"Open it? But if I do that..." They'll find him. They'll come in and they will hunt him out wherever he hides. They'll drag him back into the darkness forever, and then they'll get Adia. Maybe they'll take her first. They'll certainly touch her. She only grabbed at them for a few moments before and he can still see the blood on her face.

But they'll come for him first. He feels that instinctively. Can recall with terrifying clarity the determination in those claws clamping around him, blocking his sight...

There's another kind of clarity too, though. Someone has to distract them. Someone has to keep them busy so Adia can use the syringe. He certainly can't do that part. And Blaze or no Blaze... it has to be done. He's quiet for a moment or two, working on the security. It's a little better than that on the door, but it's a similar system and now it's familiar to him.

"I'll have the panel here open in a minute. When you're ready... when I open the door... be fast. Please."