Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
I take off toward the right, running in a slight jog. I’m shoeless and wearing a stupid gown, but I may not get another chance. Since I paid close attention before, I’m able to navigate down a series of hallways back toward the break room.
If Janet’s still there, I’ll do whatever is necessary to make sure she doesn’t stand in my way. I’ll throw a chair at the old woman if I have to.
I enter the break room, ready for a fight. I’m relieved to discover it empty. The door is so close.
Then what?
Seth has his keys, so I can’t steal his car. I’m going to have to run toward the main road and hope no one notices I’m gone. They’ll easily catch up to me once they realize I’ve escaped.
I can’t let them catch me.
The rain has picked back up and pours from the clouds as if God’s about to flood the Earth again. I’m grateful for the thunder and sounds of rain that mask my escape. Getting drenched in three seconds and almost busting my ass on the slick concrete steps is another story.
This sucks.
Really, really sucks.
As the water soaks me to the bone, I long for the dry, cozy bed at home.
Not your home. Not your bed.
My bare feet smack the puddled pavement as I run. It’s not easy with a pregnant belly and terror eating me alive, but I manage to keep going. When I round the side of the building, I put my eyes on the prize.
The main road.
I just have to make it there so I can flag down a vehicle.
Please let someone see me and pick me up.
Lightning flashes close by and then a loud clap of thunder makes me squeak out in surprise. My baby jumps in my stomach, also startled by the loud sound. I clutch my stomach, whispering assurances as I continue my trek.
Small pebbles sting the bottoms of my feet, but I don’t let them deter me. I’m committed now. No turning back. I’ll come back with the police to get Kaitlyn.
I want them all arrested for their horrific crimes.
I’m halfway down the road when I hear it. It starts off as a soft wail and then it turns deafening. For a moment, I wonder if it’s a tornado siren. I quickly realize it’s an escapee alarm.
They know I’m missing.
I thought I’d have more time!
Tears flood my eyes, mixing with the rainwater sluicing over my face. My lungs burn and my legs ache from exertion. I’m dizzy and stressed to the max.
Escape. Escape. Escape.
The main road gets closer and closer. But behind me, I hear shouting. Someone is calling for me.
Run faster, Romy!
A sob escapes me but another clap of thunder drowns it out. The concrete beneath my feet is slick and I nearly slip again. I’m terrified at the thought of falling. I could hurt the baby.
Should I just give up?
It would be easy. They would fix me. Things would go blank. Everything would be dry and warm.
No!
So close to the main road.
It’s anticlimactic when I reach the main road because there aren’t any cars to flag down. I’m unsure if I need to go right or left and end up choosing left because there are trees I could hide in if necessary.
And then I see it.
A black vehicle coming around the curve toward me.
I have to get them to stop.
Stupidly, I stand in the middle of the road, waving my hands wildly. The gown is glued to my body, crudely leaving nothing to the imagination underneath. I’m exposed and vulnerable. I could jump from one trap right into another.
The vehicle sees me too late and slams on their brakes. Because of the water on the road, the SUV hydroplanes, heading straight for me. All I can do is turn my back to the vehicle and clutch my belly, hoping like hell I can protect my baby.
Screeching behind me seems to go on for an eternity.
And then pain.
Not a lot, but enough to bruise. The bumper of the vehicle smacks against my butt, sending a radiating wave of pain through my tailbone and up my spine.
But it doesn’t knock me over and it doesn’t flatten me.
I’m okay.
Oh my God.
“Romy?”
I’m caught. No!
Frantically, I turn toward the sound of the voice. It’s not Seth or Doc Junior. The voice is female. I meet the gaze of the woman now rushing my way.
I know her.
I love her.
“Mom?”
Eva—my beloved stepmother—grabs hold of me and hugs me. “Get in the car, hon. Now.”
I sob in relief and scramble for the passenger seat. I’m barely inside with the door closed when she peels away. We pass by a car coming from the lab. I meet Seth’s stare as we zoom past him.
I’ve barely escaped.
Now we have to lose him.
Caius
Theo hasn’t returned, which is fine by me. It’s given me ample time to dissect the folder with my name on it.