We gotta free the others. Anniston's mind and heart raced at the idea.
She yanked the blanket that hid them from the cams.
"Don't need this anymore," she remarked.
She wadded it up and tossed it on the cot.
Meanwhile, in Relda's suite, the removal of the blanket meant she could see the viewing screen without hindrance.
Anniston stepped in front of Sariah and glanced both directions in the hall. Clear to the left. Clear to the right.
"Stay behind me," she whispered through clenched teeth.
Sariah peered around Anniston's legs.
"We'll start with Suite 1," Anniston decided.
"How many are there?" Came the gentle voice beneath her.
Anniston counted on her fingers.
"Probably fourteen."
She gave a nod of confirmation as she started for the first suite and added, "Yes. Fourteen."
She punched the passcode into the pad. N377A.
Relda wasted no time. Enough had already been wasted. She dashed through the door and pointed ahead.
"Let's get the others," she urged. "What's the passcode again? N377A?"
Anniston and Sariah exchanged wide-eyed glances. Anniston shrugged.
"Mother's orders," she said.
Relda stationed herself at Suite 2. Anniston continued to Suite 3, and Sariah scurried off to Suite 4. By the time Daly, Darrion, and Anthem had dashed into freedom, Relda had moved on. Annika joined them.
The seven freed prisoners selected a suite. One by one, the twins, the younger quintuplets, Raylay, and Ty rushed from their suites.
"We're good," Relda addressed the group. "At least for now. Get ready for trouble."