Untitled: Part 7 [EDITS]

Leon shuffled with Ralph to bring Milo to the cafeteria, the door to the courtyard automatically swinging shut after their entrance. Normally it would be short walk, but with the added weight and squeaky shoes it seemed like miles.

The cafeteria door slid open as they approached it and staggered in. Milo breathed in labored breaths as they set him on a table. Soft music still played and Leon spotted his magazine, as if nothing outside the room had happened. All three left a trail of water beneath them, already accumulating into puddles.

Ralph was quick to act and said little. After ensuring that Milo was secure, he ran to the kitchen area in search of first aid. He returned with a kit and handed it to Leon. "Take it," he commanded. "I've gotta turn the fence back on before they attempt a rescue."

Ralph immediately departed, leaving a stunned and medically untrained Leon to figure out the rest. Leon first washed his hands and face of the excess mud, then tended to the few cuts and bruises Milo had. The bulk of the injury, Leon noticed, would be internal.

Milo's eyes, shut, quivered slightly, then slowly opened. He coughed and strained to get up but could not. "I think your left arm's broken," Leon said, helping his partner sit up. "And there could be more."

Milo groaned. "What happened?"

"Ralph startled the creature and I was able to shoot it.

Milo rubbed his head at an obviously swollen part. "Who's Ralph?"

"Ralph Thistle," Leon replied. "I don't know exactly what he does but he was the one who was taken earlier."

Milo spit up some blood into the now muddy mess next to the table. He breathed a long breath, contemplating. "There's no one b y that name at this facility."

Leon blinked twice, sat down and then stood back up. "What the hell do you mean? How can you be sure?"

"Because I evaluate everyone who works here and that man does not."

On the last word the lights shut off and for a brief moment the two were awash in darkness. Seconds later an emergency blue lighting system turned on, illuminating the room bu keeping dark shadows.

Leon spun to the entrance, gun raised, expecting Ralph to burst in at any moment. Milo pushed himself off the table and landed shakily onto his feet, steadying himself with his good hand. "Now we radio home and tell them we have ea problem...if the lines haven't already been cut."