Sleep

Danger

The wall exploded. The blast ruptured through the crack in the living room, the smog seeping through the cluttered hallway.

"There."

Hazmat suits rushed through the opening, staggering through the smoke and climbing over charred pieces of wood and littered debris. He spotted a creased photo exposed under a broken flower vase, and he plodded over carefully. He pulled the picture out and smiled at Tom's grin and Alisha's natural smirk.

"They are through there."

The man reached back to unscrew the tube connected to his pack, and he pulled the mask off his head. He struck a match, and Dr. Palmono's face shone through the smog, his eyes focused on the floor where the rest of the men were gathering.

"Where is she?"

"Over here."

Ms. Evans lay on the floor, enveloped by shattered glass and blood that trickled under the coffee table. Palmono shook off his gloves.

"Sir, it's not safe."

"It's alright, David. Let me in."

Palmono's hands trembled as he gently placed his fingers on her cheek, which felt clammy and lifeless. He reached down, and his eyes widened when he sensed movement.

He let out a cold laugh.

"Incredible," Palmono muttered. "She has a pulse. Come, help me lift her up."

The men hurried over and hoisted her up, her body dangling over their outstretched arms.

"Leave the other girl," Dr. Palmono hissed. "She isn't needed."

He roamed over to Alisha's stiff body and frowned. He pulled out a gun and held it to her head, his finger floating above the trigger. He laughed again, resting the gun on her chest and leaning forward until his lips were close to her ear.

"You'll be glad to know that the pod is made out of borosilicate glass," Palmono whispered. "Otherwise, your brother would be dead."

Alisha opened her eyes. "I'll kill you."

"You kill me, I kill your brother." He pulled out a small device. "This is connected to Tom's neck. I push this, your brother is dead." Palmono sighed. "You try and cut the device out of him, he's also dead."

"Go to hell."

Palmono chuckled. "So fierce. Like your mother."

"Don't you dare talk about my mother," Alisha shouted.

"Keep... your voice down. Now, if you want to escape without my men knowing, here's what you need to do."