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Right now, I’m running blind, and the fear is almost overwhelming, but I can’t stop now. I’m so close… I can feel it.
I’m about to try yet another door when a piercing wail goes off throughout the building, and I know my time is up because that is, without doubt, some kind of alarm that’s been raised because they’ve discovered I’m gone.
Slow and careful goes out of the window as I hear a cacophony of shouts and the heavy stamp of booted feet running. I pull open doors willy-nilly.
Dead-end room, dead-end room, urinal… I don’t bother closing the doors after myself; just sprint to the next one. Finally, I find a laundry room, and to my utter relief, I see what appears to be an exit door on the far side.
But my heart skips a beat when another sound stabs through the layers of fear and panic blanketing my mind.
Dogs.
Fuck.
Am I taking my life in my hand going through that door?
To hell with it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I suck in a deep breath, compose myself, and open the door.
I don’t rush. I don’t run. I know that will only incite any canine friends I might encounter. I’m well acquainted with attack dogs after living with the Viper. But I always knew those were there, whereas these dogs have taken me by surprise since I’ve never seen any sign of them before.
The cool night air hits my heated face, and I take a precious moment to allow my eyesight to acclimate to the darkness. A darkness that lasts all but a second. I don’t know if I’ve triggered it by stepping out, or if it’s a response to the alarm, but the space I’m in is suddenly floodlit with the wattage of a thousand football pitches, making it appear as light as day. So much for the cover of darkness.
“Stay positive,” I mutter under my breath. At least now I can see where I’m going.
There’s a high, razor-wire-topped fence all around me, but I’m also relieved to find a gate not too far away.
My mind runs riot as I approach it, and I find myself wondering if it’s electrified and I’m about to fry myself. I have no idea what I’m doing, but based on a couple of films I’ve watched, I pick up a stick from the ground, and fling it at the fence.
Nothing happens.
My relief is short lived when I discover the gate is not only locked and bolted, but also requires some kind of code.
Now what?
I’m not stupid enough to imagine I can crack the code before I’m caught, but I refuse to give up.
The sound of an engine catches my attention, and I peer around the side of the building, where I see the gates through which I was brought here are located. They swing open with each vehicle that passes through, and I know that’s my ticket out of here. There’s a guard booth, but there’s also a fair amount of chaos, so I walk around the corner, remembering one of those pearls of wisdom my mother instilled in me before she disappeared from my life. Act like you’re supposed to be there, and people will assume you are. I’m fairly certain none of the men scurrying around expect me to walk through this courtyard as bold as brass right in front of them, and the dogs sound like they’re on the opposite side of the compound. So that’s exactly what I do.
I keep my head down, thankful my hair is confined in a tight plait, and I had the foresight to pull on Ciaran’s jacket, which gives me a little more bulk. Then I hurry towards an open garage I can see on the other side of the yard, like I’m on some kind of business, but not so fast that I draw attention to myself.
Freedom is within my grasp. I can almost reach out and touch it. My only thought right now is to see if one of the vehicles is unlocked and might provide the possibility for me to stow away in it, since I know there’s no chance of me driving out of here.
Excitement and nerves swirl inside me. My abdomen clenches almost painfully, I have myself so tightly contained. And when I reach the building without gaining attention, or being caught, I can’t stop the little whimper that spills from my lips in a rush of relief.
I can’t believe my luck when I find a blacked-out SUV just sitting there idling with the driver’s seat unbelievably empty.
I look around, but no one is paying me any attention. My palms are sweating, and I rub them down my pants before I tentatively reach for the door handle.
And that’s where I make my mistake.
I’m so busy looking for the dangers around me it never occurs to me that there might be one from within, and not once do I check the back seats of the vehicle.
I’m half-way inside before I realize my mistake.
“Well, well, well…” a far too familiar voice remarks. “And here I thought this was going to be so much more difficult than you’ve made it.”
My yelp is cut off as I’m yanked the rest of the way through the door opening, hitting my shin on the running board as I topple face-first into Ciaran’s lap.
He grabs me by my hair, and I cry out at the sharp sting of pain as he hauls me in unceremoniously, then slams and locks the door behind me.
