Escape 2

The next stage of my escape, was to leave this mansion unseen and unscathed. As I moved through the house stealthily, I was grateful that Gonzalo was out tonight. 

I bet that he would have sniffed me out in no time. 

My memory served me well, and soon I found myself closer to the entrance of the house, which is to be my exit. 

Just as I saw earlier, there were two men manning the entrance and I knew that I couldn't take them both down, I would be out cold in two seconds. 

I needed to create a distraction.

I didn't know if there were other people present in the house, but I was to be fast. All of my efforts won't be in vain. 

I looked around for what I could use, anything at all. 

I spot a vase on a stool by a three seater sofa and went on to pick it up. 

There are two men at the door, meaning I have to create two diversions. I have watched enough movies and read enough books to know that one will be left to man the door. 

I decide to pick up the stool and use it too. 

The dining room wasn't far from the entrance, I walked quietly towards. 

On getting there, it is completely empty. The long glass table is so clear that I could see my reflection on it. 

Rage. 

I was going to destroy Gonzalo one way or the other. 

Lifting the stool up I let it fall on the table, and watch it shatter. I imagined ruining his life exactly like this. 

Quickly, I picked up the vase and went to hide in a corner. The sound of the shattering table was bound to draw one of them in. 

I hear footsteps and… it doesn't seem like it's just one person coming. 

My heart thumps so hard that I get scared they might hear. 

Peeking through the corner, I see two pairs of shoes and I swallow, hard. 

I try to hold my breath, pressing myself against the wall, it's coolness grounding me as I try to steady my nerves. 

Two sets of shoes. My plan wasn't perfect, but I had hoped it would be enough to lure only one of them. I couldn't take down two men!

I hear them as they muttered to each other their voices sharp with suspicion.

"What the hell was that?"

"Sounded like the dining room. You check it out. I'll go back to cover the entrance."

Perfect, maybe my plan won't be ruined after all.

I wait, listening as one set of footsteps grows closer while the other retreats. 

My fingers tighten around the vase and my pulse drums in my ears as I prepare myself. 

One shot, that's all I have.

As soon as I see the man's back turn toward me, I move with so much confidence. Swift and silent, I bring the vase down on his head with all the force I can muster. 

A sharp crack echoes through the space, followed by a grunt of pain. He swayed dropping to his knees, and I don't hesitate. 

I push him forward, letting his body slump onto the ground, unconscious.

One down. One to go.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I peek toward the entrance. The second guard hasn't turned around yet, his back to me as he concentrated on the outside. 

I take it that he must not have heard the hit and was grateful that his partner didn't bother making a sound. 

Using the opportunity, I dart forward, slipping past him as quickly and quietly as possible. 

My feet barely make a sound against the cool marble floor. Just a few more steps and the second phase of my plan.

I reach the entrance and…

I'm out.

The night air is crisp, a contrast to the warmness of the mansion. But I don't have time to savor it. 

The gates loom ahead, tall and heavily guarded. I scan the perimeter, my eyes darting for another way out.

The fences.

It's my only option. They're high and decorated with barbed wire at the top, but I don't hesitate. 

I dashed toward the nearest one, my legs burning as I push myself faster, harder. My muscles scream in protest, but fear keeps me moving.

Just as I start my climb, voices shout behind me.

"There!" I heard someone shout. Oh no, this cannot be happening to me. 

I scrambled up, gripping the cold metal bars with raw desperation. My hands slip against the rough surface, but I don't stop. I can't stop. The voices grow louder, the pounding of boots against pavement sending a fresh wave of terror through me.

My fingers find the barbed wire, and pain instantly sears through my palm as the sharp edges bite into my skin. I grit my teeth, forcing myself up. I swing one leg over, ignoring the sting as the barbed wire scrapes against my exposed skin.

I can hear them now, directly below me.

"Shoot her!" I heard a different voice this time. The man at the entrance must have seen me and alerted the others.

I don't wait for them to follow through. I drop.

The impact jars through me, a shock of pain shooting up my leg as I hit the ground hard. My hands throb, blood dripping down my fingers and feet, but I push through.

I'm free.

Ignoring the ache in my body, I stumbled forward, forcing myself into a run regardless of the pain that serves as a protest on my feet. I don't stop. I don't look back. Because I know…

If they catch me, I won't get another chance.

I force my legs to move faster, even as the throbbing pain in my left ankle threatens to buckle me. The ground beneath me is uneven, small rocks digging into the soles of my feet as I make my way toward the tree line in the distance. If I can get there, I can hide for a while and, I can think.

A gunshot rang out, the sharp crack echoing in the night. My body reacts before my brain can process it, and I dove to the side, hitting the dirt hard. My arms shield my head as another shot whizzed past me, kicking up dust inches from where I lay.

They won't stop. Gonzalo's men aren't just guards; they're hunters, just like their master. And I'm their prey.

Ignoring the fresh wave of pain, I push up onto my hands and knees, crawling toward the cover of a few scattered bushes. My breaths come in harsh gasps as I press my back against the rough bark of a tree, peeking around it to assess the situation. Three of them are near the fence now, scanning the area. One of them still holds his gun raised, ready to fire.

My chest tightens, I need a distraction. Something to buy me time. My gaze flickers to the gravel path leading away from the property. If I can make it there, I might have a shot at losing them when I run into the forest beyond. But I need them to think I've gone in another direction.

I grabbed a nearby rock, my fingers sticky with blood, and throw it toward the opposite end of the yard. It clatters against the stone wall of the mansion, drawing their attention immediately.

"She went that way!"

As soon as they turned, I stood and ran towards the other side.

My legs protest, but I push through, forcing myself to keep moving. I reached the gravel path, my feet barely skimming the surface as I race into the dense thick trees. I could still hear them but their voices are fainter now, still I don't slow down. I can't.

As the branches scraped against my skin, they tugged at my torn clothes, but I pressed on. My lungs burn, my body begs for rest, but I know better. Stopping means dying. 

I don't know how long I ran, but when I finally allow myself to slow down, my legs almost gave out beneath me. 

Immediately, I pressed a hand against a tree for support, my breath come out ragged. I am surrounded by trees and parched. But, the distant sound of voices reminds me that I'm not safe yet even though I've put distance between us. Still, that has to count for something.

I take a moment to collect myself, then push forward. I need a plan. A place to hide. Somewhere to rest, regroup and figure out my next move.

Because this isn't over.

Not by a long shot.