Chaos erupted among the people as soon as they saw the two girls, and everyone halted in their places to see what was happening. Preston and Ryder came running to Valerie’s aid as soon as they saw the commotion. Even Ian, who had been watching all that was happening through his laptop, rushed out of his office immediately.

‘Dammit. Why didn’t I attack the girl right away?’ Valerie cursed herself as she continued to chase the young girl who was clutching the canister tight. Fortunately for her, the girl was focused more on escaping from her, completely forgetting about her mission.

Her reaction only made Valerie frown and she wondered why the young girl was even here in the first place. She did not seem to be a trained gang member. Otherwise, she would have released the virus right away on seeing her instead of running away from her. 

Seeing the girl rush towards them, the people in the hospital made way for her, unable to understand what was happening. All they could do was stare in disbelief silently.

Valerie realized that she was gaining an audience. Though she wished to pull out her gun and stop the girl, she thought otherwise. There were innocent people around her, and she could not risk hurting them. Moreover, the girl still was yet to realize the reason she was here which she had completely forgotten in the first place in her desperation.

Valerie frowned as she noticed the girl run out of the hospital from the side entrance, and for a moment she was relieved that she had left the hospital. But the moment she proceeded in the direction the girl had gone, Preston stopped her immediately. He shook his head at her, forcing her to stay back.

“What…” She started, only to find him shaking his head at her. He gestured her to stay silent while he pointed Ryder to take his place.

Preston then led her from the other side, confusing Valerie all the more. She gave him a questioning look but all she got was his silence in return.

It was only when they were away from the side entrance that Preston let her go. But he did not stop walking while Valerie followed him closely.

“What is happening, Preston? Why did you stop me?”

“Val, when Ryder and I were inspecting the premises we saw a gang of people here, and the girl had entered the hospital after speaking to them. If she is who we are looking for, then I presume she must have gone to them for protection.”

“Ahh, I see.”

The realization hit her and Valerie understood why Preston had stopped. The girl had run towards the right, and since it was a blind spot for Valerie who was following her, it was impossible for her to know if anyone was waiting for her on the other side. Although it was a public space, that did not stop them from being wary of their surroundings.

“Yes, although we do not know if the men are still here or not. I do not want to take any risks.” Preston and Valerie were out of the hospital and they moved towards the side entrance that overlooked the lawn.

“I understand, Preston. Thank you.” Valerie smiled at him which Preston completely missed and he pulled out his gun, ready for any situation.

“Don’t fire unless necessary,” Valerie warned him as she took the lead and moved closer to the spot where Ryder was waiting for them. All that remained was for them to take a turn and they would find out where the girl had gone. 

But this was where the problem lay. Since it was already night time, it was quite a dangerous feat for them to search for the girl without knowing where exactly she was. Moreover, she was probably not alone.

Valerie took a deep breath and nodded at Preston who nodded at her in reply before he stepped forward with his gun pointed in the front. But there was no one in his vicinity, except for a few nurses and some patients and he lowered his gun immediately lest he should scare them.

“Shit, Val. I cannot find her.” Preston grumbled while Valerie stood beside him surveying the place. 

“She must be somewhere here. Ryder is keeping an eye near the side entrance. It is impossible for her to have crossed it without him noticing her.”

“What if someone from the girl’s group has left with the canister of virus?”

Valerie’s eyes widened in fear as soon as she heard him and she rushed to where Ryder was hiding. Startled by their sudden presence, Ryder was almost prepared to strike them near their necks. But he stopped himself in time when Valerie dodged him briskly.

“Val, you should have given me a heads up. What if I had struck you?” Ryder complained and sighed in relief which Valerie ignored completely.

“Ryder, did anyone walk by this place?”

“No. I was right here. Nobody crossed this line.” Ryder drew a line in the air and Valerie let out a breath.

“The girl is here. We need to find her before she or her teammates take some drastic measures.”

“Where is she?” Ian almost gritted his teeth in anger, unable to believe how things had turned out to be. Danger was still lurking in the dark and they had to seize and get hold of the canister before it became too late.

“She is hiding, Doctor Davis. I need your help.” 

Although Valerie did not reveal her true emotions, Ian sensed her anxiousness and he gave her a cryptic look which only served to frighten her all the more. She knew why he was irked and she blamed herself for it. If not for her hesitating to capture the girl, they would not have been in this predicament. And Ian’s silence only added more to her guilt. How she wished for him to lash out at her and let his fury out.

“How may I help you?” Ian controlled his emotions and stared at her.

“Is there any other way to enter the hospital from this way?” Valerie pointed in the direction the girl had gone.

“No. They will have to enter from this entrance or the main entrance. What do you intend to do, Deputy?” Ian narrowed his eyes as he waited for her to continue while Preston scanned at his surroundings.

“I want to secure this part of the hospital. No one is allowed to enter here. This way, we may be able to capture the girl and her teammates without harming anyone.”

“Teammates? Is she operating in a group?” Ian was perplexed to find this information and he clenched his fists in worry.

“That is what we think. I do not want to take any risks.” Valerie licked her lips in helplessness while she waited for Ian to cooperate with her.

“Fine.” Ian relented after thinking about it for a few seconds. “I just hope nobody innocent is hurt.”

Even though Ian did not show it on his face, Valerie sensed the warning in his tone and she nodded at him immediately.

“I already messed it up once, I won’t do it again.”

Ian nodded at her with a frown. “My men will help you. You might need reinforcements.

With that, Ian started to call his men to where he was while Preston and Ryder started to evacuate the lawn while keeping an eye around them.