Chapter 17

Jessica opened her mouth to tell me the one thing I desired to know—whether or not she was like me. An alien among humans. An oddity in the world of the normal.

“I…” She uttered but was abruptly cut off by a man yelling just outside the door.

“Find her!” A male’s angry voice emanated from the hallway.

“Uh oh.” My heart began pounding under my ribcage as I wondered what they would do to me if they discovered me wandering about their secret facility.

“We have to get out of here.” I said in a hushed voice as I clutched Jessica by both shoulders and looked her directly in the eyes. Her eyes wide with fright, she nodded and we both got off her bed and walked carefully towards the door.

“Check every room!” The deep voice hollered.

Sliding my fingers between the door and frame, I bent over to remove the tray from its position. Cautious to be silent, I gently lay the tray on the floor and pushed it about two feet away from me.

Jessica whimpered lightly beside me as we heard several of the men in black run by, their dress shoes tapping on the polished hallway floor.

I’d never been a woman of faith, but I wasn’t above praying, especially at this moment. “Please, please help us.” I whispered just under my breath.

Ironically, within seconds of my impromptu appeal, one of the men shouted. “Check the north hallway!”

The frantic rapping of shoes faded into the distance. An eerie silence enveloped the hallway.

My pulse was racing so hard I could hear my blood rushing behind my eardrums. Carefully, I opened the door just a crack. Pressing my right eye against the sliver between the frame and the door, I scanned the hallway for movement. Satisfied that the hall was clear, I turned and offered Jessica my hand.

“Ready?” She nodded with obvious trepidation as I moved the door open slowly. Poking my head out, I looked back and forth down the hall quickly. Keeping Jessica safely behind me, we moved out from her room. Unsure as to which way to go, I paused for a breathless moment.

Which way?

Our survival could depend on just this one choice. Taking a deep breath, I chose to go to the left. Pulling Jessica out from the room with me, we moved forward into an uncertain fate.