ENIGMA

escape

As soon as she heard Advik's footsteps retreating down the hall, Inaya sat on her bed, her heart racing as she considered her next move. She knew that sneaking out would be nearly impossible given the tight security around the Malhotra mansion, but staying and facing Advik's wrath was no longer an option.

First, she assessed the lock on her door. Advik, always meticulous, had locked it securely from the outside. But as her eyes swept the room, her gaze landed on the small, decorative window high up on one wall, just large enough for her to fit through. Taking a deep breath, she stacked a small dresser and a chair beneath it, creating a makeshift ladder. She climbed up slowly, her fingers shaking as she pushed open the window and glanced outside. There was a narrow ledge she could use to inch her way toward the balcony of the next room.

Balancing carefully, she swung her legs out and lowered herself onto the ledge, her body pressed flat against the wall. She took one step, then another, biting her lip to keep from gasping as her foot slipped slightly. Below, a guard paced the grounds, his flashlight illuminating the garden. She froze, waiting until he turned away, then quickly continued her careful steps toward the balcony.

When she reached it, she climbed over the railing and lowered herself onto the balcony floor. She was nearly caught when a guard rounded the corner below, and her heart pounded as she held her breath, praying he wouldn't look up. After what felt like an eternity, he moved on, allowing her to breathe again.

Once inside the second-floor hallway, she darted from corner to corner, avoiding cameras by staying in the shadows. She reached the staircase, listening intently for any sounds. It was late, and most of the household was asleep. Still, she moved with caution.

Her heart nearly stopped when she saw a figure down the hallway-Advik, standing near the kitchen, unscrewing the cap of a water bottle. Time seemed to freeze, the seconds stretching into an eternity as Inaya pressed her back against the wall, her body rigid with fear. Hope flickered and died within her; this was not how she envisioned her escape. Panic surged through her veins, amplifying her pulse to an almost painful throb. She could feel the weight of the air pressing down on her, suffocating and oppressive.

Every fiber in her body screamed at her to retreat, to melt into the shadows. Yet her feet felt glued to the floor, as if some invisible force were holding her in place. If only she could will herself to disappear. She watched, breathless, as Advik remained oblivious to her presence, his back turned to her. But as she shifted slightly, trying to shrink further into the darkness, his head turned, and his gaze swept the hall. Her heart dropped to her stomach.

Inaya held her breath, feeling it catch painfully in her throat, a silent prayer that he wouldn't see her. She could hardly think; all she felt was an overwhelming wave of dread. He squinted, as if sensing movement, and began walking in her direction. Each step he took sent a fresh wave of panic coursing through her veins, the raw terror igniting her instincts to run. But there was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.

Her mind raced, frantically grasping for any excuse she could conjure if he caught her. Would she play dumb? Would she pretend she'd simply wandered out? But deep down, she knew no explanation would suffice. She pressed further into the wall, her heart thundering as she squeezed her eyes shut, praying he wouldn't spot her.

Just as he got closer, he paused, his gaze shifting to her bedroom door. It felt like the world had stopped; the air thickened around her, almost suffocating her with its weight. He stepped forward and inspected the lock, his fingers brushing it lightly. A wave of nausea rolled through her. What if he realized it had been tampered with? She felt exposed, her secret laid bare beneath his scrutiny.

Her body tensed, muscles coiled like a spring, ready to bolt back to her room if needed. Every nerve screamed at her to run, to flee back into the safety of her space. But after a moment that felt like an eternity, Advik seemed satisfied, giving the lock a final check before turning back toward his room.