Chapter 44: Freeing Jackson
297words
The guards hesitated. "We didn't receive any orders—"
"Do you want to call him and question his judgment?" Sophia challenged. "While we're under attack?"
The guards exchanged uncertain glances, then stepped aside. "Where are you taking her?"
"That's classified," Sophia replied coldly. "Just hold your position."
Once we were past them and through the doors to the medical wing, I turned to Sophia in amazement. "That was incredible."
"Being a Hayes has some advantages," she said with a grim smile. "Now hurry. Your friend is in the last room on the left."
We found Jackson still secured to the hospital bed with silver restraints, but conscious and alert. His eyes widened when he saw us.
"Charlie! And… who's this?"
"A friend," I said as Sophia produced another key and began unlocking his restraints. "Can you walk?"
"I think so," Jackson said, sitting up gingerly as the silver chains fell away. "The pack is here? Liam?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "We need to find them and get out of here."
"Not without destroying the formula," Jackson insisted. "If they keep it—"
"I know," I interrupted. "The laboratory is on the way to the main exit. We'll stop there first."
Sophia led us through the complex, using her access card to open secured doors. The facility was in chaos—alarms blaring, personnel running in all directions, the sounds of fighting echoing from distant corridors.
"What exactly did Liam do?" I asked Jackson as we hurried along.
"Multiple entry points," Jackson explained, his strength visibly returning now that the silver was gone. "Half the pack creating a diversion at the main entrance while smaller groups infiltrate from other directions. Classic wolf pack hunting strategy."
