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Chapter 84

Chapter 84

I was laying awake despite exhaustion. This time, not from my shock collar.

It's fake, it's fake you idiot. How couldn't it be? That is what these people do! Mike was not involved, no way in hell. It's Mike! He would not sign his daughter away.

Mike would not do this. But my god, what if he really did? Reid Taylor was good at manipulating because he knew I could see through his shit. When he tried manipulating me, he did so in an obvious, mocking, and teasing manner. So why would he show me documents like that, in such a serious manner, and not shove it in my face? That was a red flag that he wasn't manipulating me.

Wrapped in Luke's coat under the covers, body still damp from another routine hose-down, I wondered about it all. Wondered once again how they got Luke's coat. What could possibly have happened to Luke. Wondered if Mike sold Hailey or not. Wondered if Reid was just that good or if this was real.... The possibilities made me shake, breathe hard, fists clench. I was getting worked up, my thoughts more frantic. What was the truth? Real? Was Luke dead and his father a monster?

Laying there, my mind ran in circles. Screaming, looking at all angles, arguing back and forth... thinking about everything. But why was I suddenly allowing myself to think? I needed to calm down. There was a reason I didn't allow myself to wonder about these things. For my sanity, for the focus my plan required, I couldn't afford to get distracted and emotional.

It had to stay that way. Reid was playing games. That's what I would have to believe for now.

For the rest of that night, it allowed me to contemplate my evolving plan. It allowed me to accept the steps I would have to take. I've also accepted that I couldn't have another restless night after tonight. Tomorrow night, I needed my sleep because the night after that... well, it could be my last.

It could be my last night alive tomorrow. Yup. That delightful knowledge was a surefire way to help get me plenty of sleep, right guys? Fuck me.

***

My plan was simple. As simple as I could get it: kill Reid during dinner and escape right through the huge dining room window. Though it was a simple plan, it did take some very precise and scary steps. Unfortunately, that did involve Hailey.

My heart was racing the entire day; the pace doubled when I saw her. I was quiet and focused as she got me ready. She assumed my silence was for a different reason. "Yesterday and today, you've hardly said a word. Any reason?"

"No."

"It's not because you saw the proof about my dad?" As she straightened the shoulder straps of my tight dress, her gloating eyes looked up to mine.

I couldn't help but scoff. "The fact that you refer to it as 'proof' says a lot."

All I could do was watch her. Size her up. Her uniform complimented her style as always. Her grey polo was unbuttoned towards the top, showing a little cleavage, and had frills. The black pencil skirt highlighted her hips. Next time I see her, I really hope she will be finally out of those clothes.

She was nearly finished getting me ready, touching up my hair with a pick. My eyes darted up to the camera angled in the corner. The whole dressing room was in its sight. Except for one spot: the bathroom next to her vanity. Its where I needed to lure Hailey.

That dressing room bathroom won't just save my ass today. A few days ago, her bathroom was where I managed to find a permanent spot to hide the tracking device: in a vent. After all, I couldn't risk doing it in my own bathroom. They might search there. But they won't even think to search Hailey's bathroom. Therefore, everything will be fine. The FBI will come, take over, and free Hailey. Even if my escape attempt ends with me dead, I will have succeeded in taking this place down. Which is why I could emotionally handle what I was about to do.

I hiked my breath up to an uneven pace to draw her attention. Honestly, it wasn't that hard. She lowered the pick and looked me over with annoyance. "You okay?"

"I... I feel just... I don't know," I said, trying to take smooth even breaths. I took a step back and rested my hands on my head, still breathing hard. "I don't feel good, I'm really warm all of a sudden...."

Her eyes narrowed on where my hands were. "You'll be fine. Now let me fluff the hair you just wrecked."

Before she could reach my hair with the pick again, I dropped my arms and turned. Headed towards the bathroom. Then I said one of the few things that would make her follow. "Let me just splash some water in my face first," I said as I entered the bathroom and stopped at the sink.

"No, I just did your make-up!"

I watched her stomp through the door to stop me. And the second I knew she was clear of the camera, I grabbed her arm, and pulled her closer. With my free hand, I swiftly flung the door shut. "What are you do—"

When my hand left the door, I turned it into a fist and socked her in the face. Her head cocked back in shock, dark red lips agape and exclaiming in pain. My grip on her arm didn't let up and I pulled her with me even farther into the bathroom. I hated hurting her, but after that first punch, that was my plunge. That was the start. I couldn't go back.

My fist cocked back, and this time, I punched her in the stomach. A squeaky grunt left her as she doubled over. Still struggling, still trying to pull away. It brought a moment of de-ja vu. It felt like a life-time ago that I lured a different girl into a bathroom, beat the shit out of her, tied her up and snuck out. However, this ended a little different.

She tried to claw at me, grab and hit. I didn't blame the poor girl one bit. I blocked all but one of her attempts: she pulled my loose hair. It made me bare my teeth, but come on. I wasn't about cat fights. I pushed her back, and slammed my throbbing fist into her face again.

Yelling out in pain as blood seeped from her nose, she was stunned. Eyes dazed and blinking wide. Then, I grabbed her hair and gripped it tight. The blood around her nose smeared when I slammed the side of her face against the wall.

That's all it took. Hailey's body went limp and she fell to the floor. Laying slumped with the side of her face against the wall, her eyes were closed, and muscles relaxed. For a second, my chest jumped in absolute fear. I was scared I went too far in those few seconds. When I knelt next to her though and checked her breathing, I was relieved to see I only knocked her unconscious. Which wasn't the plan, but hey, made things easier for me.

I maneuvered her body to the middle of the floor on her back so she would be more comfortable and breathe easier. Poor girl. I had to stay confident that she will be okay. I won't lie, I was worried. I wanted to see her out of here and home with her family. God if she wasn't so brainwashed, I would have loved to take her with me now, but that couldn't happen. I had to tell myself that I will see her on the other side.

Though she was passed out, I ripped apart her shirt and used it to tie her hands to the base of the bare sink. Didn't need her waking up and wandering out while I'm still here.

Emerging from the bathroom alone probably looked suspicious. So for the camera's sake, I leaned towards the bathroom door I just shut behind me and said, "Hey, I'll be alright, I'm already cooling down. You just feel better yourself and take your time." Hopefully these dumbasses weren't watching too closely and would buy all of this.

Just as I turned and stepped in front of the vanity, I propped one hand on the edge. The other was busy fixing my hair in the mirror. My palm was on the corner, the ledge... just inches down was the top drawer of the vanity. It was out of sight of the camera, but mirrors are bitches. I needed to be extremely careful and slow for this because that small drawer... held what I needed most.

"And don't you fucking worry, I'm fixing my hair just for you! Don't have a heart attack," I mumbled in annoyance. Hey, had to be believable. You think I would happily fix my hair myself? For Mr. Asshole?

Nonchalantly letting my hand fall as I stood straighter, I grabbed the drawer handle and slid it slightly open with my movement. I tried not straining my arm; I didn't want to look as if I was reaching for anything. But I did what I could, my hand inching into the drawer and feeling around. I felt different types of bristles from all of her brushes and combs. Felt the hair straightener, then bingo! The smoothness of scissors that I knew she kept in here. I leaned in close to the mirror, as if to inspect my flushed make-up face. In that second, I slowly retrieved my hand with the scissors.

Standing up straight, I hid them in my palm well enough as I moved away from the mirror. Then I paused, standing with my side to the camera, leaving my left side out of the camera's eye. I pulled the hem of my dress higher, pretending to adjust myself. As I pulled up the hem towards my left hip, I 'straightened my panties.' Which was just me carefully sliding the scissors between my hip and the fabric of my underwear. Not like they would be able to tell. Suckers.

Yes, I know all this had to look a bit shady. It was the best I could do though, and I felt I did a decent job.

When the two men arrived a minute later to escort me to dinner, it was to escort me to dinner. Not because anything suspicious was reported and not because they needed to question me. However, they did find it weird when they walked through the door and it was just me standing there. The gentlemen looked between each other. The leaner one with short brown hair asked, "Why are you alone?"

I jutted a thumb behind me towards the bathroom. "She started not feeling good. She finished getting me ready though before needing the shitter so she said I was good to go whenever you guys get here."

"Whatever," the other guy said, gesturing for me to come along. He took out his card and swiped it to unlock the door. I followed them both out and into the hall.

I kept my breathing even. All that was left was dinner, kill Reid with my new weapon, and get the fuck out. However, I was wrong in thinking it would be that simple. I should have known. It was such a 'go fucking figure' moment, that a side of me wanted to laugh. I mean what are the chances that the day, the minutes, I'm acting out my plan... it's derailed.

After getting off the elevator on the 1st floor, we were nearing the dining room. My blue flats in step with the two men, one on each side of me, I could see the door in sight. My insides twirled. This would be it. This would be live or die.

Then, the bright white walls fell away. Off. The lights lining the hallway all died, leaving us in the dark.

Stopped in our tracks, I couldn't make out much. From what I could see of the men though, they stopped and were looking around and to each other. As for me, my eyes kept flicking forward. Not seeing what I know was there: the dining room door. I needed this to happen, I needed to finish this with no delay. Everything was on the fucking line and the lights were now out. My insides were jumbling at an unhealthy rate now. This better not change or delay dinner, it just better fucking not or I might just throw up.

"Does this happen often?" I sure fucking hope so.

They didn't answer me. When one of the men took my arm and guided me, it took me a moment to realize we were going back towards the elevator! There was no going back even if shit did just hit the fan. I couldn't, I already was too far in! "Where are we going? I need to have my dinner dude, I am starving. Sorry you guys are scared of the dark."

They didn't say anything, and my mind went into panic. This was not a part of the plan! I needed to go to dinner, I needed Reid to be there, and for there to be no hold-ups. I was too far in. Hailey would be found soon enough, and my only weapon would be found on me. I needed this to happen, needed this so bad! I needed to get out and had so much riding on today being the day.

"Hey, I want to fucking know what's going on!" I shouted, struggling and ripping my arm away from the guy, making us all come to a stop. "Why are you taking me back to my room?"

The one guy with a husky voice gripped my shoulder hard and kept me in place. "Something is wrong. We don't just lose power."

"Right because this high tech, bright-as-fuck, place that's littered with cameras has no reason to lose power... in the middle of the forest, in the side of a mountain. Yeah, I have no fucking clue either why the power could just go out."

Ignoring my words, the one man said to the other, "Take her back up, I'm going to check with maintenance and see what's going on."

The man swiftly moved down the hall, into the darkness. I could hear distant voices of confusion, but didn't care. I was freaking out. This wasn't going to stop me. It couldn't. If the power stays out, I could even use that to my advantage. No lights meant no eyes on me.

I was scared because there was no plan if I continued. But as the guy dragged me back down the hall, taking the stairs this time down to the floor I resided on, I could tell he was on edge too. This was very usual. And with how obviously paranoid they are, I'm sure every asshole in this place was on edge too.

In the end though, as he guided me one step at a time, I just couldn't do it. I couldn't wait, I couldn't care about my plan. I didn't even care about Reid at this point. For myself, my mind, I needed out of here. And I needed to get out of here today. Because with each step down, I was drowning!

Thankfully, he was on my right, gripping my right arm. With my left, I reached down and withdrew the scissors from under my tight dress. Oh god, I can't believe I'm doing this. This is nuts, you have no plan... fuck, I'm doing this! There was a small window at the top of the staircase shaft that allowed a little bit of light in. Just enough to see his outline. Cross your fingers that was all I would need.

When we reached the small square landing that guided us towards another set of stairs down, I gripped the scissors handle. Then I stepped in front of the tall man, turned inward to him, and almost too simply sank the long scissors into his chest.

He didn't expect it. His grip on my arm let go as he grunted, and it allowed me to back off a bit. I didn't waste any time! I took advantage of his shock, pulling the scissors out, then stabbing him again. This time hard in the chest. The smell of sweat and iron clouded my nostrils. The front of my dress was becoming wet. Wet with each stab because I didn't stop. He wasn't dead and I kept stabbing him to be safe! I didn't stop plunging into his chest until I watched the outline of his body fall.

My grip on the scissors was covered in blood. I was hidden in the shadows. Everything was silent except for my heavy breathing. For what was at stake, there was no contemplating my action or my emotions. Nope, I needed to focus. I wanted to end Reid, but everything was derailed with the power going out. Just get the fuck out. Get out of this hell and stay alive.

How long did I have until the power is back? How long until I'm seen? Until the man at my feet is discovered? How long until they realize I'm roaming free? Being in the dark would suck, but it put me on the same level as every asshole in here. They wouldn't see me coming. Well, not until the power and cameras come back on. I had to hurry. But to where? I hardly know this place! Maybe I can get into the dining room fast enough.

Bending down quickly, I grabbed the key card from the dead man's pocket. This would for sure help. I also grabbed what I could feel were handcuffs on his utility belt. The slight ray of sunshine from the window stories above in the stairwell acted as a guide. I raced back up the steps and opened the door back to the hall I was in just minutes ago. The one with the door to the dining room. Fuck, so close! This time, I would go in there.

Nobody around, I jogged to the door. And just as I tried swiping the card, I realized the obvious problem. I actually genuinely laughed. "Oh you're so fucking stupid." I debated whether or not I should wait for the power to come back on so I could get in, but I still didn't think it would be enough time.

It hurt to venture on because this was what I was familiar with the most. This area, that room, and nobody was around. However, I had to take advantage of having darkness and surprise on my side. What else could I do? Where could I go? Anywhere above ground with a window. But where? And did I have time before the power comes back on?

I ran into several surrounding rooms in the hall. Then I rounded the corner and checked the rooms down that hall. Thank god nobody was in them, but there were no windows, nothing! I needed to look elsewhere. It's not like I could freely roam the place though.

I heard voices and footsteps. Getting louder, faster, and the voices were panicked. Shit, shit! With a glowing sign indicating a different staircase, it was my only light around. They wouldn't see me if I'm still and out of the way. Quickly, I stepped to the side and pressed into the dark hallway wall. Jesus, I felt stupid, acting like I'm not here. Like they wouldn't see me.

However, they did not surprisingly. I couldn't even see them when the two or three men ran passed me. They had a dim flashlight – and thank god it didn't illuminate me in any way. "Lock them down, tell everyone, and make sure you have..." one said, his voice trailing off with their distance.

My hand holding the scissors was tight. It took a long second to unfreeze. Instinctively, I swiftly walked down the hall from where they came. I learned the general layout of this place, but the key word is general. Plus, it was dark. My feet were fast, trying to beat time. Trying to find a way out before power returns. Where was I? I don't think I'm too far from the business area or even the security sect.

That's why this real stupid idea occurred to me. The security sect. The power would be back any moment and I would be found. However, I could prolong my time... if the cameras didn't work and they couldn't see me.

The thought was appealing. I mean hell, with chaos breaking out over the power outage, I'm sure everyone was scrabbled anyway. There might not be anyone in the security sect. My priority needed to be to get out, but the chance of me getting out while the power is still off is slim. They would see me, find me, kill me.

Ugh, but it was just so stupid. I bit my lip and came to a stop, looking down at blackness. Was I really going to do that? Basically double my risk? And my time here? I needed to see though... it would be better than the power coming back and being in plain sight.

"You're going to die, you are going to die dummy," I whispered under my breath, moving forward until there was another bend in the hall. My mind was made up. Let's just hope it doesn't kill me.

Walking around the corner of the hall, a glowing sign with directions helped me. I was already fairly sure I knew where to go but it helped. I continued on in the pitch blackness before hooking up to a very wide main hall. Reid took me down here when he gave me the tour. I remembered that it eventually would branch off to the security sect.

This hall also led to the business area. The closer I got, the more commotion I was aware of. Farther down, I saw faint beams from flashlights and heard distance tones of panic. From their lights, I could see people in and out of offices and other halls the branched off the main one.

Still in the dark, I neared them undetected. And thankfully, before I could get too close to all the chaos, I saw my assumption was right. The hall branched off and I followed the corner, facing the security sect. I could barely see anything, but the glow from another sign illuminated the small hallway enough. I saw the outline of the door just a few feet away, blocking me from the rest of the short hall. Beyond that door in the hallway were the surveillance rooms. Facing the door though... my dumbass realized I had no idea how to get through. The card wouldn't work.

The card didn't have to work though. The surrounding darkness was snapped away by illuminating light. Black turned to the bright white of the hall. The keypad and sensor connected to the door glowed. More importantly, a girl who was wielding scissors and drenched in blood stood in this bright hall very visible. I felt more exposed than when I've been forced to strip and display myself.

And that was before I realized I wasn't alone too.

"Alright, for the doors, we shouldn't need to manually—" The voice cut off the second I heard it. Two men turned down the small hall I stood in and they froze just feet away. The man who cut himself off upon seeing me stared with wide eyes. I couldn't waste a second.

I ran the few steps and lunged at the first man. He was bulkier, but throwing my full weight into him put him to the ground. Before he could defend himself, I cocked my arm back and sank the point of the scissors directly into his chest. Dead. Before I could roll off him and retrieve the scissors, my throat was constricted by a tight fist. The other still-very-much-alive man pulled me up by my neck. The pressure in my ears and throat made my head spin. There was no time for anything, including fear. Only instinct. Just as he pressed my back into the wall, I tried kneeing him, punching him. He professionally blocked them. Until I angled my head down and bit his wrist.

I was loose for a small second and that's all I needed. I dashed down and away from the guy who had my neck in his control a moment ago. Then, reaching where my scissors were lodged, I slid the blade from dead flesh—

"Ugh!" I grunted as my back slammed into the floor. The guy flipped me over and threw me to the ground. He was towering over me, but I rolled over, kicking his leg and making him fall within the same second. I got on my knees, threw myself over his body, and killed him too. Just like that. Just in a flash, a matter of seconds. It—

"Little bitch, bad timing," I heard. Looking up from where I was over the second dead man on the floor, it was too late. Bam. Black. And fuck, my head was pounding. The man came out of nowhere – not like that mattered. He was here and now I had to kill another man. Jesus, I can't believe I just killed two seconds before.

That one punch made me want to buckle and quit. If a few pieces of my face fell off and to the floor, I might not be surprised. It hurt that bad. My dress wasn't the only thing bloody anymore, but it took a while to register the blood dripping down my nose until the terrible pain left. And that was only after this whole shit-fest was done. Because I didn't pause, didn't stop, didn't hesitate. I would need to thank Luke later for how much he taught me.

His punch kept me down, but I reached up, grabbed his arm, pulled him down. Splayed on my back on the smeared white floor, I cocked my leg up and drove my foot into his crotch. Damn, if only I was wearing heels and not flats with my dress....

His dark eyes went wide and a hefty breath left him. I slid back and tried getting to my feet, but he grabbed my leg and pulled me back. And with that movement, he knelt forward and pressed his kneecap to my chest. Pinning me. His arm wrestled my fists together and held them next to my neck. I could get out of this, I could, I just needed more room...

"I got her! I got her, get over here!" Just as he shouted towards the main hall, I wedged my weight up and it made him let go of one of my arms. With it, I braced his own arm and didn't let go as I pushed him off me. Slamming my bloody fist into his face, I scrambled away from him and grabbed my scissors in the middle of the floor. Thank god! Fuck I'm dead, but I couldn't stop! I couldn't stop!

I tried running away, back the way I came, but the man grabbed my arm and stopped me. I struggled with him when I noticed the door opened. The door I wanted to get through to the security sect. As if I would be able to but hey, it's nice to dream. Plus, nothing wrong with a little hope. Guys, if you didn't notice... I was doing pretty badass so far.

The arm he grabbed held the scissors. So, I dropped them to the floor as I tried to struggle away from him. And as I dropped them, my free arm swooped down and snatched them. I turned back towards him and swung the blade at him. He tilted away in time for me to only cut his shoulder. Seeing the danger I posed, he grabbed that arm and shook the scissors back to the floor. Fuck!

Then, it got worse. Tthe other guy that entered was struggling to get a hold of me too. Which he did. His arms restrained me from behind as the gentleman I faced did the same. This wasn't looking good.

He grabbed me from behind, holding me tight. These were two very strong men and though I was cocky, I wasn't stupid. I stopped fighting. I didn't want to, but I learned being stubborn would wear me out. There was no way I could fight off their hold on me. So, I let my body relax. It was the hardest thing I learned from Luke. Proudly, I can now say, I mastered it.

Taking a deep breath after I stopped struggling, before they could speak a word to each other, I surprised them. From where I was wedged between them, arms pinned, I worked with what I could. Which was unfortunate. I mean my head was already pounding but hey, if it gets the job done....

Slamming my head hard back into the man's face, he gasped – just as I did. "Ugh fuck," I mumbled roughly through my teeth. That fucking hurt. Which is also why it worked. Wincing as the man backed off behind me, I used that moment to my advantage.

Him stumbling back allowed me enough space to attack the man in front of me. I launched my knee hard up into his crotch. He doubled over and his grip broke from my arm, allowing me to jut it back and elbow the man behind me square in the face as he tried coming at me again. "Fuck!" he muttered behind me while the other man stood before me, trying to recover. See folks, hard-core killer or not, the dick and balls will always be a weak spot.

Staring at the asshole doubled over, I wasn't finished and fully ripped myself away from him. Their grunts from what I did encouraged me to continue and I marched up to the man doubled over. I cocked my hand back and shoved my palm hard up into his nose. More soreness. I did it again and again, each impact making my palm more red. He grabbed me again, but I dropped all my weight, turned, and basically dove for the scissors. The whole time, he tried stopping me, dragged me back, but I snagged them just in time. The bitch with the sore nuts towered over me, but it was too late for him. I stabbed him, pushing the scissors deeper when I pushed him off of me.

The man whose head and face I assaulted stepped back, staring down at me. He didn't look scared. None of them had. As his friend bled out and I stood, having killed another, I faced the guy. I didn't know what he was thinking (hell, what I was even thinking). His back was to the opening of the large hall, but he didn't move, didn't back up. His expression was blank, almost disappointed. I learned why there wasn't more concern in his eyes a second later.

He stared at me for a long moment... before he, with a sign, withdrew a gun and pointed it at me. "This was last resort but you're not worth it."

My heart dropped – dropped to the deepest pit in me. Unlike the last asshole who held a gun to me, I knew he was going to fire his gun. And he did....

The bullet ripped into my flesh, unleashing a pain that made everything else pale in comparison. Letting out a short scream from my exposed teeth, I sucked in a hard breath. Then another. Still breathing. All because I had known he was going to shoot. If I had hesitated, I wouldn't have tried bolting past him. I wouldn't have tried running to the hall. But I did. He would have shot and killed me. Instead, the bullet pierced my arm.

If I had hesitated when I the bullet reached me now, I would have let the fear hit me. I didn't though. I got past him even with my body stinging, but my adrenaline was high. The pain was there, but I could let it go. I wasn't done. Before I reached the hall, I turned and plunged the point of the scissors into his neck. Thank god I was holding them with my other hand. Because the arm that was shot was just chilling and catching its breath. In other words, I couldn't handle moving it.

It was all so fast.... I was ready, waiting with the bodies all around me. My feet tried running out into the main hall a few times before skidding to a stop. It took me a second to realize nobody else was coming at me. It was just me and the four dead men, dirtying the white floors with all their blood. They were splayed on their stomachs and backs, eyes glossy with nothing. Between it all, what stood out was the gun next to the dead man who shot me.

Lifting my left arm to get a better look, I winced. Needles full of fire vibrated from the source. Which was plain as day. The small hole had one long line of blood oozing out. It didn't look as bad as it felt. Better not be that bad. How pathetic would it be if I just survived all of this and then died from gradual blood loss? Well, I wouldn't take the chance. Bending down, I tore off a piece of fabric from one of the guy's shirts and tied it around the wound. Before standing back up, I grabbed the gun and made sure it wasn't empty.

I just faced several men and was the only one left standing. What just happened felt like way too good to be true. Not to mention, I was on fucking camera. I just remembered that. So I was on edge and cautious as I approached the door to the security sect rooms. If I can get in there though, I wouldn't have to worry about being on camera. Nobody would be able to see me. Either because the cameras will be dead – or whoever is in there. With a gun, I felt a little better about accomplishing that second part if I needed to.

Grabbing the key card I retrieved earlier, I swiped it. For some reason, I expected the system to deny me access. However, with a click and a beep, I was able to open the door.

Stepping down the other half of the short hall, there were a handful of offices to pick from. Hopefully, there would be nobody watching the cameras. After all, the power going on sent a wave of chaos throughout this place. Or who knows, that might give them more of a reason to be here. Regardless, I needed to be careful. Based on the tour Reid gave me, there was a chance that there were two people behind each door as a worst possible scenario.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the first door on the right. Nobody. The small area looked just like the one Reid showed me before. There were just two empty chairs before a wall of screens. Except these screens showed the parking garage and a few random offices. Most of these places showed people rushing around, no doubt in panic. I honestly didn't understand their problem. What is the big deal if the power goes out? They can't be that paranoid, right? Who knows, who freaking cares.

"Well, I'll give them another reason to freak out," I whispered, rounding the chairs and peering past the desk to all the screens. I'm not techy and I don't have a clue how to shut these off. My version of disabling the cameras was different.

There were so many cords, wires, and cables. They ran from the screens and buttons on the desk to a mess in the crammed back corner. Gun in one hand, scissors in the other, I moved towards the coiled up mess. After unplugging everything, I started cutting the cords. My bloody scissors took a few tries, especially with the thick cords, but I managed getting most. Moving back and peering up, I smiled. All screens, even the desk monitors, were black. Fuck yeah!

I was alone and safe in here, but I knew it was only for now. My chest swirled from my nerves, but I pushed it aside and opened the door. Nobody in sight. I quickly moved into the next office. Luckily, there was nobody in here either.

I did the same thing in each room, successfully ruining their chance of seeing me. I felt so rushed and frantic, I didn't bother trying to monitor and figure out where I was. Not like it mattered. There were no windows in any of the rooms the cameras showed. Just my fucking luck. I would just have to keep going and hope I find one. As I continued to the next surveillance offices, in one of them, a screen showed four dead bodies in a hall. Thankfully, nobody was around and had discovered what happened just yards away.

However, when I opened the second to last door, I froze. They didn't hear me enter. Within the crammed space, there were four people. Yes, four fucking men. Huddled around the desk. Thankfully, they didn't hear me enter (and clearly didn't hear me get shot earlier otherwise they would have come out to investigate). The reason was because they had earphones on.

They intently watched the screens, talking quickly amongst into their mics. Two were seated while the others hovered behind them. In uniform (the boring grey polos and black pants), they were all focused and scrambling at the same time. The young man at the desk switched the pictures on the screen, showing different areas of the building. Then a few screens switched to footage of outside and the forest. One screen stayed consistently there, and the image grew to take up four screens in the corner. Those screens had a red 'audio' flashing in them. It was of Reid's office – with him occupying it.

The man next to him was typing something on the monitor while speaking into a headset. One older gentleman spoke over the rest into his. "There is no evidence of any interference or invasion from the north wing, levels A through D were checked and secure. Perimeter – all cameras show nothing suspicious." He paused. "No, maintenance is still determining if the mechanical box they found is the cause. Reid will be the first to know about that, not us. At the moment, we are still checking areas, it will be a few more minutes," he said, setting the mic down.

I didn't know what to think of his words. Didn't care either. I debated whether to confront them or just back out of the room slowly. The chance to decide never really came though.

"Wait, what the fuck is that?" one of the men loudly demanded. Sifting through the cameras, the view of the hall just yards from this door snapped onto the screen. Including all the men I killed.

Just a two of them turned, as if to rush out the door, but they didn't get past their own shock of seeing me. They were close enough to make it easy as I raised the gun. Bang, bang, bang!

Three shots within seconds... and each of those seconds claimed a life. There was one life remaining. Why didn't I shoot him? I was fucking desperate.

Marching up to him, I ripped off his headset and pointed the gun at him. Careful not to be in his reach, I kept my hand steady. His wide eyes took in my shot arm at my side. "You're going to tell me where I need to go to get out of here," I said evenly. "Do you understand?" He didn't answer – which I didn't fucking like.

Then, a voice reached the air. But it was not mine and it wasn't the man frozen and staring back at me. It came through the speakers. "I don't mean to interrupt gentlemen, but I would like to remind you all. We've lost track of Mr. Prenta and Higgins. That knowledge isn't the most reassuring for what is occurring. I want all of you to double check the cameras. You know how they operate; they will be prepared as will the FBI if they happen to break through our barriers."

I recognized the voice and my eyes found who it came from. Looking up at the screens of his office, I saw a well-dressed Reid. He was standing behind his desk, looking directly at the camera across his office. His hand was resting on the standing microphone similar to the one in here. Clearly, he was not aware of what just happened to his men – or the fact that I've escaped. Oh my god, he didn't know... nobody else did. I could maybe make it! If it stayed that way.

My grip on the gun tightened. Reid couldn't hear what was going on in here at the moment. "You don't say a fucking word to him."

But he would have to. Reid's voice echoed in the room again. "I want the verification number for system 5."

I shook my head, eyes widening. I didn't trust this guy. No way in hell. He would rat me out. It would be better to shoot him! But just as I was about to, he held up his hands. Eyes almost pleading in mine. "I-I'll help you, I will. Just hold on, he needs me to answer him."

"I don't trust you," I hissed.

"No, it's fine," he said, grabbing the standing mic before I could do anything. He pressed the button and spoke, allowing Reid to hear. "55316. She has escaped, she's here in the security—!"

I shot him as I hissed and yelled at the top of my burning lungs, "Fucker!" Fucking shit, that could be my life. Right fucking there, that could have cost me everything! I got to get the fuck out right now. Going to be a little tricky when Reid knows and knows where I fucking am now!

The last man standing in this room was now dead, but I might not be too far behind. Staring up at the screen showing Reid, he didn't take a second to process anything. I watched him snatch the desk phone, yell something into it, grab his mobile phone, and march off screen.

"God fucking dammit," I hissed, cutting the cords to the screens before running out.

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You might not believe me... but this chapter, for the first time in a LONG TIME, I wrote this chapter like I used to write them. And that made me very excited for more. Half of this chapter I wrote today and that is something that, like I said, has not happened in a long time. So I am very hopeful the next chapter will be up sooner than this one. I'm still very busy but this kind of woke up the writer in me that I've been missing and waiting for. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)It was very different but you got to remember how far Albany has come and all that has happened

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