Chapter 5 - The Deadly Escape
Eleanor grabbed Lily and sprinted out of the cell with desperate speed.
The electronic countdown echoed through the basement, clicking down mercilessly.
Fifty seconds left to survive.
Eleanor remembered the old blueprints of the hospital from Arthur's office.
There was a heavy drainage pipe at the end of the corridor that led to the river.
She kicked open a rotting wooden door, revealing a massive iron grate.
Thirty seconds left.
Eleanor used the rusted iron pipe to pry the heavy grate away from the wall.
Her hands bled, but her maternal adrenaline gave her unimaginable strength.
She shoved Lily into the dark, wet tunnel and crawled in right behind her.
Ten seconds left.
They scrambled through the freezing mud, pushing deeper into the narrow pipe.
A deafening explosion ripped through the asylum foundation behind them.
The shockwave threw Eleanor forward, slamming her head violently against the curved concrete.
A massive wall of fire and debris completely sealed the entrance of the pipe.
They were trapped in absolute darkness, but they were miraculously alive.
Eleanor pulled out her waterproof phone and turned on the flashlight.
They crawled for what felt like hours until they finally reached the riverbank.
They collapsed into the freezing water, washing the mud and blood from their faces.
Eleanor dragged Lily up a steep, muddy hill toward a deserted highway.
They stood shivering in the rain, hoping to flag down a passing motorist for help.
Headlights pierced the fog, and a sleek black sedan screeched to a halt beside them.
The driver rolled down the window, revealing the face of an older, scarred man.
It was Detective Miller, the exact police officer who had investigated Clara's supposed death twenty years ago.
"Get in the car right now, Eleanor, before Arthur's men find you," Miller ordered sharply.
May you like
Eleanor hesitated, but the sound of approaching sirens forced her to jump into the back seat.
The moment she closed the door, the child locks clicked into place with a sinister thud.
