Mission Impossible
“Alright, so tomorrow, Bayley is givin’ us all a ride to the labs, since she has the largest car. From what Stephanie texted us earlier, we’re only takin’ vitals, so as they walk us to the back or wherever they take us, look around for any exit points. When the trials are over, Bayley will take us back to Charlotte’s house while Finn keeps watch at the labs. When he sees all the cars leave, he’ll shoot us a text and we’ll head out. Sasha will pick the lock, Bayley will stay in the car to get away, and Charlotte and I will grab Paige. Finn is goin’ to stay to keep watch, just in case Steph shows back up. Clear?” The three girls and Irishman nodded as Becky recited the plan.
It had been three days since the initial meeting of her new found friends. They went to the lab as if nothing happened in those three days, however they were spent with bated breath. Even Finn, who was roped into this by Becky, was nervous about what was to come. Charlotte spent the three days in complete focus. She threw herself into everything she did, from working out, to strategizing, even getting proper rest. In her mind, she was ready.
Today, taking vitals couldn’t have taken any longer for Charlotte. Every time she heard her heartbeat on that stupid monitor it felt like another year was taken off of her life. They took the four of them separately, as to be more time efficient. Charlotte was taken to one of the back rooms by a man named Hunter. He wasn’t talkative, so it was a good opportunity to scope out any doors or windows. Jackpot! As the walked down the long hallways and into a large opening, she caught glimpse of a side door with an exit sign above it, She would be sure to mention the to Becky.
Finally, Charlotte was let out by Hunter, who proved to be a jolly man by the time they were done with all the tests. Charlotte’s vitals were “extremely perfect for the trials”, which slightly surprised her. She expected her heart rate to be at a resting heart attack, but alas she let out a breath of relief. The ride to her house was silent. You could hear a mouse breathe in that car. It was unsettling. For the short time she knew the three girls, one thing they didn’t do was quiet. Becky was constantly making a joke, Bayley was always laughing and Sasha was always telling them how unfunny Becky was. Charlotte wasn’t quite sure where she fit in, but she would figure it out soon enough.
Six hours. Six hours they waited in agonizing silence for Finn’s go ahead. Six hours of nerve racking contemplation. Were they really doing this?
Operation: Goth Girl is a go!
Charlotte shook her head as she looked at the message. There was no turning back whatsoever.
They met Finn at the lab at about 7:45. Charlotte felt uneasy when she got out of the car to lead Sasha and Becky to the exit from earlier. It got even worse when Sasha took out her “old friends”. The lock seemed to give her no trouble, she worked quickly with the picks as well as with purpose. And just like that, the door was opened.
“Ya ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Charlotte huffed as she entered the building. The mission was simple enough; go in, grab Paige, and get out as soon as possible. However, no matter how simple the plan was, it was Mission Impossible for Charlotte. Thankfully, Becky seemed to know this place fairly well, so she led the way with ease. “You know,” Becky chuckled, “for a top secret lab, this place sure don’t have much security.” Becky was right, there wasn’t any security, not even a padlock or guards.
“Prolly whatever’s in here. I mean, there’s no doubt that there is somethin’ here what us after what Steph said.”
That really did not help Charlotte’s nerves. They came to the clearing. The wall. They were right in front of that room. No obstacles. Just that door. So why couldn’t Charlotte bring herself to wrap her hand around the handle like the first day? She took a deep breath. She could do this. She extended her shaking hand and wrapped it around the cool metal.
She pulled the hefty door open. Becky quickly made her way in, Charlotte coming in right after her.
There she was. Paige was still huddled in the corner, twitching uncontrollably. Charlotte heard Becky gulp as they began to step closer to the girl. Unlike the last time, the room wasn’t completely freezing, although still chilly. Becky leant against the glass of Paige’s prison. She didn’t move, not even an inch.
“Hey crazy, it’s Becky. My friend is gonna get ya outta here, all right?”
Charlotte scanned the cell. There didn’t seem to be a door in sight. They’d have to break it. Wonderful, they already broke into a top secret lab, now they were going to shatter their cell? Just great. “Hey, Bex, go grab me something I can throw at the cell.” Becky gave a curt nod as she ran off. Now it was a waiting game. She looked at the shell of a girl in front of her. How could someone do this to another person? She knew it wouldn’t get through to her, but Charlotte just felt the need to talk to her. “Hey, I don’t know you, and you definitely don’t know me but, we’re getting you out. How does that sound?” Paige shifted slightly at Charlotte’s voice. “I’m Charlotte. The others have told me a lot about you. I heard you used to wrestle, too. I think we would’ve given all the guys in the back a run for their money, you and I.” Charlotte chuckled. Paige shifted closer to the glass; closer to Charlotte. “They told me about your girlfriend, too. We’re gonna bring you home to her. I promise.” She looked up. Her eyes were sunken in and bloodshot, like she hadn’t slept for months. She was scared, Charlotte could tell. Her pale face glistened with sweat and tears. “Sonya.” Paige whimpered.
“I got a rolly chair and some pipes!” Becky runs in, pushing the chair filled with pipes in front of her. Charlotte smirked; Perfect. Becky met Charlotte at the cell, handing her one of the pipes from the chair. The pipe wasn’t as heavy as Charlotte had expected, but it should do the trick. She swung it back, bringing it forward with all her force. The pipe bounced off of the glass and buzzed in Charlotte’s hands. Next to her, Becky tried the same also to now avail. Charlotte tried again, swinging with everything she has. The pipe bounced back with a bit less force than first swing, but this time where the pipe hit, the glass began chipping. Charlotte started swinging rapidly, her muscles ached and her hands burned from gripping the pipe but she’d be damned if they weren’t getting this girl out. Paige had sunk back into her corner, watching her saviors hack at the glass with something she hadn’t had in weeks: Hope.
Charlotte threw down her pipe in exhaustion and assessed the damage she and Becky had done. The cell was cracked to hell and back but Charlotte couldn’t swing the pipe any longer. The cold metal had grown heavy and freezing in her hands. Becky was tired too, she could tell. She was propping herself up with it like a cane to catch her breath. Charlotte’s eyes darted to the chair and she got a wicked idea. She huffed as she brought herself to the chair, knocking off the remaining pipes from the seat. Charlotte let out a yell as she picked up the chair and chucked it with her remaining strength at the cracking cell.
The glass shattered around the chair like as if the glass was merely a window in a violent hail storm. They did it. Charlotte ran through the glass without a care, making a beeline for the girl still in the cell. Charlotte bent down to pick the girl up but something stopped her. She didn’t know what it was but something hit her. Something hit her hard.
“CHARLOTTE!”
Charlotte felt like she had just been hit by a semi. She fell back quick, her body hitting the cold concrete and jagged glass like a ragdoll. Charlotte saw stars. Her vision began to blur with red and every part of her body hurt like a bitch. It almost didn’t feel like she was in her own body anymore. Is this what it’s like to die? How ironic would it be for her to die now. Charlotte figured she would get her life back on track now that she had new friends and a temporary source of income. She had just paid off her bike, too. At least it wasn’t in vain. At least she was helping someone. Charlotte would rather die million deaths than see someone like that ever again. Thankfully, she wouldn’t have to. Thankfully it would all be over soon. She was okay with it. In fact, she was slightly happy; maybe she’d get to see Reid again. This was definitely worth it to Charlotte.
Every breath she took burned coming in and going out. She felt her lungs swell smaller with every shaking breath she took. This was it. This was really it.
“CHARLIE!” A familiar accent called to her. It sounded so far. Maybe it was Charlotte’s last chance to reach out and live. She was so far. Becky was too far. But somehow, for some reason, Charlotte held on to her voice. Charlotte didn’t let go; she wouldn’t let go. The heavenly rasp felt closer to her every time her name was screamed. In any other situation, Charlotte would be proud of her name being screamed. In this situation though, she just felt weak.
Sweet Irish nothings were whispered into her ear as sticky hair was brushed away from Charlotte’s face. Charlotte felt like she was being lifted from her bed of glass, shards sticking in her arms and back. Had Becky picked her up? Charlotte refused to open her eyes; her head just hurt too much. One thing lingered in her mind, though: Paige. Where was she? Is she okay? Did they save her? OR were they too late?
“B-Bex? Where’s Paige?” Charlotte was screaming at herself, with every word her head throbbed painfully and with every syllable her throat felt as if someone had just sanded it down.
“Ssh. She’s fine, Finn’s got her in the car. Try not to talk, love, I can tell it’s killin’ ya.”
Charlotte let out a sigh of relief. That was all that mattered. Charlotte obliged Becky’s advice, not talking the whole way to the car. She felt Becky lay her down in the car, taking the seat next to her and laying her head in her own lap. Charlotte finally opened her eyes, her head screaming at her. Becky’s face was tear stained, Sasha was looking at Charlotte with pure concern as Bayley focused on the road.
“You’re crazy.” Sasha shook her head with a slight giggle. Charlotte couldn’t help but chuckle along, ignoring her headache. Soon, the whole car erupted in a sweet laughter. Besides the fact the Charlotte definitely needed medical attention, she was content as she held up her hand, throwing up four of her fingers.