"They don't care about you. If we split up, you can make it to safety while I lead them away."
"And then what? You bleed out in some corner of the prison?" She shakes her head firmly. "Not happening."
"You don't owe me anything."
"This isn't about owing. This is about not abandoning someone who needs medical care." Her jaw sets stubbornly. "We stick together."
I should argue. It's the logical move. But something selfish in me is grateful for her refusal. Not just because I need her medical skills, but because in this nightmare, her presence is the one thing keeping me grounded.
"Okay," I concede. "Together. But we need to move fast. They're getting closer."
We leave the security office and continue down the corridor, moving as quietly as possible. The loading dock is on the lowest level, requiring us to find stairs down.
As we round a corner, we nearly collide with a prison guard. Young guy, probably new, looking terrified. His eyes widen at the sight of me—bloody, armed with a shank, clearly an inmate.
He reaches for his radio, but I'm faster despite my injury. I slam him against the wall, pressing the shank to his throat.
"Don't," I warn quietly.
The guard freezes, eyes darting between me and Rebecca.
"Please," Rebecca steps forward, hands raised placatingly. "We're not going to hurt you. We just need to get out."
The guard swallows hard. "You're... you're with him? Willingly?"
"Yes," she says firmly. "He protected me during the riot. We just want to get somewhere safe."
I can see the guard processing this, confusion written across his young face. "The CERT team is retaking the east wing right now. They'll secure this area soon."
"Where are they now exactly?" I ask, keeping my voice calm but maintaining pressure on the shank.
"B block. Moving toward C."
Good information. That gives us time.
"Keys," I say, nodding toward the ring on his belt. "Hand them over."
He hesitates, then slowly reaches down and unclips the key ring. I take it with my free hand.
"Radio too."
He surrenders his radio.
"What's your name?" Rebecca asks him suddenly.
"M-Miller. Officer Miller."
"Officer Miller, I'm Nurse Johnson. I need you to tell me the fastest way to the loading dock from here."
Her calm, professional tone seems to steady him. "Down this hall, take the left stairwell to basement level, then follow the signs for Receiving."
I ease the pressure of the blade but don't remove it completely. "Is there anyone stationed at the loading dock right now?"
"Shouldn't be. Everyone was called to help contain the riot."
I nod, then make a decision. "Turn around, hands against the wall."
He complies, trembling slightly. I use his own handcuffs to secure him to a pipe running along the wall, tight enough to hold him but not enough to cut off circulation.
