Block 1, while essentially one long hallway, at least had basic amenities. The cells appeared designed for two patients each, and the block further subdivided itself by putting a library, exercise yard, or chow hall every 100th unit. Indeed, if one ignored the laser barricades and automatic turrets, there were no external signs this place was even designed to house the worst of the worst.
With Sandra present to talk to the animals, the group was able to search much more quickly.
"I found a clue, I think!"
Everyone turned to see Dusty holding a hair barrette.
"Couldn't that just be from a staff member," Sandra said, surprised the John didn't beat her to it. She turned back, and saw he had a concerned look on his face.
"Can you smell that," he asked mister Whiskers.
"Sure."
"Did you smell anything like this in the house on the surface?"
"Indeed, I did!"
"So," Sandra surmised, "the daughter got down here during the riot, is that correct?"
Dusty shook his head, "Couldn't she have dropped it here another time? I worked with my dad at the junkyard all the time; I'm sure you can still find some of my stuff there, today."
The John took a moment to ponder both options, before giving his conclusion.
"Richardson liked the way things were run back in the old days, before the secret world went public. Plus, this is a dangerous facility, housing dangerous people. I just don't see him doing 'bring your daughter to work day.'"
"Let's find Juniper, then. She's better at clues than us, anyway," Sandra declared. Everyone got back on the bus, and the John pointed the way to block 2.
"So, mister under cover hero, could you tell us more about your mission here?"
"I'd rather not..."
"Please! Just a little!"
Facing Sandra's puppy-dog eyes, the veteran hero ultimately relented.
"I'm here to check on the status of a patient. My source claims his death about a month before this riot, if that tape is accurate."
"Isn't it a little risky to be here by yourself, though?"
Before the guilt could show on his face, the John hastily threw out an excuse.
"Like I said, the date of my source was from before all hell broke loose here. I was fully expecting to be stuck upstairs all weekend, sipping tea and listening to Richardson's endless bragging over his daughter..."
MEANWHILE...
In Philadelphia, Mistress Stunlock arrived in front of a ramshackle apartment. She was in civilian clothes, sporting a sundress and gladiator sandals. Impatiently, she wrapped on the door.
It opened to reveal a slob of a man; his beer gut poked through his stained wife beater, and his red hair was matted to the point of looking like it was yanked from the shower drain before resting atop his head.
"Oh, if it isn't the crazy little sister."
"Hello, disappointing older brother," she said.
"You can't have come here to insult me. State your business, or I'm shutting the door."
"Master is back on the Wendigo case."
"Ha! Call me when it's time for the funeral, goodbye."
"Wait! The freshman 15! You just need to watch him, and make sure he doesn't sneak off from the All Star league during the contest."
The door, mere centimeters from being closed, stopped.
"The whole league is going to be there?"
"Yes, why?"
"No reason. I will do this favor for you, but I want 3 plus ones."
"You have that many friends, older brother?"
"Go! Get!"
"Alright... Thanks, Cuchulainn."
"Don't call me that name; I quit, remember?"
She was already half-way gone, by that point. The former sidekick thus closed his door, and immediately picked up the phone.
"Yo Hash, I scored us an opportunity. Let's push the plan forward..."
BACK AT THE ASYLUM...
It wasn't until the end of block 2 that the group finally stumbled upon something. At the last cell, looking at the corpse of a guard trapped inside, was a woman with chestnut skin and a blue Mohawk.
"Juniper! There you are," Sandra exclaimed, happy to see her friend safe.
"What are you doing here? I ain't letting you take me in again," she said while point a gun at Dmitri, her voice that of an gruff man.
"Oh lord, she's possessed!"
"Quick, get my exorcist kit."
"I can't find it, Sandra! Did you forget it at the gas station?"
"Lead-foot?"
The three panicking teenagers stopped and turned towards the John, asking simultaneously,
"Who's Lead-foot?"
"He was a criminal possessing a power that made him tricky in situations like this."
"You mean where he possesses the body of college girl?"
"No, when he had a gun in his hands!"
BANG
Lead-foot, controlling Juniper, shot at the ground. Like a pinball, the bullet ricocheted close to a dozen times, eventually striking the dream catcher Dmitri had just finished sneaking out of his pocket.
"Watch yourself! Don't think you can fool me! I may be bad at driving, but i'm onto... Wait, did I really just bounce that bullet 12 times? This girl's power is amazing!"
"Really," Juniper suddenly asked, her voice now matching her person.
"Totally! I could do 1, maybe 2 bounces tops when I was alive! You're brain is crazy genius, gurl!"
"Ah, I'm flattered. You know, I always wished I had something flashier than 'analytical mind.'"
THWAP!
Their conversation interrupted, Juniper looked down to see a tranquilizer dart embedded in her chest.
"Aw snap," both voices said at once, before collapsing.