Accident Prone

"How are you doing?", Liz asked Dr. Thomas who smiled nervously in return. She never did anything like this, but then… she was never a captive either.

Dr. Thomas was overwhelmed to think that these four people came to rescue her. She is a single middle-aged woman without children and any attachments other than her work. She dedicated her life to finding a cure for various diseases and she never thought that her passion for saving lives will end up endangering her own. When she realized her predicament, Dr. Thomas decided to save her legacy and started sending bits and pieces to Elizabeth, the only person who could understand her latest work.

At that time, Dr. Thomas destroyed all samples of the virus, keeping one with herself which she modified so that it kills only directly infected, without spreading further. In this way, she would infect herself and her executioners. But now, it seems that she can take that sample with her and hopefully recreate her work somewhere else.

Other than emails and video chats, Dr. Thomas does not know Liz, and she never met the other three, yet here they are, risking their lives in order to save hers. Dr. Thomas told herself that if they come out of this alive, she will make sure to repay the youngsters somehow.

The canteen was noisy, and it seemed that everyone was minding their own business.

They got their food and started working on it while checking the time.

Two researchers joined them at the table and then the siren boomed through the facility. After a second where everyone was frozen, soldiers left their trays with food and dashed outside.

"What is this?", one researcher asked with panic in his voice.

"Go to your rooms and stay there!", one soldier shouted before he bolted out with the others.

Max, Liz, Hunter, Mia, and Dr. Thomas exchanged glances and made their way toward the exit.

Max felt his phone vibrate and he checked the message which confirmed where his men are waiting for them.

"Take us out, to the South West corner…", Max told Dr. Thomas to which she nodded.

They went through the kitchen that looked abandoned. From there they moved into a hallway and two flights of stairs up, they found themselves outside, greeted by loud explosions and numerous shouts.

The daylight faded, and the darkness made flares from the explosions and gunshots more dramatic. Spotlights moved over the ground, trying to capture any assailants who infiltrated the place. The soldiers didn't know that no one wants inside, but it's the opposite, five people are on their way out.

From a peaceful facility that made people tense, this seemed like chaos descended and the end of the world is upon them.

Liz felt fear numbing her limbs and she forced herself to move.

Liz lowered her head and followed after Max while praying silently that no one notices them in all this commotion. But her prayers were not answered when someone shouted for them to stop and get back which earned him two gunshots from Hunter.

Mia dashed toward the soldier who was on the ground and she swiftly took his guns away. She was carrying the knives while thinking of a stealthy operation, but with all this noise and commotion, there is no need to be stealthy.

"Run!", Mia cried when she saw that they drew the attention of a soldier who was standing on the wall, and he started shooting their way.

They scrambled toward the corner and only when they got close to it, they spotted a rope-ladder that was hanging for them to use. That was placed by Max's men who waited on the other side of the wall.

Max went first, followed by Dr. Thomas and Liz, as Mia and Hunter stood their ground for a few seconds while shooting at soldiers who were in sight.

Max reached the top first, and he kicked one unsuspecting soldier off the wall. Liz would admire the skills of her amazing boyfriend, but she had to keep that for later.

When all five of them reached the top, Max and Hunter pulled the rope-ladder up, so that they can flip it on the other side and use it to descend toward the jungle where several of Max's people are waiting for them.

Liz was reluctant to pass through barbed wire, but there was no other way down. As she bent to go down, Liz felt a sharp burning pain at the back of her right shoulder, close to where the bulletproof vest ends. Liz gritted her teeth and kept on moving. There were explosions and gunshots, and it was not a good time to stop and complain about a scratch. No matter how deep it is, it will need to wait.

When all five of them were down, Max's men led the way into the jungle, and they gave the signal to the other team who was doing the diversion that they can stop and scatter.

Max held onto Liz's hand as they rushed through the dense foliage, following the footsteps of the men in front of them. About ten minutes later, they emerged on a muddy local road where several jeeps waited for them.

They hopped into the vehicles; Hunter and Mia in one, while Max and Liz in the back of another one with Dr. Thomas on the front passenger's seat. Max's men were driving as they were familiar with the roads (the locals showed them).

Max exhaled in relief when they started moving. In about half an hour, they will reach his private jet and be out of here. This rescue was a success, and it will be a good story for their grandkids. Max smiled at that thought and pulled Liz closer to him.

Max saw that Liz winced when his palm landed on her shoulder and he stared at his hand in horror when he realized that the wet sensation is from the blood.

"It's OK. It's just a scratch from the barbed wire.", Liz assured Max with a smile, even though due to the pain, sweat beaded her forehead and her right arm ached so much that it was difficult to move.

"That's a big scratch.", Max said with a frown while thinking how her shirt was soaked and he leaned to see what is going on.

He stared at her dark blue shirt that was drenched in blood and his heart stopped when he didn't see a tear, but only one circular hole in it.

"That is not a scratch, Liz! You got shot!", Max exclaimed.

Max swiftly switched sides with Liz and in one move he ripped the sleeve to expose her shoulder.

Liz checked the front of her shoulder and noticed that it's intact. That means that the bullet is still inside.

"It is not life-threatening. Apply the pressure to stop the bleeding.", Liz told Max in a calm voice. She was terrified, but Max was already panicking, and she didn't want to make it worse. "I will need surgery to remove the bullet, but it can't be done here."

"We need to go to a hospital!", Max shouted, getting attention from the driver and Dr. Thomas who were in front.

"What happened?", Dr. Thomas asked with her brows furrowed as she watched Max pressing on Liz's shoulder. Liz's pale complexion told her that things are not good.

"She was shot.", Max responded and focused on Liz. "You will be OK, baby. I've got you. Stay with me, can you do that?"

"Yes.", Liz gave him a smile and started her fight to stay conscious as the lightheadedness increased due to her loss of blood.

After Liz got shot, she climbed down the rope-ladder and rushed through the jungle which got her blood pumping. Due to adrenaline, she was able to pull through, but now that things calmed down, she could feel the numbing pain and she was scared.

"Talk to me, Max…", Liz demanded softly.

Her heart ached when she saw the worry that was etched on his face.

Max thought for a second what to talk about before he decided. "Valentine is around the corner. I booked something nice, I'm sure you will like it. It's a place above the water with a glass floor so we can watch the fish and corals as we enjoy dinner. I want to dance with you, the whole evening. And then…"

Liz was unable to focus on the meaning behind his words, but his voice was soothing. She wanted to tell him not to worry about her, and that everything will be fine, but she was getting tired. Too tired to speak. And then there was darkness.

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