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McBrid raced toward Scottsmoor’s lab. He had to get Charlie and Louis before they got that first shot. If he stayed in the lab, he may be able to help them fight the effects of one shot, but on the run, on a boat...they’d never survive.
He slid to a halt at the door to the Rattus laboratory. His hands shook as he pulled his lock picks from his pocket. He couldn’t be too late. He couldn’t. The tumbler fell free and he opened the door. The lights were off and there was an unfamiliar scent—not unpleasant, kind of sweet. Shiny eyes stared at him through the darkness. He’d never seen these creatures. He was pretty sure he didn’t want to, but he turned on the light.
“McBrid?” Charlie hopped from the mat on the floor and rushed to the front of the cage, Louis right behind him.
“Have they given you a shot yet?” He hurried to the cell. He was turning them loose no matter what but he needed to know if he had to steal supplies to try and save them.
“No.” Louis grabbed the bars. “Get us out of here. Please.”
“Is that what they were going to do? Turn us into them?” Charlie’s wide eyes landed on the cage across the room. “I thought we were going to be their dinner.”
The enclosure took up most of the other side of the room. It was similar to what he used with the Aranea project. Two male rat hybrids were locked on one side of the glass and two females on the other. No wonder Scottsmoor wasn’t having any luck with mating.
The two males moved to the front of the cage, the larger one keeping the smaller one behind him. McBrid had to hand it to Scottsmoor. The other scientist had gotten close to success with these creatures. They were Guards but not quite. They had thinner faces, large protruding jaws, long thin, clawed fingers, and gray hair sprouting all over their bodies. They wore T-shirts and pants but the hair poked through and bunched under the cloth. With heavier clothes and gloves they’d be able to pass as Guards—his eyes dropped to the floor—except for the tails that twitched like snakes behind them.
The larger male’s long fingers clasped the bars, his bulging black eyes never leaving McBrid. He opened his mouth. McBrid’s breath froze in his chest. If this thing could still speak...
A high pitched chitter slipped from the creature’s lips. He couldn’t understand a word it was saying. McBrid’s lungs started working again. Scottsmoor hadn’t succeeded.
“Hey, let us out.” Louis grabbed McBrid’s arm.
“Okay. Yeah. Sorry.” He pulled his lock picks from his pocket.
“Keys are on the wall.” Charlie’s hand was through the bars, arm trembling as he pointed at the door.
“Right.” He should’ve known that. They all had to keep a set nearby but not too close. He hurried across the room and grabbed the keys.
The door opened.
“What are you doing?” asked Stink.
“Helping Scottsmoor.” It was time to bluff. He strode to the cell. He needed to appear confident but he couldn’t stop the sweat from soaking his shirt. It must be morning or getting close. They had to go now.
“Stop,” said Stink.
“I don’t take orders from Guards,” he sneered, using every ounce of Almighty condescension he could muster.
Topper walked up behind Stink. “Sir, you need to stop.”
That was not going to happen. He shoved the key into the lock. A large hand landed on his shoulder and another on his wrist, stopping him from turning the key.
“Let him go.” Louis shoved at Stink’s hand on McBrid’s wrist.
“Do not touch me!” He shouldered the Guards while trying to turn the key.
“Can’t do that, sir.” Topper wrapped his arm around McBrid’s waist, dragging him away from the cage.
“Give me the key.” Stink’s fingers scratched at McBrid’s hand.
“No and if you don’t get your hands off me, I’ll feed you to the Brush-Men.”
That was enough for both Guards to drop their hold.
“That’s better.” McBrid turned, key in hand, and moved toward the enclosure.
“I’m sorry, sir.” Topper blocked him. “We can’t let you near the cage until we talk to Scottsmoor.”
“Then, go ask him, but he’s not going to be happy about this delay.” He could handle one Guard. They wouldn’t expect him to be as strong and fast as he was.
“Uhm...Topper,” stammered Stink. “Maybe we should—”
“We should talk to Scottsmoor,” said Topper. “Go find him.”
“What if he ain’t here yet?” asked Stink. “What if he wanted this done before he came to work?”
“What if he didn’t want it done at all and we let it happen?” Topper’s face was pale with fear.
“Yeah. That’d be worse,” said Stink.
“Go find him and ask.” McBrid needed to be out of the building before the other scientists arrived. As soon as Stink left, he’d attack.
“What’s going on?” Scottsmoor stood in the doorway.
His plan was gone. The only chance he had was...“Louis, catch.”
He threw the key but Topper slammed into his shoulder. Louis and Charlie pressed against the bars, arms outstretched but the key fell to the floor several feet away. He lunged for it, his fingers touching the cold metal for one second.
“Stop him,” yelled Scottsmoor.
The Guards were on him fast, Topper hitting his back as Stink slammed into his side. He tumbled to the floor, knocking the key farther away from the cage. He rolled toward it. All he needed was to push it close enough for Louis or Charlie to grab. Topper’s fist flew, punching him in the side and ribs over and over again. He threw back his head, connecting with Topper’s face and then rolled over, shoving the Guard off him. He bolted forward as Stink’s fist slammed into his jaw and everything went dark.