Secrets Of His Playhouse(Slowly Editing)

Fifteen

Jermany's POV

"Jerma, you're the only person I've trusted ever since I've been here. We might not know each other well, but I trust you with my life. I trust that you and you alone will understand and help me." Paula says with a sad voice.

"Just tell me, and I'll try my best to help you. What do you need all this for?" I ask Paula.

"Tomorrow. 9pm. By the side gate. I'm going to break out of my prison. I need you to help me." She says taking my hands in hers. "Because tomorrow is the day I escape the playhouse, and I want you to come with me."

I stand fixed to a spot. The shower is still running, drowning out our voices from external ears. It takes a while for me to process what she had said. Paula is going to escape from the playhouse. How is that even possible? The only way out is through the garage or through the elevator? What the hell is a side gate? Even if she intends to escape, she will definitely get caught, for sure.

"How? That isn't possible." I say.

"It is. Ever since I got here, I've wanted to escape. My plan has always been to escape as soon as he treated my grandma. Before I came here, I told my grandma that as soon as he treated her, she should head to Seattle and await my return. And now the time has come. The coma only delayed the inevitable."

"But how Paula? The security here is so tight especially at night, how do you plan to do it?"

"I've studied them. From day one I've been studying them." She lets go of my hand and carries the book, flipping through its pages. "Every Thursday of every week, Shawn Phillips goes home by 8pm. Every Thursday of every week, Big Tim takes his duty post by the side gate by 6pm. The side gate is a mini door that leads to some alley way all the way in Manhattan."

"How does a gate here lead all the way to Manhattan?"

"The gate is just a disguise for what's behind it; an underground tunnel used for emergencies only. Anyway, once Shawn Phillips leaves by 8:00 Big Tim decides that since the boss is away, it is an appropriate time for him to sleep on the job. He's been doing that for the past two months now, and no one has ever caught him. It's a never-ending cycle and tomorrow, that cycle will be their downfall."

"Paula, how can you be so sure?"

"I just am. Look at this." She shows me a page with a map drawn on it. The map has many scribbles of red ink linking one spot on the map to another spot until they all meet at an ultimate destination, a gate; the side gate. "I've been at it for two months, I can't be wrong. This is my-our chance. If you still have doubts, then we can test my theory out tonight, by 8pm. Please say yes, I won't forgive myself if I leave you here and go."

I chew on my bottom lip quietly, deep in thought. Shawn was cruel, but Peter was even worse. Even if Shawn leaves Peter will still be a problem. If we were to get caught, that would be the end for us. A loud knock on the door breaks me out of my thoughts. Paula and I exchange looks before she turns off the shower and we step out of the bathroom. She unlocks the door, then opens it to reveal an enormous man.

"Yes?" Paula asks sternly.

"Mr Philips wants to see you." He says with a matching tone.

"Why?" Paula asks.

"Not you," he gives her a look before turning to me. "You."

"Me?" I say at the same time that Paula says "Her?"

"Yes, he is waiting for you in the garage." These are his last words before he leaves us. Paula turns to me with fear and worry clear in her eyes.

"Do not drink any coloured substance he offers you. If he insists on you drinking something, ask for bottled water and open it by yourself. Do not pour it in a cup. He might have drugged the cup. I hope you've been taking your self-defence classes seriously, you're going to need it just in case. Good luck." She hugs me tightly before letting me go.