Chapter 2 - The Cat and Mouse
The security guard pressed the cold edge of the scalpel against my throat.
"Dr. Salgado is looking for you, little bird," the guard sneered.
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped animal.
I noticed a heavy metal fire extinguisher mounted on the wall just behind his left shoulder.
I pretended to go limp, letting my knees buckle so he would loosen his tight grip.
As he reached down to grab my collar, I surged upward and smashed my forehead directly into his nose.
He dropped the scalpel with a howl of pain, his hands flying to his bleeding face.
I grabbed the fire extinguisher, pulled the pin, and sprayed the thick white foam directly into his eyes.
He stumbled backward, screaming blindly in the narrow stairwell.
I did not wait to see if he recovered.
I turned and sprinted down the remaining flights of stairs until I burst into the basement parking garage.
The cold night air hit my face, smelling of exhaust and freedom.
I ran toward the exit ramp, praying I could just disappear into the city.
Suddenly, the harsh blare of the hospital’s emergency PA system echoed through the concrete garage.
"Attention all staff, the facility is now on full lockdown," Diego’s voice boomed from the speakers.
"A dangerous psychiatric patient wearing a janitor uniform has escaped the ward."
"Do not let anyone leave the building under any circumstances."
The heavy steel security gates of the parking garage began to roll down quickly.
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I sprinted toward the narrowing gap, diving onto the wet concrete as the metal teeth slammed shut against my ankle.
A searing pain shot through my leg, but a pair of strong hands suddenly grabbed my arms and dragged me backward into the shadows.
