Hear Me

12

12

It took a few days before my mind would settle and I could figure out what I would do.

I was sat in front of Hudson at breakfast one morning. I stirred my food around in its bowl while he finished his off.

"Could I come to work with you today?" I blurted out.

His brow furrowed as he started to frown. Please say yes. His eyes roamed over my face before he relaxed.

"Okay, fine. But we'll have to get going."

*****

It was strange being this high up in the Science building. It's only reserved for those of very high job status, including Hudson's position. Hudson, my guard, and I walked the silent corridor to his own work area.

       

The inside was barely any different from the other rooms in Science, with the exception of its high-tech equipment. Hudson gestured for me to sit on a chair while he busied himself with the various pieces of equipment. My eyes scoured the room for anything of relevance to me. It was a wishful hope. No documents were kept in places like this. I need to find a way to the storage room. But how?

After monotonous amount of time spent staring at Hudson's back while he worked, there was a knock at the door. I glanced over as the guard slid inside and scurried over to Hudson. Straining my ears, I heard him murmur, "Would you be able to keep an eye on her sir, while I run to the bathroom?"

Hudson gave him a quick nod before returning to his focus to his job. The guard pivoted and jogged out the door, his knees nearly knocking together. The door went to click closed when a sudden thought popped up in my mind. My hand shot out and caught the door before it could close. I glanced over to Hudson. He hadn't moved, his head still bowed over.

       

Slowly, I raised myself off the chair and slid over to the door. I sucked in a deep breath with my heart pounding in my chest. The corridor was empty. This is my chance. I tiptoed out into the blank space. Without a second to think, I ran.

My legs burned from the sudden exercise. Within seconds, my chest had grown heavy and it was getting hard to breath. I internally cursed my body and pushed myself forward.

My feet continued to slap harshly against the ground until I saw the familiar placard. Storage Room. My hand slammed onto the hand. But I was met with the terrifying noise of a locked click.

No.

No no no no.

It can't be locked. It can't be.

I banged on the door and continued to hit off the handle. Stumbling back, my mind began to race. What will I do? I can't go back.

Suddenly, there were fast footsteps approaching me. Hudson appeared around the corner. My stomach dropped to my feet. He ran to me and pressed something against my chest while pointing to a door.

"Quick, take these and go that way."

The files. He had the files. I watched Hudson's face for any sign of deceit. There were none. My arm instantly wrapped around him.

"Thank you. Thank you."

I took one last look at him before darting away, clutching the sheets close to me. I barrelled through the door and found stairs waiting. As I scurried down, I heard more footsteps outside the door.

"She's gone that way," Hudson's voice said muffled. The footsteps started moving again, farther away.

       

I continued to run down the stairs to the bottom floor and to the loading bay. One door was open with a van at its entrance. Dee stood by the door, furiously beckoning me over.

"Hurry!" she yelled in a whisper.

My legs threatened to give out but I threw myself forward. Her arms latched onto me and helped bundle me into the back of the van, shutting the door behind us. Darkness suddenly engulfed us. The sound of the vehicle starting erupted by my ears and then we were moving.

My eyes fell onto Dee's dark outline.

I'm out.