When she stepped off, the laboratory was dark and a light was showing under Dr. Van de Vliet's office door. Good. She swiped her card in the reader next to the laboratory air lock and went in. Another swipe and she was on the elevator down to the subbasement, where she was not authorized to be. She went to the second door and slipped her card through the slot, wondering what she would see. The room was dark and smelled of alcohol and disinfectant. She quickly closed the door behind her before turning on the overhead fluorescents. Alexa Hampton was secured to the bed with restraints, and she appeared to be sedated, though she did slowly open her eyes as the light flickered and then stabilized. There was a wheelchair in the corner. "Ms. Hampton, can you hear me?" she whispered, hoping not to alarm her. "Do you remember me? I was the one who helped you when you were first admitted." She watched as Alexa stared at her for a moment and then quietly nodded. "I . . . I want to get out of here." Her eyelids fluttered and then she closed her eyes again. "But I'm too weak. I can't move." "You're strapped down, love. Let me help you." She reached for the Velcro straps and then paused. Was this a decision she wanted to make? If I do this, it's the end of my career here. Have I lost my mind? What will I do after this? But if I don't try to stop them, God knows what . . . we could all end up convicted of criminal conspiracy and in prison. "That reporter friend of yours is here." She pulled open the straps, then helped Alexa sit up in the bed and swing her legs around. "I'm going to take you to him." "It's so horrible," Ally went on. She was settling into the wheelchair as though she expected it. Then she looked up, her eyes dazed. "Where are you taking me? 'Reporter'? Do you mean--" "Like I said I'm moving you into your friend's room." She rolled her to the door, then stopped and cracked it and peeked out. "Don't say a word dear," she whispered as she began pushing Alexa down the hall. There was a pale flickering light under the door at the end. "Debra and David and the others have all gone out to the diner down the road and Dr. Vee is in his office, probably running some last-minute computer simulations. But we need to be quiet." The fluorescent lights seemed to swirl overhead. This all feels so familiar, Ally thought. This is where I saw Kristen. Does Ellen know what happened to her? "You two have to decide what you want to do." "Stone? You're sure he's here?" "Yes," she said "and he's in some kind of battle of wills with Mr. Bartlett." When they reached the door at the end she tried it and it was locked. She pulled out her magnetic card and zipped it through the slot. As they went through, Ally realized the room was lit only by the glow of a laptop computer screen. "Stay here," Ellen said turning to leave. "I'm going to try to talk to Dr. Vee."