The Deviants, part eighteen

After the sun had set for a few hours and the staff left for the night, Ava threw back her covers and walked to the door. Peeking her head through the frame, she saw that no one occupied the hallway.

Good.

She tiptoed her way down the corridor, making sure she stayed in the most shaded areas. They had cameras, for she knew. But it wouldn't stop her from finding Skye.

Ava continued to wander down different hallways, finding girls asleep in most of the rooms. They all wore sweats similar to hers and seemed healthy. And none of them appeared to have been bred. Not yet anyway.

She would make sure they were freed, though. They didn't deserve this.

Then Ava peered into one of the rooms, and her eyes nearly popped out of her skull. Oh, God! It was Jessica! She was a childhood friend and Doc's daughter.

Ava had been right. These people were holding something over him--his family. It made sense. She clenched her jaw and fists for a moment, then took a deep breath and snuck into her room.

Jessica was fast asleep, just like the other girls. She looked at peace, her light brown hair draping over her face.

Ava gently shook her, "Wake up, Jess."

Jessica groaned, shooing her away. She had always been difficult to rouse out of bed, as every sleepover and camping trip indicated.

But Ava persisted, "Please wake up. We have a lot to talk about."

Rubbing her face, Jessica rolled onto her back, eyes widening, "Ava?"

"Yes, it's me."

"Oh my god!" She whisper-yelled, squeezing her into a tight hug. "I thought you were dead!"

Ava hugged her back, blinking away tears, "I thought the same thing about you."

Jessica pulled back, "What are you doing here?"

"I was kidnapped by some assholes."

"So were we." Jessica wrapped her arms around her knees, "After Wanderers took Mom, this group of men showed up to our house and brought us here."

Ava gripped her shoulder.

"But this wasn't the safe haven we thought." She shivered. "The only reason I'm not being pumped full of fertility hormones is because Dad negotiated a deal with the boss man."

"Yeah, I already saw him. And I saw your dad."

"What about your parents?"

"They were taken. Then after weeks of hiding, they found me and took me as well." Ava smiled, "But I was rescued by another Wanderer who is part of a rebel group."

Jessica scrunched her nose.

"I know. I was skeptical too. But it's true. Not all the Wanderers want to treat us like cattle."

"Okay, I'll humor you."

Ava smirked, "fair enough." She moved in closer. "But one of my new friends is here."

"Ooh, you have friends besides me?"

She ignored her, "She was on the gurney earlier."

Jessica nodded, "Yeah, I saw her. She's in our ICU."

"Do you know where it is?"

"Yeah, I can take you."

Ava smiled, "Thanks."

Slipping her shoes on, Jessica led her down the hallway, also staying within the shadows. Ava wasn't surprised. Jessica was the master at sneaking around and out at night. Of course, she never got in trouble for it either.

It wasn't long before they came upon a set of swinging doors with the word ICU written overhead. Jessica stepped in first, Ava right behind her, who paused immediately.

This was not a standard intensive care unit.

Ava didn't recognize most of the medical equipment. This had to be Wanderer tech. A pit formed in the bottom of her stomach.

"Well shit."

Jessica glanced at her, "What is it?"

"I'll tell you later." Swallowing the lump in her throat, she continued walking, noticing Skye lying in a large bed. Too large for a human.

Her eyes were closed, and she breathed deeply. But other than that, she appeared to be alright.

Moaning, Skye moved her head, eyes opening, "What the hell? you scared the crap out of me."

"I hope not literally," Jessica smirked.

Skye shook her head, "I was supposed to find you, not the other way around."

"I saw you earlier and had to find you." Ava leaned over her. "Are they here?"

Skye lifted a brow, "Do you think I'd be here without some backup?"

Jessica walked over, "Are you okay?"

"Who are you?"

"Ava's friend."

"Really? She had friends before me?"

Jessica nodded, smirking, "Not many, but yes."

Ava crossed her arms, "Where are they?"

"In the wooded area," Skye pulled out a small device. "I can alert them that I got you."

Ava nodded, then frowned, "We'll need more ships."

"Are you talking about Wanderers invading?" Jessica looked upset.

"To rescue the others, yes."

She scowled but didn't argue with the plan.

Skye sat up, grabbing Ava's arm, "There is something you should know before Nash and Galen storm in here."

"What?"

But they were interrupted.

People swarmed in with full combat gear on, holding guns at them. Oh great, this was going to be more challenging than she had thought, or wanted.

***

"Something's happening inside." Galen peered through the spyglass. "It doesn't look good either."

They had received Skye's signal minutes ago and were now moving in on the compound, and Nash's blood was pumping. He couldn't wait to wrap his arms around his mate and take her away from this horrid place.

"What's going on?"

"Guards are surrounding them," Galen's jaw clenched, "and they have their weapons drawn."

Nash pulled out his spyglass, almost breaking it when he saw the scene. Ava, Skye, and another girl were surrounded and in danger of being killed. He was not about to let that happen.

Staying within the darkness, Nash ran up to the building, making sure to stay in the cameras' blind spots. He drew his gun, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

He needed to keep his wits about him in order to save those females. And then he would claim his prize.

Galen approached his left, "So what's the plan? Because I don't think you storming in with your fury will be helpful."

"I agree." Nash forced his legs to remain in place.

Galen scanned around. "I don't see anyone at the front door."

He grinned, "Perfect."

They snuck over to the main door, Nash pulling out a silent bomb from his belt. He placed it on the locks and waited for the puff of smoke.

The door opened slightly, the bomb falling to the ground. Nash walked in first, almost hitting his head on the doorframe in the process. Why did humans have to be so short?

Guns raised, they silently stepped through the corridors, seeing no one except females sleeping in rooms. It reminded Nash of the prison quarters of the mother ship.

He shivered, thinking about when he first saw Ava in one of those holding cells, how his blood boiled as he watched her lay in the bed. Nash should have figured then that they were meant for each other.

"We can't leave these girls here," Galen whispered.

"I know," Nash continued walking, "Call for backup."

"What about the potential mole?"

"We don't have enough space for them."

Nodding, Galen took out his communication tablet, alerting Dae'lon to the situation. He knew they would be reprimanded. He also knew that the mole could screw with their plans, but he didn't care.

The safety of these females was his priority, Nash resuming his search for Ava.