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On one of the side tables, we gathered survival supplies. We had covered options to defend ourselves and options to escape. Surviving in the Quonset was the third leg of our planning stool. There was a sink with running water, so that was good. The only food we found was a stale box of crackers. There was a thermostat on the wall, so we had heat. It was comfortable at the moment, but the person or people who trapped us inside might be able to disconnect the furnace from the outside. Other than some cloths that looked like the lab version of a bar mop to clean up spills, there were no blankets or extra clothing if it got too cold. Most of the furnishings were metal, but there were a few wooden pieces we could burn for heat if necessary. Our general consensus was that if they cut off our heat it would be a toss-up between freezing or starving to see which did us in first.
I didn't know if we should hope whoever locked us in came back for us or not. That would depend on their incentive, I guess.
"It's been three hours," Cassie said. "If they were coming back, they would have already done it."
"Is it time to try one of our escape plans?"
"Sure. Which one?"
The door removal would allow us the easiest way out, so we decided on that. I just started trying to work the hinge pin free, when I heard the sound of the fan change. I looked up and saw white mist coming through the vents near the ceiling. I grabbed Cassie's sleeve and tugged it until she looked at me. I pointed up. "We've got to get out of here? Are you armed?"
She shook her head. We both put our arms over our mouths and reached for weapons. My eyes were burning from the mist that was quickly filling the room. I heard a crash and saw Cassie collapse on the floor taking one of the metal stools down with her. I thought maybe I could use one of the stools to break a hole through the side wall. I pulled one over to a place where there wasn't anything against the wall. Picking up the stool with legs forward I...
XXX
I thought I heard engine noises, like a big truck or an airplane, but I couldn't open my eyes.
It was quiet when I swam to the surface of consciousness again. I opened one eye and looked around. Beige. Everything I could see was beige. I was lying on my side on a narrow bed in a small room. I squeezed my eyes shut in an attempt to ease the nausea. My hands and feet were unbound. My throat was sore, and I felt like I'd throw up if I moved even my eyes.
"Wake up," a man's voice said as he smacked my cheek. On instinct, I grabbed his wrist. "Let go," he said, using his other hand to pry my fingers from around his arm.
He grabbed both my wrists and pulled me up to a sitting position. I leaned over and vomited. Some of it ended up on his pants. "Stupid bitch," he said, pulling me up by my hair. My foot connected with his groin, causing him to let go of my hair just as another man walked in. "Back off, Henson."
The guy who'd been manhandling me, walked out. "Welcome, Ms. Mason." He stepped toward me, nearly stepping in the vomit before he noticed it. "Henson, get someone in here to clean this shit up," he hollered. "How are you feeling?"
I just looked down at the pile of vomit on the floor.
"Not well, I guess. That will pass." A man walked in with one of those mops in a bucket like school janitors use. The man that had been talking to me, backed out of the way so he could clean up.
"I need you in top form," he said, turning and walking out the door behind the janitor.
I took a closer look around the room. There was nothing except the bed and an open door that looked like it led to a bathroom. I wondered about Cassie. Has she escaped? Would she come back for me? I hoped so, but she left me on my own with Gracie Layne's kidnappers. Maybe she'd just assume I'd get myself out of this.
I stood up slowly putting my hand against the wall to steady myself. Once I was up, I leaned my ear against the wall. If Cassie was captured maybe she was being held in a room beside mine. I listened but heard nothing. I walked to the opposite wall and repeated the process. I thought I heard something, so I knocked on the wall—three short taps. A moment later, there were three taps in return. "Cassie?" I said, trying to be loud enough for her to hear if she was in the next room but not loud enough to bring our captors.
I heard my name in response. "Any ideas?"
"Not yet. Rest. Need to clear our heads."
It sounded like she felt like I did. I wasn't sure if I felt better knowing I wasn't alone or worse knowing Cassie wasn't going to be coming to my rescue.