Exodus by R.J. Wolf

the subject up and bring it inside now!”  The man was nearly yelling at the top of his lungs.
    “It’s…it’s alive.  They promised us no problems, said we wouldn’t have to deal with anything.  Look at it Dr. Young.”  The skinny man pointed.
    The bag was flopping about like something was trying to rip its way out.  The imprint of hands could be seen clawing against the black nylon material.
    “Oh dear!”  Dr. Young exclaimed.
    “You’re damn right oh dear.  There’s somebody alive in there mister.  Come on Earl help me get this thing open.”  
    “You don’t understand.”  Dr. Young said calmly.  “You’ve already seen too much.”
    Patterson and Earl looked at each other dumbfounded.  They were still trying to decide what to do when another man walked out of the front door directly towards them.  He was at least seven feet tall and built like an NFL quarterback.  His dark brown hair hung over his angled face covering his eyes.
    “Oh yes Daniels please do something about this.”  Dr. Young pointed at the black bag.
    Reaching for his utility belt Daniels pulled out a long silver coated syringe.  He knelt down beside the bag and smirked at Earl and Patterson.  Then raising his hand to eye level he stabbed the syringe into the bag.  There was a quick jerk and the squirming stopped immediately.  Daniels huffed and then stood back up.
    “Drop that off and then do something with these two.”  Dr. Young said dismissively.
    Daniels tossed the bag over his shoulder and headed back inside.  Earl and Patterson shared anxious glances.
    “Now…now we still get paid, right?”  Earl stuttered.
    Dr. Young smiled.  “Oh yes, of course.  Daniels will be back shortly to sort that out.”
    Earl grinned at Patterson and winked.  Patterson nodded back at him then turned to Dr. Young.
    “And…and what about that bag?  We was told no trouble.”
    “I’m certain Daniels can more than accommodate for any inconvenience.  Ah here he comes now.”  Dr. Young raised his hands and walked towards him.  He paused and whispered something into Daniels ear and headed inside.
    “Uh Dr. Young there said you’d have our money.”  Earl said anxiously.
    Daniels smiled at him.  “If you two will follow me.”  He said calmly.
    Steve watched as the three men headed around the building and entered through the mesh gates.  They slowly closed behind them and the men disappeared out of sight.  Moments later there was a loud crack, followed by another, and then complete silence.
    “That was a gun.”  Mikey jumped up from the backseat.
    “No way.  That could’ve been anything.”  Nickie said dismissively.
    “We need to get out of here.”  Steve said as he reached for the key.
    Nickie grabbed his hand and stopped him.  “No, look.”
    Up ahead the gate was starting to open again.  Daniels stepped out with the lifeless bodies of Earl and Patterson hoisted over each of his shoulders.  In four strides he was back at their SUV.  He tossed the limp bodies into the back and slammed the lid shut.
    Nickie gasped and covered her mouth.  Steve looked on in shock as Daniels turned around and headed back inside.  He waited for a few minutes to pass then cranked up the car and pulled off in silence.
    Once they were on the main road and were certain they weren’t being followed, Steve finally spoke.
    “Okay, I think it’s safe to say that’s the place we’re looking for.”
    “Yeah, but there’s no way we’re getting in there.  They killed those guys.”  Mikey said grimly.
    “More reason to get in there.  What do you think they’re gonna do with Anthony?  And who was in that bag?  I say we go tomorrow.”
    Mikey just shook his head and took a deep breath.  Nickie was still covering her face in the front seat.  She hadn’t said a word or moved since they’d left the LSK office.
    Steve stared at her for a moment and then looked back at the road.  “Mr. Clark is gonna flip huh?”