Unmarked

55. Trapped

Teddy directs me into a small sparse room. One mirrored wall reflects back the metal table and two chairs positioned in the middle.

"Please sit, Hannah. I'm going to phone your husband in regards to the details about your marriage." He points to the chair. As I walk past him, he mumbles under his breath, "Twenty minutes max."

I sit on the chair and watch Teddy hesitate for a moment in the doorway, his confidence is starting to wane and I wait with bated breath for him to demand we abort this whole mission.

"I'll be back in a moment," Teddy says gruffly as he closes the door.

I stand, walk to the door and take a deep breath. Opening the door slightly, I peer out into the corridor and watch Teddy turn a corner.

Stepping out, I stride towards the stairs, my shoes tap against the hard floor, echoing loudly. Pausing, I pull them off and tuck them under my arm, continuing to walk along the edge of the corridor whilst intently listening for any sounds of people approaching.

I don't encounter anyone as I retrace my steps to the stairwell or as I ascend further upwards to the third floor.

Slowly opening the door located next to a large number three, I hear voices drift towards me from the hallway I on the other side. Stepping back, the door closes, shutting out the conversation. I'm starting to perspire, my hands are damp, my clothing is sticking to my body.

The pounding of footsteps vibrates up the stairwell causing me to run up the stairs. I pass a large bold black, red and white sign which I can't read but I recognise it's a warning sign of some kind. I ignore it.

The stairs end and my only route to get away from the tapping footsteps which are getting louder is through a set of doors leading into an odd space. Not a room, not a corridor. There is no furniture, no signs, only a door.

The possibility of me leaving this building alive is disappearing rapidly. Actually, it's probably already reached zero. Murmuring voices from the stairwell behind me sends me dashing towards the door.

My heart slams against my ribcage, my hands slip on the cold metal handle but I manage to open it and I stumble inside, expecting to come face to face with an Official.

It's empty. A dark wide room is illuminated by the faint glow of streetlights entering through tall windows overlooking the main square outside. High ceilings and shelves of books surround ornately carved furniture.

Leaning my ear against the door, I hear what I assume are footsteps outside. I can't go back out there but there's nowhere to hide in here. Scanning the room, I notice the faint outline of a door in the panelled wall. It's similar to the hidden doors some of my client's would have in their buildings.

I run over to it and push gently which releases the door, opening it up slightly.

The main door behind me opens and I dart through the hidden door without checking what's on the other side. It's careless but I've lost the ability to think rationally. Faced with my impending death, the urge to live has kicked in. I'm not ready to die, not yet. Why did I say I would do this?

Stumbling in, I crouch down and crawl along the wall without closing the door behind me.

The room is a strange combination of dark and bright. There are no main lights overhead. Large eerie shadows are created by glaring white light pouring from numerous screens perched on desks which are separated into cubicles.

Crawling along the wall none of the huddled individuals sitting in their compartments turn. They are unaware of my presence, absorbed by the monitors positioned in front of them as they speak into headsets.