Escape

"Right. Note what color they are," Fran calls out. "That's, uh, important. Now, do you see my backpack anywhere?"

You scrabble through the bloodsoaked papers and come up with a green backpack. You zip it open: inside is a book and some more culture dishes. "Got it," you say.

"Come on back," she says. "And bring it -- "

With a whumpf a huge hand lands on your shoulder. "GRIBEN!" the man shouts, whirling you around. The other massive hand lunges at the backpack. Fran screams as the dishes are flung free and shatter on the floor.

Then you are twisting free and vaulting over the table, slip-sliding awkwardly on the papers and blood. "Come ON!" Fran screams, and when you leap through the door, she slams it behind you.

"Are you all right?" she asks you shakily.

"I think so," you wheeze. "It's hard to tell." Your shirt is a bloody mess.

"Oh good," she tells you distractedly. Then she falls silent. And before you can move, her eyes roll up into her head and she topples over backwards.

Continue with the mystery

An Access Excellence Science Mystery sponsored by Genentech, Inc.