Escape Gone Wrong

The Plan

I was sitting calmly inside this black cabin. Yes, it is a cabin. I call it a cabin. I came from hell anyway.

Now I want to see the light. I'm tired of being ordered. I'm tired of being their slave. I'm tired of everything I have. In short, I'm tired of my life; I'm tired of being me.

I want a fresh life. And this unknown life begins here.

I look outside; I haven't been here since then. They won't let me.

My eyes roamed to the busy street and pedestrians. I slowly smiled. Few more hours, I will be one of them.

I glance at my wristwatch for the first time today, it's almost 3 pm. One hour before everything changes.

I can wait.

I can't be wrong this time. This is the first time I would do this.

"Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?" She asked. I smiled to assure her.

"But you might attract people or worst could happen to you." She keeps on blabbering things I find irrelevant and pointless. I know it won't happen since they don't even know me.

Then here she comes again.

"I'm just worried." I held both of her hands. They're warm yet shaking. Am I this vulnerable to infect fear on her?

Oh well, I can't blame them. That's how they see me for the past eighteen years. Vulnerable, shy, and obedient.

However, things are a bit different now.

"I don't want to bother you. But since it worries you, I will let them follow me, in one condition." I said while motioning my head at the back of our car. There were three black cars behind and two in front. One on both sides.

She sighed, a sign of surrendering.

"Okay then, what is it?"

I stared at her intently hoping she'd read my mind. She shakes her head when she figured it out.

"No. You can't. It can't be. They might lose their job if they will do that." She's being hysterical now. Probably, thinking about what could happen to them if they find out.

"No, I won't let that happen. I assure you that."

She still wants to protest, but I dodge it.

"Look, if they will tail me, that might attract people. If they're just a few meters away from me and they are all over the place, acting normal, people won't think there is someone special around. Do you get my point?"

I'm not this confident if I haven't planned everything. Every slight detail up to the important ones.

She clicked her tongue and massage her temple. Poor her, I might be too much of her. She's age enough to handle this crazy idea of mine.

She would think I am crazy, but this is the only plan I have. Yes, I don't have a Plan B. My instinct told me this will work.

"I don't know what's gotten into you, lady. I just hope you won't be in trouble." She said when we reached my destination.

Just then, the chauffeur stops the engine in front of the largest mall in the country. She also finished telling orders to the men-in-black who were now standing outside. She did what I have told her. That's good.

"All is clear. You may go now."

After she said that, I smiled at her and waited for the driver to open the door beside me.

"And you're wearing those clothes?" She was unimpressed as she scans me, head to toe. "Ugh, you gave me a headache, lady." I chuckled at her remarks.

"I call this blending in, mother." Thou she's not my mother, I love calling her that way.

"Fine. If your mother would know this, you'll be dead." She jokingly said.

Before I went outside, I kiss her cheek. Perhaps, a goodbye kiss.

As I stepped outside, I look up to the expensive mall. I took a deep breath, that's quite a lot of people. This mall said to be for elite society. Was it because it is that expensive? I don't understand their logic.

I bought nothing from our place. Not because I want to have it in my own hands, but because I want a change.

I was casual for the past ten minutes since I got in, but the manager of the boutique I'm in noticed me.

"Excuse me? Aren't you supposed to buy it? You keep on scanning them. If you went here just to steal something, you're in the wrong place."

Seriously? Why people nowadays are this judgmental? Before someone comes near us, or someone might grab her away from me, I replied.

"Sorry, I've got the wrong boutique. We better go." I smiled at her politely as I motion my hand. In an instant, five men in a casual shirt followed me as I went out. That moment she lost five customers. I told them to shop for something they like for themselves or their family.

I prepared everything in my hand. When I checked the time, it says 30 minutes before my plan succeeds. I must hurry.

I head straight to the ladies' room with a paper bag in my left hand and my shoulder bag in my right hand.

I immediately change into the clothes I bought a while ago. It will be the first time I'll be wearing these small clothes, cropped tee paired with high-waist denim shorts.

I put my used clothes inside the paper bag together with my life.

I untie my overlong hair and let it fall, touching almost my butt. I also removed my makeup along with its mask.

Minutes passed, I'm all set. I stared at my bare face within the large mirror, and a smile plastered.

"This is me."

As for what I've seen in movies, there's an escape here. I look up to the ceiling and, there you are! The escape route! An exit to my exhausting life!

I went to the cubicle where I can reach it. Good thing I'm this privilege, I can easily reach it.

Just like in movies, I climb up and pull my body inside the ceiling. I'm no longer the fine lady, I thought.

Just when I closed the cover, I heard the voices of girls went inside. That was close!

Now, I have to get out of this small place, just like my life. They gave me a life that is way too much I couldn't fit in.

I know that they were looking for me now.

Next thing I know, I was outside of that mall. I'm all sweaty and dusty. I don't mind at all; I need to hurry.

"Aren't you going to change your mind, lady?"

I smiled at him, it's the smallest amount I could muster. He has been my best friend since I was little. He is the son of my mother's close friend. He understands me more than they do.

"I told you, I won't. Just do your task. Give me the items I asked you to shop for."

He sighed heavily, "I'm going to miss you." He pouted while handing the paper bag he was holding.

"Say that again in front of them when I get back." I teased. He frowned.

"Thank you. Just don't get caught." I reminded him. I just don't want him to suffer due to my actions.

"You know, I won't." He said firmly.

My plan went well, and it was a success when I arrive at the nearest airport.

Without further ado, I hurried to the departure area and gave my plane ticket.

I left everything behind. Alongside this, it was my name. Perks of being unknown for the past 18 years, nobody will get notice you.

My plan succeeded.