I drove the Humvee onto the street where the Doctor resided, and a peculiar silence lingered in the atmosphere. The pallid radiance of the streetlights instantly captured my focus. They cast a bizarre, otherworldly light that illuminated the dark paved road and seemed to suck the life out of the surroundings, lending no warmth or comfort to the otherwise desolate street. It was as if I had entered a world devoid of all life and color, where a cruel and uncaring entity drained everything of its very essence.
The hum of my engine seemed out of place against a backdrop of such dead silence, and a sense of dread washed over me. I felt a strange sense of foreboding as I looked around, my heart racing as I wondered what kind of horrors awaited me further down this seemingly forsaken road. 'What was about to unfold here?'
The few cars parked along the street were all covered in dust, and the lawns were overgrown and uncut, indicating that this house had been vacant for quite some time. The scene supports what I have observed over the past few weeks. It was as if a cloud of sadness hung heavy in the air, shrouding this place in an aura of despondency. As the shadows grew more profound, I began to feel uneasy in the pit of my stomach.
On this eerie, desolate street, I brought the combat vehicle to a complete stop. In the darkness, the only sounds that broke the deafening silence were the low hum of the engine and the soft crunch of gravel beneath my tires. As I slowly confirmed my rifle was loaded and ready, my senses were on a heightened alert, prepared to react to any threat that might present itself. I couldn't help but wonder if all the madness was just a figment of my imagination, born out of stress and anxiety. But no, there were no illusions here. I took a moment to survey the surroundings, taking the time to absorb this affluent neighborhood's out-of-place calm ambiance.
It was a far cry from the chaos and destruction I had seen elsewhere in the city—no infernals, no crazed people or undead freaks here. There was no indication that anything out of the ordinary had occurred in this seemingly safe and quiet place. For a moment, it felt as though this world belonged to a different reality altogether, one untouched by the horrors and chaos I'd witnessed over the course of the day.
As the Colonel made a hand gesture, snapping me out of my bewildered state, I realized the situation was more dire than I had imagined. The Colonel's long rifle safety was now off, indicating we were no longer in a safe, quiet place. My sense of tension and alertness suddenly heightens, and I quickly scan my surroundings, looking for any signs of danger. The realization sent a chill down my spine as I braced for whatever might be coming our way. We must remain focused and vigilant. I had to stay alert and close to the Colonel to survive this mission. We would have to fight our way out of this mess and find the Doctor. I just hoped he was still alive.
I can hear the fifty-caliber mounted gun rotating on its rail above, a sign that Collins is keeping a vigilant watch. After a brief pause, I park the Humvee in front of the target home. As I step out of the armored military vehicle, I stay vigilant. I continue looking out for any signs of danger or suspicious activity. It is essential to be alert and cautious, even in seemingly safe and peaceful neighborhoods. A split second of distraction could cost us our lives. However, the coast seems clear at the moment, and nothing suspicious catches my attention.
I take a moment to evaluate the target home in question, observing any potential entry points, hiding spots, or signs of the Doctor's presence. My senses are heightened, my heart rate quickens and every nerve in my body is on edge. Despite my apprehension, I must stay focused and alert to ensure the mission's success. At the center of a block of dwellings stands a four-story house. The locality's population comprises numerous doctors, lawyers, and stockbrokers.
"Sano, take the driver's seat. Armstrong, Adams, Giannetti, and I will retrieve the Doctor and her family. Kennedy, keep the comms open and get us a bird's eye view. Collins, keep your eyes peeled. You have command, Lawson," Colonel Black said. "If it gets too hot, buggy out. We'll secure transport and meet at the rendezvous point," he added.
The four of us exit the vehicle at the same time. I switch my safety off and scan the nearby area. 'When I woke up this morning, I never thought I'd be doing this shit again.' The Colonel signed for Adams to take point. As we creep up the steps, I take the left side of the door, and Black takes the right. Armstrong stays back as Adams prepares to open the door, but the door is unlocked. Adams pushes inside, and I follow in close behind him.
The foyer is clear as we enter, and I pan into the living room with Adams. Armstrong and Black cleared the kitchen. Every moment that passes feels like an eternity, fear and anticipation building within me with every tick of the clock as we make our way through the house's first floor.
It didn't look like anything had gone down here. A typical upper-class household. No signs of a struggle or break-in. We moved to the den and found the same picture. There was no evidence that anyone was in danger. We met the others at the base of the stairs. Like a well-trained machine, we moved upstairs, clearing each floor. Still, there was nothing of note to suggest anyone was in danger. It didn't feel right, and the Colonel felt the same way.
"The safe room is in the basement," Colonel Black explained, his voice low and cautious. "A secret elevator grants access from each floor. Search for the access point around the center of the house." I exchange a tense but understanding glance with Armstrong as we both acknowledge the order.
I took a moment to absorb this information, scanning the surface of the house for any hints of the secret elevator's location. Something about the whole situation felt off, the unnatural stillness of the neighborhood coupled with the unusual level of security.
"Keep your wits about you," the Colonel added, a note of concern in his voice. "Something's off."
I nodded, prepared to face whatever might lie ahead.
"Yes, sir," I responded, gripping the hilt of my rifle just a little tighter. I couldn't let my guard down, not now, not ever. With a quick nod to the Colonel, we moved to the center of the house.
His words are a stark reminder of the danger we face. I take a moment to center myself, my heart rate beginning to stabilize and my nerves calming a bit. We must approach this mission with caution. I peeled off, looking for the access point he mentioned. It wasn't hard to find what he asked for. The center core of the made it obvious where to look. Armstrong found the access first.
"Colonel, over here," Armstrong said over comms.
The Colonel swiftly makes his way over to Armstrong and me as we begin removing the wall panel. As Armstrong works to disengage the panel, the Colonel dials a code into a hidden keypad. A moment later, the face of a red-haired woman appears on the display, her sharp gaze immediately sizing us up. I observe the female Doctor's appearance with closer attention, taking in every detail with the keen eye of a detective. However, she looks like a princess straight out of a fairy tale, something about her feels far more ominous.
She appears confident and authoritative with her sophisticated clothing and polished behavior, making me uneasy. And I'd only seen her through a monitor on the wall. Her poise and presence are reminiscent of a noblewoman, yet there's also a calculating edge to her that has me on edge. The Doctor dresses in a stylish white dress with a plunging neckline and slit sleeves; Dr. Sofia Fry looks like a vision of beauty, her soft, pale skin and striking ruby lips exuding a seductive, alluring quality. Her red hair hangs past her shoulders in gentle waves, and her slim figure eight physique is draped in the dress in a way that reveals her stunning curves, although they don't seem distracting to the Colonel for some reason.
Her red hair frames her gorgeous face in soft, long curls, the color of fire matching the intensity of her gaze. She is petite and feminine looking, with soft angular cheeks and large upturned eyes that give her a youthful appearance despite the stress and weariness that seems to have taken hold of her face. Delicate features frame her oval-shaped slender face, and her long curly hair almost glows in the dim light of the hidden room she seeks refuge in. Her soft demeanor and kind smile seem at odds with the image of the ruthless soldier we had expected to encounter. However, her piercing blue eyes betray her true nature, filled with calculating intelligence. I didn't have to guess that this must be the Doctor they were pursuing.
With sharp, glistening azure blue eyes and full ruby lips, the Doctor appears to be everything a man like the Colonel or any of us could dream of. Despite her beauty, she seems to be nothing more than a beautiful young woman. However, something about her feels off, as if she were hiding some terrible secret. Her pale skin is practically glowing in the dimmed light, contrasting sharply with her vibrant red hair. She kept her long curly locks of hair in a long braid, exposing the smooth and delicate, porcelain-like skin of her face.
Those pointed ears, and those azure blue eyes are almost otherworldly, giving her a mysterious and intimidating presence. Her striking features draw the eye immediately, her pale skin and sharp features contrasting against her fiery red locks. I can't help but feel drawn to her, but I know that I should remain cautious as her true intentions remain unclear. I only knew what the Colonel had informed me about this Doctor we were risking our lives to extract. It seemed prudent to be judicious until we were all back at the hospital safe.
"Doctor Sofia Fry?" the Colonel said. "I'm Colonel Malcolm Black, and my team is here to extract you and your family to the Bellevue safe zone.
"I understand; let me get my sisters ready to travel. Oh, are you sure it's safe to leave?" Doctor Fry asked.
"Ma'am nowhere in the city is safe to travel right now. If you want to get to safety, now is the time to leave," the Colonel said.
"Alright," the Doctor said.
We wait as the Doctor gathers her family and prepares to meet us. A few moments later, the sound of an elevator comes from behind the wall. The sound stops, and the wall opens up, exposing an elevator door. A few seconds later, the elevator doors slide open with a quiet hiss, revealing four gorgeous petite redheads. I raise my eyebrow. The fourth woman with red hair quickly catches my attention.
"Huh, whose this?" I whispered under my breath.
'The Colonel didn't brief us about a fourth person.' I only knew of the good Doctor and her siblings. However, this additional person seemed to be a doctor as well. I could only hope the Colonel had intel on who this person was, as he did not seem surprised in the least bit, which was a little concerning. 'What else did he not tell us?'