"Shit," Ellen said. "Sam, Gamora could be right. If the door guards were attacked, they weren't in on it so the fighters and the spectators are probably innocent. But some of the servers and guards might be involved."
"Gamora, keep your eyes peeled for anyone who might be armed."
Ellen moved hastily toward the door to the stairwell. She saw the large blue man, Ronjos Ronjoson, moving toward it as well. He'd lost his bout and didn't seem interested in watching the others. She ran to intercept him.
"Stop! Wait!" she called to him. She reached the door a step ahead of him. She grabbed the doorknob before he did, summoned heat to her right hand and melted the knob into a solid mass that would effectively weld it closed.
"What the hell are you doing?" Ronjoson roared. He clenched a fist as if prepared to punch her, but caught sight of her red hot hand and thought better of it.
"There are men coming to kill us," Ellen said.
"Us?"
"Everyone with powers. They've got special weapons just for the occasion."
"Let 'em come," Ronjoson growled. "I'll kick their asses."
"Did you miss the part about special weapons?"
Ronjonson scoffed. "I'm bulletproof."
Ellen fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Are you proof against armor-piercing explosive rounds? Just one nearly killed Thor. Are you as tough as Thor?"
Ronjonson's eyes widened and he seemed to deflate. "Thor? They nearly killed Thor? Holy shit!" He'd completely lost his strutting, self-important air and it made him a lot more attractive. "So what do we do?"
Ellen gestured at the door. "I've welded the lock shut. That will hold them, but not for long. You go spread the word amongst the other fighters. Let them know people are coming to kill us--make sure you mention the special weapons. If they can escape, they should. If they can help others escape, even better."
He nodded and turned away.
"Ronjos?" He turned back. "Some of the servers and guards might--I say again, might--be in on it. Watch your back. If you see them pulling weapons, holler."
He nodded again and moved toward the fighters waiting their turn in the ring.