Tom shakes his head. It was dark outside, but it seemed eerily calm. He could see the
downtown landscape in the distance. He hoped Joy was okay. That's when he realized he
needed to phone Denise, and catch back up with her.
He crossed the room to the phone on the wall, taking it off the receiver and dialing his
home phone number. It rang. And rang. No one answered. He hung up and tried again.
Officer Ash's radio picked up some chatter.
"10-4, I'll meet you in the lobby." He spoke back into his radio. Tom hung up the
phone.
"Was that your backup?" He asked.
"Yea, I'm going out there to meet with them."
"You're not going out there alone again. I'll go." Tom ordered, stepping out into the
center of the room. "Listen, you stay here with these people, you'll be safe in here no
matter what happens out there."
Ash furrowed his brow at Tom. He obviously didn't like the sound of his plan.
"You, what's your name?" Tom asks the young woman in hospital scrubs.
"Rebecca." She answered.
"Rebecca, are you sure you know how to use that thing?" Tom asked, referring to the
handgun she held.
"My dad's a cop. I used to go shooting with him all the time."
Tom nods. "Then I need you to come with me."
Ash butts in. "No way. That's insane. Take me."
"Ash, listen to me. If anything happens out there, these people are going to need a
leader in here. I have years of training and combat experience, if anyone is going to make
it to that backup, it's me."
Ash shook his head. "I swear to God, major, if you let anything happen to the girl-"
"It's okay, officer. Really. I'll be okay." Rebecca tries to assure Ash.
Ash looks at his feet, sighing deeply. "I'll radio it in, they'll be expecting you. Be careful.
Please be careful."
Tom walks to the door, pushing the salad bar used to barricade the door to the side, and
opens the door. Poking his head out, he observes the hallway to be clear.
"Okay, stay by my side, keep your eyes open. We'll be okay." Tom whispers to Rebecca.
"Got it." She answers.
The two step out into the quiet hallway, closing the door behind them. They hear the
door being blocked again. Tom looks ahead.
"It's this way to the lobby, correct?"
"Yea. I'll point us in the right direction."