in the crash. It is clear, however, that at least one of the pair had been fatally injured but somehow there was confusion in the hospital. A majority of the staff claim that Lisa Fields, Adam Field’s wife, had died and was brought to a Regeneration Pod, but others, including Mr. Fields, who we are being told is currently being placed in a Holding Room, suggest otherwise.
Lisa shrieks in excitement; glad to know that Adam is still alive.LisaOh Thank God!
The sound of the news cast is shrouded by the noise of the door slamming behind her.TV AnchorAnd even the nurse who other witnesses claim had rushed him to the ER claims that Mr. Fields is the one who had died after the crash and was regenerated by his wife before a doctor had a chance to do so. We also have confirmation that the aforementioned nurse is a close friend of Mr. and Mrs. Fields. At one point before they could be question, Mrs. Fields had managed to leave the hospital and took her son, as seen by this security camera. Footage of the incident is unavailable as they were somehow shut down until Mrs. Fields and her son were leaving. They were said to be driving to go see Joe Tyler, a billionaire businessman who has tonnes of shares in LifeSource Technology and Pharmaceuticals and is Mrs. Fields’ father, when she was pulled over by two officers, who at the time…
His face is wrought with anxiety and concern of the situation at hand; often thinking to himself, “How long until they find us?” or “is dad okay?” He waits now for his mother’s voice to put an end to all his fears; and for the first time since they had left the hospital, it did just that.RyanAre they talking about us on the news?
Her face carries a resilient glow about it as she finally blurts out what she had heard.LisaYes, they are, but your father is alive!
Lisa and Ryan are both interrupted by the news caster.RyanThat’s great! But…what about us?
TV Anchor… The two officers state that the man who had knocked them out was dressed in black clothing and wore a black hood. We have taken the time to list a few possible scenarios of how this situation unfolded in case you are confused at home. Assuming Mr. Fields had indeed died in the crash, it is possible some of the hospital staff who are good friends of the man or who respect and idolize him, are stating he did not die so that he is not to be shut down with a Pod. His wife, who presumably convinced their nurse friend, who we should add is no longer working with the hospital, to bring her husband back before it was okay to do so. If this was the situation we believe she told her husband who then convinced her to make a run for it to avoid arrest...
Ryan’s voice shivers at the thought of his father’s death. Adam is Ryan’s idol, he looks up to his father more than anyone in the world.RyanSo... dad could still die then?
TV AnchorThe second option, which seems to be to the authorities as the more likely scenario based on evidence and reports, is that Lisa Fields had died in the crash to be brought back by her husband, who convinced hospital staff to cover up the situation as his wife leaves so she isn’t shut down with a Pod. We caught up with Lionel Sabatelli, current CEO of LifeSource, to interview him.
LionelWell, this is a very sad situation indeed and it seems like a terrible week but right now I’m more worried about my friends than the reputation of the company, if I may be honest. From what Adam has told me I sincerely believe that he had died in the crash but I’m going to try and see if there’s anything I can do and to keep him in that Holding Room for as long as possible, especially since there’s more to this story than we know and it’s exactly the reason why certain exceptions to the rule are applied. Unfortunately, while the machine is our technology we do not control the laws so just in case every time I see my old friend I make sure to say goodbye and that I’ll miss him...
RyanUh, mom, I hear sirens…
It takes Lisa a moment, but she can hear them too – getting closer by the second, as it sounds.LisaWhat?
She tries to look as calm as she can for him, but she is doubtful herself.LisaWell, it’s probably something else, Ryan, don’t worry.
His stomach begins to slowly turn inside of himself as he thinks about the possibilities.RyanMaybe we should leave, just in case.
TV AnchorWe’re actually going to cut to breaking news on this very story. Jim is standing by live. Jim?
JimSandy, I’m here with one of the FBI agents who was with Mr. Caldwell when he died. He tells me they have reports that an anonymous man has seen Lisa Fields and her son at a motel outside the City. Mr. Bennett is it?
As always, the agent carries along with him his devastating sense of confidence and that impossible-to-miss cocky attitude.BennettYes, it is.
BennettThat’s exactly what we’ve heard. Police just got off the phone from a resident of the motel saying that he believes he saw the suspect and her son at the motel. I’m actually just outside the LifeSource building and was just notified of this and your cameras just happened to be here. We want to be sure this information is out there just in case she has had a chance to get away so that people know where she is and can help us track her. Our team is actually headed there right now to meet with the police.
SandyWell, sorry Jim, we actually have a reporter that is near the area for another story that we were able to contact who is now live at that very motel. Mindy, can you explain what’s going on?
MindyWell we just arrived at the motel and I hear the sirens getting louder in the background.
SandyDo you think you’ll be allowed inside?
The camera cuts back to Bennett. It pans out to reveal Saunders standing next to him.SaundersActually, sorry to interrupt.
SaundersMy partner contacted the police about the situation and said that Mindy can go in with them and film the arrest.
SandyWow! That is fast.
SaundersYeah, actually I was close by and overheard you have a camera there and I love a good TV arrest so I thought I’d help.
SandyWell, thank you. Let’s get back to Mindy on the scene. Mindy?
She runs to the first officer she can find to explain her situation.MindyThe cops are here actually.
MindyExcuse me, I’m with channel...
PoliceYeah we know, keep up!
She runs close behind the cops as they charge up the tiny metal staircase against the side of the motel. The largest officer knocks on the door with a brutal show of force, taking his attention away only for a moment, to wink at the young lady he is trying to impress with his strength and bravery.MindyOh, well I guess I have no choice then.
Moments pass in clusters of silence which seem to echo beyond the door.PoliceThis is the police, open the door!
Again, no one answers. He turns abruptly towards the camera man.PoliceIf you don’t open this door we’ll bust it open!
The large boot of the officer bashes against the door three times before it gives way, shattering like glass into hundreds of shards of wood. It takes a moment but the officers finally notice that there is no one home. The room is empty and the only sound is of the television which is set to the broadcast which had been trailing the officers up the stair case.PoliceStand back!
Gabriel pushes his way through the sea of bodies which encompasses the hospital. The crowd seems to wave closer and closer to the rocky old building and crashing against the chain link fence on its perimeter. The roars of the mob continue in an unending racket; that is, until the sirens silence them.
The toll booth holds its robotic arm high in the air as to let the moment’s VIP’s through. Each car is marked by either the crest of the local police force, the letters F.B.I. or the logo of one news station or another. With all the security and police forces which have flocked to the hospital, Gabriel cannot help but wonder who is looking after the city. Are there even any offices left in the case of a bank robbery? His mind would continue to wander if he had not been snapped back into reality by the gruff voices of Agent Bennett, and Agent Saunders.
Bennett
They aren’t there, sir.
Saunders
Damn! I had hoped this would be done by now. Regardless, go and find the security camera footage. They must have a new car, and we can get the license plate from the images in the parking lot.
Bennett
Thompson already tried. The motel manager says he only ever saw them walking to the motel.
SaundersHe won’t admit it, but Saunders is actually quite impressed by the resourcefulness of the convicts.
So, they think they are smart, huh? There are still witnesses around. Figure out where she went to get her car. I want footage from every place with a parking space within a mile radius.
Bennett
Yes, sir.
Mrs. TrealoutThe short woman behind the desk is starting to get annoyed.
Can you stop that infernal whistling!
Dr. TrealoutDr. Trealout chuckles as he brushes past his wife in search of his next patient.
I’ll try.
Mrs. TrealoutShe calls out to the doctor, knowing he had probably already forgotten by then.
Room 216.
Mrs. Trealout
Only five more scheduled patients for the day, then it’s off to dinner, remember? So try and hurry up, hun.
Dr. TrealoutHe continues his march down the hall, watching the room numbers pass. 210, 211, 212. He is curious as to what the next patient would be; probably a cold or a fever or something like that.
Yes, yes. I know.
TrealoutHe grabs the shining steel knob and presses open the door.
216, here we go.
GabrielThe doctor checks his notes. A dark coat is laying on his chair and Gabriel behind him.
Good morning.
Trealout
Good morning. Your name is Daniel Harding, correct? How are we feeling today?
Gabriel
Well doc, there’s a pain in my arm that just won’t go away.
Trealout
Please, don’t call me doc. I worked much too hard to gain the full title after all. Anyways, let’s take a look shall we. Can you describe the pain to me?
GabrielA smirk crosses Gabriel’s face as he drives his elbow against the doctor’s head, knocking him unconscious.
Actually, you know what?
GabrielHe says this as sarcastically as possible as he drops from the tissue covered bench and puts on the doctor’s coat.
I think it’s all better now, doc.
GabrielHe snickers as he slides his way through the door; closing it quietly behind him. The newly cloaked Gabriel wanders through the hospital, badge in hand until he finds his way to the Holding Room. It is cold and filled with modified Regeneration Pods, meant to keep the body in a stable unconscious state. He skims the names as he walks by, Jacob Banton, David Alkaji, and finally, Adam Fields.
Thanks for the badge.
GabrielGabriel’s eyes scan the room for some kind of button or switch which might seem to help. However, his search is short lived, as the doors to the holding room burst open behind him.
Found you. Now how do I open this?
SaundersThe two F.B.I agents stand in the threshold pointing their guns towards Gabriel. They had come when a nurse found the doctor to be unconscious in the room where Gabriel had left him.
Freeze! Step away from the Pod!
SaundersGabriel slowly inches his way from them. Bennett walks his way over to Gabriel, handcuffs in his left hand and gun in his right, ready to arrest him. It appears, however, this is not in Gabriel’s plan. He reaches out and grips the Agent’s arm as he spun over to grab his gun and redirects it back towards the head of Bennett; holding the agent as a human shield.
Cuff him.
GabrielSaunders chuckles at the thought of his partner being shot.
Back off or I will shoot him!
SaundersHe lifts his gun and fires a bullet straight into the center of Bennett’s chest. Bennett’s body falls to the ground as Gabriel, who at this time is in shock, releases him. A moment passes before anyone moves – that is, aside from the smile which has enveloped Saunders’ face.
Or I can do it.
BennettBennett stumbles back to his feet.
Jackass.
GabrielGabriel takes aim for a small panel box behind Saunders and pulls the trigger, hoping the sparks would be enough to distract the Agents. Sure enough, Saunders hides his colossal frame behind one of the Pods in an attempt to protect himself. Just what Gabriel had been hoping for; he sprints out the door and back into the halls of the Hospital.
You gotta be kidding me…
SaundersAgent Saunders picks up his radio.
Damn!
Saunders
He’s running down. Be ready for him!
LisaLisa takes off her glasses. She had first got glasses in the second grade; she still remembers the first little pink pair she had chosen with her mom that day. Her taste in eye-wear has obviously changed as she no longer wears those flowery framed glasses and has evolved into a more mature and casual pair. However, now they seem to no longer work. Her vision has been getting more and more blurry recently when she is wearing them. Only when she is going unaided by those manufactured frames did she regain her sense of vision.
This isn’t working…
LisaLisa starts shaking Ryan as she pulls into the nearby convenience store. He yawns as his arms stretch out as far as he could reach.
I think we need to take a break. Come on, Ryan; time to get up.
Ryan
How long have I been out for?
LisaThey both go into their respective bathrooms that are both empty at this time of night. The man at the counter even seems to be sleeping only to be awaken when Ryan reaches the counter. He heads to the car after buying a bag of the new Cheese Explosion flavour of his favourite brand of chips.
About an hour or so. Just found a rest stop. You can go use the bathroom, but I have to apply this hair dye I got from Grandpa. Here’s some money if you want to buy some chips or something but put on your hat and keep your head down so the cameras don’t see your face.
RyanUnfortunately this is not the same car they owned as there is no music playing. It is clear that because it is an older car it does not have the standard entertainment technology that seems to be in every car. Not to mention that they won’t be able to transfer the music subscription service they had subscribed to with their old car to this new one. He almost forgets that they are fugitives now and that they need to lay low. Lisa pulls open the car door and sits back into the driver’s seat with her newly applied red hair.
Play radio
Lisa
I’m back.
Ryan
Where exactly are we going again?
Lisa
Just like your father; smart as a whip, but can’t remember destinations for the life of you. Oh well. According to the note on the map, there’s a house we’re supposed to be moving to in Belmont. I don’t know why this specific place though.
Ryan
What do you mean?
Lisa
Well I thought we would be going to a place where we would be unnoticed; but it’s a house in the suburbs, like our old house, but probably not as nice.
RyanRyan is obviously aware of the dangers in such a place.
Is that such a good idea?
Lisa
Well, let’s go find out.
To be continued...
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