Chapter 2

-Riley-

It was like coming up for air. As soon as my hand moved that fraction of an inch and my foot finally settled on the ground, I was suddenly entirely thankful to be alive.

Despite my relief I couldn't help the sense of shock that coursed through me as I realized our situation "She's gone"

"No" Joseph replied sarcastically "I didn't notice the absence of our recently comatose friend"

"Joseph" I replied, attempting not to roll my eyes

"Or should I say Bitch that locked us in our own bodies!"

I didn't even try to stop my eyeroll as his pettiness rolled off of me "Joseph, this is serious" I hissed

He crossed his arms, looking like a cross toddler "Oh and what's your mastermind plan to find subject 14? We have no idea how long she's had us like that! She could be outside the compound by now!"

I grimaced, although Joseph's whininess was annoying, he had a point. "Yes, but either way we still need to be sure. I'll go out and look for her while you stay here in case she makes her way back here."

I knew a tantrum was coming when Joseph's face contorted into an appalled expression "So you'll get to do everything while I wait here for nothing? Subject 14 coming back here after spooking her is highly unlikely."

I sighed waiting for him to get to his point "I know what this is Dr. Palvo, you just want to pin this all on me and complain to the board that I didn't even attempt to help you clean up this mess!"

"Joseph"

"Well, I don't think so!"

"We don't have time for this, if you're not going to stay here who is?"

"I will" a small voice piped up.

I swiveled around, to see my niece, Darla, standing in the doorway, lunchbox in hand.

Joseph and I exchanged a look as the 6-year-old skipped into the lab. "Wh..Why are you here hun? When did you even get here?" I asked her gently, voicing our worry and suspicions. A lab with a potentially dangerous woman on the loose is not the best place for a six-year-old to be running around.

"I just got here" Darla responded, her wide doe-like brown eyes practically screaming innocence. "Nana sent me with your lunch." She held up the small pink lunch pail to prove her point.

I felt myself soften, I wanted to pull her into a hug and thank her but with the time-stopping outsider running around the other part of me wanted to rush the little girl back home where I knew she would be safe.

After Sunny died, it was me, my mom and Darla, and she meant everything to us.

I opened my mouth to tell her thank you and quickly shove her out the door when the idiot spoke up. "What did you see?" He asked gruffly.

The little girl shrugged her small shoulders and said "You and Aunt Riley playing the statue game... Aunt Riley won by the way"

Joseph pressed on despite my murderous glares "So you haven't seen anyone in the halls on you way here?"

Darla let out an exasperated sigh, I swear sometimes this girl acts like an 80-year-old woman who's about to go off about her tea "No, I have not. Are you-" she stopped for a moment as if just remembering something "Actually, I did see someone" I'd never seen Joseph so hopeful "I saw Mr. Carson the janitor in the hall, his dog Mags just had puppies" She looks at me "Do you think we can have one?"

Joseph glared as I stifled my laughter "Sorry sweetheart, you'll have to take that up with Nana"

With that Darla sighed, muttering an okay as she stalked out the door. I laughed as I could hear her grumble about crazy people and the unfairness of not having a puppy from the hall.

"Ok, how about I search the surrounding town and you search the facility"

He grumbled something incoherent but nodded and we set off

"She couldn't have gone that far..." I murmured

___