Chapter 85

I bolted out of the room, down the hall, and away from where I was. Reid knew I escaped; he knew I had been in the security sect! Sure, they could no longer see me on the cameras, but them knowing I escaped was just as bad. I had to get the fuck away from this area!

My chest was pounding in panic; any second an army would hunt me down. Every second, every step I ran, was full of fear. God, they were going to catch me, come up behind me, put a bullet in my back! And at the same time, I was playing Russian roulette with every corner I sprinted around. Thankfully, there was nobody in my path and nobody to stop me. I just kept running. However, logic said it was only a matter of time until I run into somebody.

Rushing down a narrow bright white side hall, I swung into the first open door and shut it, leaving me in darkness. Searching with my free hand, I determined I was in some kind of utility closet. I had no idea where I was, no clue where to go, but for this moment in time, I was safe and could take a few deep breaths.

One hand holding the gun, my other rose to feel my wound and— ugh! Ugh, holy fucking lord, not a good idea to touch! Not good! Just the small brush of my fingers made me double over and wince sharply. Thankfully, the bloody fabric I tied around it was still there. Just like my heavy breathing was still there. I'm still alive. There was a strong chance I wouldn't be much longer so I needed to be smart. How do I get out? How do I evade the people now looking for me? Where the fuck can I find a window?

I was on the same floor as the business center and the dining room. However, I also knew we were on the side of a mountain and still partially underground. My best bet was to go up, but how? I didn't know if there were floors above this one. On the tour, Reid didn't speak of or show me any floors above this – besides the elevator to his office and house. His office didn't have windows or a door, but I knew his house would.

I've never been up to his house, but there would be windows, access to the outside. It was also private and wouldn't have a bunch of killers running around. However, there were a few problems. Number one: the only access I knew to his house was the elevator in the business center. Which was always busy with people. Number two: that elevator also went up to his office, which was where I last saw Reid. And number three: only Reid knew the code to get up to his house from the elevator. Trying to go up there would be stupid and suicidal.

But there had to be another way up there, right? An elevator couldn't be the only to access his office and house. I mean hell, things could go wrong. Like, I don't know, the fucking power could go out. Yeah, there had to be stairs, but would it be worth trying to find it? In a now very brightly lit building where people were searching for me? I mean... what other option did I have? I at least knew that general area and had an idea of where to look. Unless his house spanned his entire headquarters, stairs up to his house would have to be located in the business center or around it. The stairs also would not be out in the open. It would probably be in a cut off hallway or corner where nobody hardly goes. I mean would you really want an access point to your personal space right out in the open or even in sight of where you do business? It would likely be an isolated dinky hall like this.

I stood there, debating deeply if I should open this door or not. Because god, it's just down right retarded when you think about it. I would be heading towards an area with a lot of people – not even knowing where to go exactly. I encounter even one person, more would hear, more would see, and I'd be done. Looking in smaller less populated areas made me feel better, but not much. The plan made my stomach turn and ache. I would probably die, but by now, I've accepted that. I just needed to be careful. Very careful.

If I do encounter someone though, I couldn't use a gun though. I left my scissors behind. Reaching around me and stepping a few feet in each direction, I felt the cluttered shelves and found a switch by the door. Flicking it, a lonely light bulb turned on and showed me what I was working with. There were mops, brooms, buckets, and tools. Drills, screw drivers, nails and bolts scattered on the small shelf. There wasn't anything sharp. And if you people think I will result to using broken glass again as a knife, I swear to god, I'll—

"Yes!" I hissed after seeing the utility knife come into view after moving around some tools. With my bloody fingers, I opened the blade. It was a long blade too. I nearly orgasmed from the hope it gave me, but I couldn't get too excited. I'll orgasm when I see a fucking window.

Turning the light off, I took one last deep breath before I cracked open the door. No voices, no people either when I peaked out. Good so far. I stepped out and felt just as exposed and scared as earlier. Especially when I started off in the direction I ran from.

I navigated several empty halls back, ducking into doorways and small indents when I could. When I made it back to the familiar wide hallway, I shockingly didn't see anyone. I even passed the entrance to the security sect, and suspiciously, nobody around there either. However, when I was nearing the business center lobby, sure enough, I started hearing voices. Before the hall opened up to the large lobby where the voices came from, I turned down a small hall of offices. Hopefully, I would come across a stairway somewhere around here.

These were all clearly offices though. Because by the time I reached the end of the hall, one of those office doors opened. Immediately, I ran into the office and pushed the person who was about to leave back into the room. It was a woman with a grey polo and black skirt. She tried to rush around the wrap-around desk, but I tackled her before she could get there. Considering she was clearly not a fighter, take a guess on who won that fight. can say it was almost a blessing that I ran into her. She might make it a little easier for me to not be noticed.

I walked out of the office wearing her uniform of a grey polo shirt and skirt. I was no longer bloody, not even my hands thanks to a handy water bottle I found in the office. My black flats already matched the uniform, so I didn't bother stealing her heels. I also tied my hair up in a bun; that alone made me feel so much better. I didn't feel nearly as exposed. If I happen to stumble across anyone, the gun was tucked under the hem of my tight skirt so it wouldn't draw attention. The only thing that looked off was the pocket knife tucked into my palm. Well, and of course, my very recognizable face.

The hall branched off down another hall and I followed it as far as I could. No discrete staircase, nothing yet. The hardest part was not letting my fear get the best of me at this point. I will say it became easier... when I turned back towards the main hall and saw a group of men... swiftly walking towards me.

Freezing in place, eyes growing wide, I nearly acted. Nearly started to run, but didn't when I saw no change in their pace. Speaking to each other as they almost rushed towards me, I took a few steps towards them in a daze. There was no way they didn't see me, couldn't tell who I was.... Sure enough, they barely spared me a glance and quickly moved past me. Either they were looking for me and that was one hell of an ironic moment or they were focused on something completely different and didn't notice who I really was.

When I reached the wide main hall again, still a little stunned, I peeked around the corner to where it opened to the business center lobby. I could see people, workers, rushing around. I wasn't close enough to see much else and continued down other hallways that branched off the main one. Still, no luck. Which left me with little choice. I would have to go through the lobby and search the area beyond it. The only way was to just... walk through.

Yeah, you don't have to tell me how that sounds. How the hell am I supposed to just... walk through a huge crowded area? I had a little more faith... when several people past me in the main hall.

They didn't bother paying attention to me, talking quickly amongst themselves. "The parking garages, all levels, all vehicles. We need to know if they got in."

"Or if the little whore caused this. I mean Jesus, come on, I'm telling you, this isn't a coincidence that she got out when all this happened. When we find her—"

"What, you think she made it outside, planted whatever the fuck that is, and reappeared back in containment? You know, maybe it shouldn't be so surprising she managed to get out with people like you around..."

My heart was racing, screaming at me to run and hide, but I didn't. They didn't pay any mind to me. They passed me, minding their own panicked business. I knew it would only be a matter of time until someone really takes a good look at me, but it was enough to build my confidence. I listened to that and didn't overthink it. I dropped my tense shoulders and quickly walked into the business center lobby. Right smack in the middle of a bunch of killers. Talk about the most intense trip of adrenaline in a long time.

All my body wanted to do was run and I had to force my feet to stay at an even stride. I can't believe I'm doing this, I can't believe I'm doing this, I can't believe I'm here. Get out of sight, get out of sight, oh my fucking god, I just wanted to hide! Walking through this big ass lobby was taking forever!

People were moving in all directions, going everywhere, and they were all on a mission. Apparently, it didn't just revolve around me. Talk of me was apparent, but there was a lot of chatter clouded in fear too. I passed a few gentlemen who were huddled around the coffee table in the waiting area, looking over what appeared to be a map. Thanks to this weird chaos everyone was in, I managed to keep my eyes forward and walk toward the other side of the high lobby where a couple more halls were. The whole time... instincts begged me to get the fuck out of there.

In the middle of all these people, all these killers, I neared the first of several halls in a row. Closer. A few more steps, almost, almost there, holy fuck almost there, two more seconds! Yes! Entering the first hall on the left, I could close my eyes and breath evenly. However, I knew successfully walking through those people would be too good to be true and I was right.

Heading further down the hall and away from the voices, I heard footsteps behind me. I pursed my lips. Lovely. Someone was following me. I raised the knife in my hand in front of me and flipped the blade open. God damn, I just changed into this stupid uniform; I better not get it bloodied up this soon and have my cover blown. Then again, my cover wasn't the best anyway considering this dude was following me.

I just rounded the corner, which connected to the hall parallel to the one I was just down. I waited in the small space between both halls, back pressing into the wall. His steps alerted me, giving me the advantage just as he came around the corner. Here we go ladies and gents.

Coming into sight, I struck forward at him, but he was ready for me. He ducked away from my first swing with the knife and before I could strike again, he grabbed my arm. Grabbed my arm and twisted it behind my back, putting me in lock, then pressed his weight down. In those two seconds, he had me defenseless and on my knees. Getting blood on me wasn't the biggest concern anymore, folks.

From where he was behind me, bent forward with his weight, he whispered in my ear. "That was the most impressive thing I've seen in a while, Miss. Higgins."

Staring at the white tile floor under my knees, I scowled. "See, it would be impressive if I wasn't surrounded by a bunch of fucking idiots."

He bent my arms at a more unnatural angle, making me grunt want to buckle from my knees to my side. I was under his full control, my arms bent at angles that could offer no advantage. How do I get out of this lock? How? How? Though I didn't learn how a specific technique for this, I had to have enough skill. I've done good so far and I wouldn't let this be the end.

He grabbed the blade from my locked hand and stood up, dragging me to my feet with him. My arms were still bent unnaturally in that tight lock, giving him all the power. My confidence started to drain, fear spiking in my blood, as we moved. With his strong hold behind me, he guided me forward and back down the hall we came from. No, no, no way in hell this is happening! I was caught by the one man, and it needed to stay one person and not the whole fucking building! Fuck! I tried whipping my head back, tried struggling, and nothing worked. I could see the commotion of people he was walking us towards. No, no, no, this won't, can't fucking happen!

Biting my lip, wincing and breathing almost in panic now, I completely let my legs go limp. His hold didn't let up and the angle of my arms remained when I dropped, making me yelp out in pain. However, it was what I needed. I dropped my weight and just as he tried pulling me back up, that effort it took him, the strain in his muscles, was enough.

I dropped my weight harder, turning at the same time as I hit the tile floor, and used my knees to launch at his lower half. I grabbed his waist, pushing, and shoved my knee into his, making him fall back and stumble to the floor. He was already sitting up, struggling to get up, but I didn't let him. Finally seeing his face, I launched myself over him. Sliding my knee between his legs, I bent it and launched my kneecap into his crotch hard. The man who was probably in his late 30s suddenly had the expression of a 10 year old boy, lips shaping into an O and body stiffening as if he just saw a monster. That's right bitches, I am queen at kneeing people in the groin.

Being stunned for a moment was all I needed to grab my knife back from him. Gripping it hard, I sat up and struck it down into his chest. It sank smoothly through the grey fabric of his shirt and into his flesh like butter. His face going completely blank followed and he was dead. Thanks to how long the blade is compared to the scissors, it only took one stab. And hey, bonus points for me guys, I didn't get a drop of blood on me.

Getting to my feet, I whipped my head behind me and towards where he started to guide me before. Towards the lobby where several people were rushing around and where I just bravely hiked through a minute ago. Thankfully, nobody noticed what happened. It needed to stay that way.

Wiping the blood of the blade on his pant leg, I tucked it next to the gun on my hip. I grabbed the dead man's shoulders (or rather the fabric of his shirt) and started dragging him back down the hall. It took a good few minutes considering a limp body was heavy. When I rounded the corner again, I stopped. I wanted to leave his body here, but this wasn't some barely-visited room. A fuck ton of people were yards away and soon enough, they would come down this hall. If his body is found, they would know I'm near.

I let his shoulders drop from my hands and I looked around. Where? I was about to just say fuck it when I peeked around the corner, down the next hall. Not a few yards away was a door and a long window meant for viewing into the room from the hall. I recognized it. Reid took me down here on the tour. It was the file room. Might not be the best spot to hide a body, but it would be better than leaving him laying in the open.

Nobody was coming down the hall from the opposite direction and that was my sign. I dragged the dead dude to the door, tugging and breathing hard at needing to hurry. With the card from before, I unlocked the door, pulled the body inside, ducked down and let the door shut behind us. Good enough for me.

Just as I was about to head back into the hall though.... I paused. From where I was crouched under the viewing window, I looked out to the large room. The shelves of files, books, and binders reminded me of a library. I had no idea where a possible staircase could be, but this room might have some potential.

Leaving the body, I stayed low as I rounded the large table that spanned the width of the room by the door and went further. Once I rounded the first row of files, I stood up, no longer in view of the hallway. From there, I walked down each row, looking towards the back walls. My focus was simply to see if there was more to this room than it appeared. However, I couldn't ignore the order of the shelves. The files were in alphabetical order. Though it was no time to get distracted... I honestly could not help myself. It will take a quick second and I could at least get closure on this stupid matter.

My eyes went from looking beyond the files to directly at them, seeing the letters signifying where in alphabetical order I was. When I reached the row of P names... I stopped and faced the shelf. PO, PR.... Then, PRA and PRE. I skimmed a few more, getting close, heart picking up in pace. I pulled out each file before pushing it back, just enough to see the name. Then, my index finger pulled forward a file with the tab labeled PRENTA.

I pulled it out and opened the file. Staring down at the documents, my stomach dropped. These were the same documents Reid showed me. Yes, the same ones. I riffled through the top few documents until I saw the contract. Air unevenly left my numb lips when my eyes fell to the lines towards the bottom. Mike's signature was there. It was all here, and all the same.

I've seen this file and contract before. But this time, it wasn't shoved in my face. I found it... in the real-as-fuck document and file room. Shaking my head, I looked deeper in the file and saw at least one other document signed by him. Him. Mike Prenta. Luke's father and a father figure to me as well. My teeth sank into my bottom lip, just like my stomach sank to my feet. Unless Reid expected me to break into here... this shit was real, legitimate, and life-scarring.

There was no dealing with this right now. I saw that signature and didn't allow myself to think anymore. All I could do was close my eyes and take a deep breath. I can deal with this later if I live. Don't think. Keep moving.

Shaking off my initial dazed state, I grabbed one of the contracts with Mike's name on it. I folded the paper, tucked it into my polo pocket, and shut the file. It was validation, but validation I refused to face at the moment. I slid the PRENTA file back into place and continued on.

Focus back on track, I exited the row and neared the back of the room. There had to be something. A secluded door, stairs, another hall or something. Anything that could maybe lead up to Reid's house. Then, in the back corner of the room, I saw a random door. Eh, wouldn't hurt to look at least.

My half-ass curiosity turned into more when I reached the plain wooden door. When I opened the door, all I saw was darkness – for just a second. Opening the door triggered low ceiling lights inside to click on. Which illuminated a small hallway. The floor was cement and walls narrow. The hall curved to the right and out of sight just after a few feet.

Standing there, staring, my mind wanted to race to the possibilities of this being it. This being the way up! But I didn't let myself get excited. Nope, this was 'interesting' and nothing more. Not 'hopeful' or 'promising' because my name is Albany Higgins and I fucking know better than to get my hopes up guys. Regardless, I couldn't help but mentally beg for this to be my answer.

Entering the hall (more like a midget walk-way), I quietly shut the door behind me. I couldn't think of where this could lead, but the chance of death was still just as high. The exposed blade was tight in my hand as I took my time with each step. Ceiling maybe only two feet higher than my head, I was slowly nearing the curve in the hall. And when I saw where it led... it was powerful. Almost as powerful as finding a literal key out of this place would have been.

Just a few feet after the curve, the hall ended at the base of cement stairs. Beautiful fucking cement stairs!

The 'hopeful' and 'promising' level I blocked out plowed through my walls. There was no way for me not to be full of hope. I couldn't physically see where the stairs led, cut off by the low ceiling, but I didn't need to. The second I saw those stairs, my pace picked up to a purposeful stride towards the stairs.

My eagerness was desperate and obsessive. It helped block out my pain, my tiredness, and my fear. I wanted to rush up these stairs, but I wasn't going to blow it now. Instead, I took each step carefully and quietly. However, by time I reached the top of the stairs, I didn't have to force my eagerness away. It was basically pinned down by the reality of everything. By the reality of what opening this door could deliver to me.

I stood at the top step, facing the door. I knew Reid's home was on the other side of this door. I knew I didn't need a code to get in. I knew I was close to escaping. What I didn't know was what would happen, and I'd be stupid to think it would be smooth sailing after I open this door. What, am I going to just skip on through, climb out a window, and have a sunny walk home? Yeah right. I was closer to freedom than I expected to get alive, but this wasn't over. If I manage getting outside, I could be found, shot, tracked down for all I know. That is if there isn't an army waiting for me on the other side of this door.

The high-like feeling from finding the stairs was gone. It made me aware of my pain and lack of energy. My eyes stung, my limbs burned, and where I was shot hurt like a bitch. The worst part was I could feel the reality of how weak I was. Nothing I could do about that though. I just needed to block it out and focus. I made it this far doing that, I could make it a little farther.

Here we go guys. Taking a deep breath, I retrieved the open and long pocket knife from where I tucked it next to the gun on my hip under the skirt. Then, I grabbed the door handle and slowly, painfully slowly, opened the door.

An orange thin line of light reached my sight. Beautiful and natural light from a sunset. With every inch I pushed the door, the bright line widened until I could see. I saw glossy and white marble tiles covered the floor, tinted orange and pink from the light. It was coming from a vertical window on a small wall directly to my right. In arms reach actually. If only the window was wide enough for me to fit through but, go figure, it wasn't.

The area the door opened up to was small. Swinging the door open more, it nearly touched the wall across from me. With the window directly to my right, this door was clearly at the end of a small hallway. Which I saw for myself. Heart racing, I quickly stepped onto the marble and swung the door inwards. Grabbing it before it could shut with an audible click, I turned on my heels and stared at the other end of the hall I couldn't see before. Nobody in sight, nobody waiting for me.

Unknowingly, I was gripping the knife tight and had it raised. Yes, the likelihood of anyone waiting for me up here was small, but I was ready for anything. Lowering the blade, I grabbed the door handle with my other hand and silently closed it. I was officially in Reid's house.

I looked behind me and through the tall, but way too-thin, window. My body ached in desire. A few tall trees and their massive trunks were spaced out in the leaf-covered lawn – no doubt to surround and hide this house. The yard was flat, but beyond it, the ground shot up gradually towards the pink sky.

No matter how I leave this house, I would have to face uneven land. This terrain is mountainous, but that didn't scare me. The land, the killers out there, it didn't matter. Seeing the outside world, plus the fact that the house was level with the ground... it made me more antsy and eager. I was so close, so ready, and so anxious to get out of here.

Turning around and slowly walking down the short hall, I took in the similarities between the house and the institution beneath it. I noticed the elevator doors, right next to the door I entered from. I noticed the whiteness of everything – and the art. A series of pictures of nude black women hung in the small hallway. Similar photos of women hung on the white living room walls where the hallway opened up to.

I took in the normal, yet not so normal, room. The black leather furniture and marble coffee table were arranged together, facing a flat screen directly to my right. Behind the furniture, against the far wall, was a series of windows. This side of the house faced the opposite direction of the level lawn, allowing a scenic look-out from the windows. There was a drop in the land, displaying wilderness and sky. The sight was pretty, but irrelevant to me. I couldn't escape through those windows – and wouldn't want to anyway. Sounds picky, but I would prefer escaping through a door, making as little noise as possible.

Taking a deep breath, I walked slowly into the room. Adjacent to the windows, on the right wall, there was a white fireplace. There was a maroon abstract sculpture on the marble floor in front of it. If there wasn't an opening to another room next to the fireplace, I wouldn't have neared it. And I wouldn't have seen the disturbing photos arranged in frames on the mantle.

About to enter the next room, I froze in place. My eyes reached several photos... of me. Photos I clearly didn't know were being taken at the time. Most were from when I was still in Ohio, out in public. Some were ones taken from newspapers. Some were old mug shots. The photos and frames ranged in size, but the majority of the large ones were taken here. One was of me tied to the stage; one where I was on the floor, soaked in water. There was one close-up of me sleeping in my glass-boxed bedroom here. My lips were pursed in disgust by the time I looked away and walked into the next room.

It was a huge kitchen. Marble floors with black marble counters. It was wide open, and the kitchen overlooked the dining area. From where I stood, I could see the dining area was large with a sitting area off to the side. And next to that sitting area... a door. A glass sliding door in the direction of the flat lawn. That's it! That's what I need!

Breath catching, I rushed forward, needing that door. Needing the outside! Needing out! Oh my god, yes! My black flats creating needy footsteps were joined by other, faster, footsteps. Before I could think, before I could even turn around, my breath was cut off by a sharp force around my neck. The sharpness around my neck ripped my feet out from under me, pulled back hard and down, and slammed me onto my back. The back of my head smacked into the marble before I could gasp, blink, or register what was happening.

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A lot went down this chapter and she's so close! Of course, it wouldn't be Albany's story without a set back right towards the end, right guys? :) I hope you enjoyed it and I'm excited for the next one! Thank you so much for reading!