A Great Leap (First Draft) - Outer Realms Book 1

Chapter 22

"Odd bloke," Gannon said.

"You've got no clue," Joel said, "I'll get his bag."

"Can you show me the thermals you have?" Mikayla asked.

"I don't agree with this plan," Gannon said, "But I was ordered to follow your lead. I've got footage on a computer over here. We're waiting on a helicopter."

"Call it off," Mikayla said, "Dom's right. We want to avoid escalating this and it will only draw cameras here all the sooner. We don't need the media underfoot."

A few minutes later, Mikayla and Joel met up with Dominic at the front door of the hospital.

"Gary's stalking the halls," Dominic, "Other side of the building. I think we should try to get him into one of the larger rooms. Keep him away from the people still inside and give us some room to get him under control."

"How do we keep the secret with so many people around?" Joel asked.

"One problem at a time," Mikayla said, "We need to focus on public safety first."

"I agree," Dominic said, reaching into his bag, "We get some gear from our jobs." He retrieved several gun components from his bag and put them together, building two rifles that he handed over. "Tranquiliser guns but Mike helped make a few changes. I have a few varieties of sedative. Some regular and a some made by Cam." He handed over a few darts then zipped up the bag.

"What about you?" Mikayla asked.

"I'm a civilian," Dominic answered, "I can't run around with a threatening set of keys or a heavy duty torch never mind actual weapons. I get this stuff out as a last resort or when I have a police escort."

"Recommendations on going in?" Mikayla asked.

"Joel first," Dominic said, "He's friendly. Inspired trust. Should be able to calm down any scared people we come across. Mikayla can watch our backs and coordinate with Sergeant Gannon. I'll keep an ear and nose out for anything outside the human range."

"Works for me," Joel said, "If you can give us enough warning we should be safe enough. What else have you got in that bag?"

"Holy water and wooden stakes," Dominic answered with a straight face, "Come on."

The foyer was sprayed with dark blood still wet and dripping when the three entered. There was the rotting smell of Gary's condition hanging in the air.

"That way," Dominic said, pointing, "Three people. Another two down the hall and around the corner."

"Gary?" Mikayla asked.

Dominic shook his head. "Hard to tell. I can hear him on the other side of the building, I think. The noise outside is distracting. Place reeks of him. Too recent to track properly. My other ears are better but that would be more complicated than helpful. I can tell you if he gets closer. Let's move a bit faster. I don't know what Gary's sense are like. Don't want to risk them being better than mine."

They moved through the hospital at a deliberate pace with Dominic leading them to occupied rooms of scared patients, staff and visitors while passing by empty rooms. Mikayla radioed Sergeant Gannon regularly in a hushed voice, advising him of their progress and directing people out of the building. Gannon relayed the positions of the police outside in response.

Mikayla kept a careful watch on the halls and doors behind them, her ears trained to every sound and jumping at every creaking floorboard. She was more than familiar with the tightness in her chest of anxiety gnawing at her nerves and she noted with some surprise that staking down corridors in search of a clawed monster felt no different to facing off with an armed human. After searching through half the facility, Dominic called a halt and drew Joel and Mikayla closer with a crooker finger.