Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Consequences of Working Late ❯ Hurt on the Job ( Chapter 2 )

Section 2: Hurt on the Job

 

All she could hear was the clicking of her heels against the floor as she sprinted down the long corridors away from the two murders. Fear clung to her being as she flew back to where she had come. She knew if would be only a matter of minutes before the two men would finish checking all of the rooms leading to Edwards' office.

As the familiar wooden door came into view she slowed long enough to fling the door open and then slam it behind her, pressing her back against it to make sure it would not open. In front of her sat her very confused boss. His usually neat combed back black hair now appeared tossed. Probably from the numerous times he had ran his hands through it during the day. His ice blue eyes glared at her, ready to criticize her for entering in such an abrupt manner without coffee.

“Miss Helen, what do you—” He started but was quickly silenced by the flailing of her arms and incoherent speech.

“Two men—blood—guns—they are looking for you sir!” she hissed frantically trying to get her thoughts together. Already standing, Edwards didn't waste anytime as he made his way over to the book shelf. Pulling a small book forward the shelf jerked, with a small clicking sound. Swinging it open, he turned to Elyssia and uttered one word.

“Follow.”

She rushed towards the open bookcase and trailed after him down the damp stairs once she finished closing the case behind her. Slipping, she was caught by the Colonel before she could hit the ground. Pulling her up he grabbed her wrists and led her down the dark tunnel. Behind them they could hear the door being bashed in by the men.

“Where are we?” Elyssia questioned once they had some distance between them and the secret entrance.

“This area use to be in the middle of a war zone, so tunnels run through out this entire town as escape routes incase of invasion. These tunnels were hardly ever used during the war but I guess we are using them now.” He said, clearing away spider webs that blocked their path. Elyssia was doing her best to meet his pace and was glad when they came to a halt. Trying to catch her breath she coughed violently.

“What is that smell? It is horrid.” She coughed, covering her mouth as she looked around. It was dark with almost no lighting but she could tell the path divided ahead.

“After the war, engineers decided to turn some of the tunnels into sewage drains. We must be near one.” He paused, looking around he let go of her wrist and pulled out a small vial of ink used for writing. Dipping his finger into it he kneeled down and began drawing a small symbol on the ground. It was of two semi-circles with the openings pointing different directions.

“What are you doing?” she questioned standing beside him as he put the vial back in his pocket.

“It's a thing I picked up while I was in the army. It's a tracer. Soldiers often use these to mark where they have been so allies can follow their trail.”

“Then why are you doing that? Those men were dressed in uniform. They would know what it means.” She exclaimed, fearing of being captured.

“Relax only one other person knows what this means. The outer circle represents where we are going,” he said pointing towards the right tunnel, “and this smaller circle represents where we came from.” He said pointing to behind them with his thumb.

“And these two dots right here and here,” he said dipping his finger in front of each circles opening, “means how many people we came with and how many we left with.”

“I see.” She said thoughtfully trying to remember that just in case she would ever need it.

“Who are you hoping finds it?” she questioned looking at her boss as he stood beside her. He looked tired but there was a certain gleam in his eyes she had never seen before. She had barged into his office rambling insane things of doom and despair. Yet he had believed her. Without asking a single question he had already moved to help her escape. He seemed to be lost in though but the look in his eyes was primal, a need to survive.

“We need to get moving. The faster we get away from here the better.” Grabbing her wrist once again they headed down the tunnel until they came across a small ladder leading up to a manhole above. Streams of light poured in, lighting up portions of the damp tunnel.

“I'll go up first; you come up when I signal you.” He ordered as he grasped the railing, pulling himself up. She watched as he lifted the manhole cover and vanished from view. Looked around, he signaled for her and she soon emerged from the ground. With white knuckles she pulled forward and stood herself up. They stood in the middle of the road, right outside the military compound's outer wall. Lights lit the road illumination parts of near by buildings. The bustles of the town were all silenced with the cover of nightfall. The only sound to be heard was the rush of water under the near by bridge.

“Come on I need to make a phone call.” Edwards said as he trotted down the street, continuing to survey the area. She followed silently after him, rubbing her wrist as she went.

“Colonel, why would men be after you? Do you have enemies?” She questioned walking to his right. He snorted as his icy eyes looked over to her. His pale skin illuminated by a near by street light.

“That is like asking a dirty lawyer if he has ever lied. Someone as young as me does not reach the rank of Colonel without stepping on a few toes and knocking heads.” She nodded. It was true. Colonel Neal Edwards was only 32 years old. All of the other Colonels she had met in her career as a secretary had been in their 40's or older. It was no secret that Neal had received most of his promotions during the war five years ago for excellent field performance. Which she had gathered meant he lived longer than his commanding officers and was promoted to fill the spot. Of course he had also received a fair amount of promotions after the war. So he was fully capable of performing the duties.

Suddenly blinded by lights Elyssia was pulled out of her thoughts. Alarmed at the sound of screeching tires the two began to flee.

“Run and do not stop no matter what happens.” Edwards ordered as they ran down the street towards the bridge. With loud thuds against the wooden bridge they could hear the car coming closer as the sound of acceleration became louder. With a piercing cry of anguish greeting Elyssia's ears she felt herself and Edwards being flung over the railing.

Cold water awakened ever part of her being as it slapped and stung at her body. Twirling in the current she was swept away, catching only a glimpse of the stopped car on top of the bridge. Gasping for air only to receive water she could feel her lungs burning. Splashing along she finally felt herself slam up against a concrete wall. Chocking as what little remaining air in her lungs escaped she rested against the platform as the water continued to press against her. In a matter of seconds she heard another thud against the platform. Looking over she could see pain clearly expressed on her bosses face as he fought against the water.

Hoisting herself up the concrete platform she helped Neal up. With a grunt of pain he laid on the damp ground wheezing to get his breath back.

“Neal, are you alright?” she asked breathlessly as she helped roll him onto his back. He clenched to his side as blood flowed through the creaks of his fingers.

“You're bleeding!” She said moving closer to his side.

“Damn, my good shirt.” He grunted, looking up at her with half hearted humor in his eyes. “It was my favorite.” He added with a slight smile at her flabbergasted face.

“Well prepare to take it off I need to look at your wound.”

“What are you now? A doctor?” he questioned incredulously as she helped him out of his military jacket and then his shirt. Looking at his wound she set to work silently. He watched her with a tense expression as she probed around his bullet wound. He tensed as she lifted and tug at his side.

“Hey lady, watch it with that death grip of yours.” He said wincing. She looked at him with relief and sat back on her heels as she began ripping his shirt.

“The bullet went straight through and did not hit any vital organs. You were lucky, a little more to the right and it would have clipped your lung. With the proper treatment the bleeding will stop before too long. But this will have to do.” She said taking the strips of shirt and slowly fixed it around his wound.

“How do you know all of this Elyssia?” he inquired adjusting himself to help her wrap.

“I may not have all the glorious war scars but I was in the war too.” She said smiling, bet he didn't see that coming.

“Really? I did not know you were so old—oomph!” Pulling tightly on the torn strips he cringed as he realized the mistake.

“How rude! I will have you know I am only 24! They recruited me right out of premed to be a nurse during the war.” She paused for a moment, fuming at his lack of manners once again. “And I'll have you know, I was a damn good nurse. I saved a lot of soldiers' lives back then.” There was a brief silence between them as she finished up.

“I am sure you did.” he said thoughtfully remember his time during the war. So many of his comrades were lost, maybe a few would have survived if they had a nurse like her with them. He sat for a moment longer before getting to his feet.

“Although, I am sure they did not like being man handled.” He said half joking, watching as she glowered at him.

“Alright we need to get a move on. I need to call an old friend of mine. He will know how to help us out.” He said putting his jacket over him.

“Right.” She nodded as they headed up the small ladder leading to the top of the bridge.