Chapter 57: Escape Plan
319words
"Follow me," she said, moving to the door and checking the corridor. "I know this facility better than anyone. Thirty years gives you plenty of time to learn the layout."
We slipped into the hallway, moving silently through the sterile corridors. Elizabeth led with the confidence of long familiarity, avoiding security cameras and guiding us toward what she explained was the main research laboratory.
"Richard keeps everything centralized," she whispered as we paused at a junction. "His paranoia works in our favor—he doesn't trust digital backups that could be hacked."
The laboratory was larger and more sophisticated than the one at the previous facility. Glass-fronted cabinets lined the walls, filled with samples and research materials. In the center stood a series of workstations with advanced equipment.
"Here," Elizabeth said, moving to a locked cabinet. "This contains all his primary research on werewolf detection."
"How do we open it?" I asked.
A grim smile crossed her face as she held up her hand. "Blood lock. Keyed to Hayes DNA. One of the few advantages of being Richard's sister."
She pricked her finger with a small tool from a nearby desk and pressed the bleeding digit to the lock. The cabinet clicked open, revealing folders of research notes and racks of samples.
"We need to destroy it all," I said, gathering the materials.
"Not just destroy," Elizabeth corrected, moving to a computer terminal. "Replace. I'm going to upload false research data—formulas that look promising but will lead nowhere. It will take Richard years to realize he's been sabotaged."
As she worked at the computer, I collected the physical samples and research notes, piling them in a metal waste bin. "What about Sophia? We need to find her."
"East wing, third floor," Elizabeth replied without looking up from the screen. "Cell 12. The access code is 4729."
