The heavy door finally creaked open with a mechanical groan that echoed through the walls, and Marlowe stepped inside. Her entrance was met with a wave of relief that passed between Serena and Lucian like a sudden gust of wind clearing dense fog.
She was dressed in the typical white coat and dark slacks of one of the council's laboratory specialists, her face partly obscured by a medical mask. Yet, despite the disguise, Serena recognized her immediately.
"Marlowe!" Serena exclaimed, her voice trembling with a strange mixture of disbelief and gratitude.
Completely forgetting about Salvador, Serena stood up abruptly, her balance slightly unsteady from exhaustion and lingering disorientation. She rushed toward Marlowe and threw her arms around her. She couldn't explain how grateful she was to see the woman at that point. She wasn't sure how Marlowe made it through, but she believed with the woman's presence their escape was sure.
