Flash Fiction (Stories under 1000 words)

Escape

You have to wait for the orderlies to be done with their laps on your floor. Pretend like you’re fast asleep in your bed, without a sane thought in your head. Then, once you can see no more lights, and hear no more footsteps in the hall, you scramble out of bed and head to the door. You had before stuffed the latch with toilet paper, so that it would appear locked when they shut you in for official lights out. It opens easily, and you check outside to make sure the hallway is truly empty. Then you go back to your bed, and flipping it over, pull out a small razor-blade. 

The vent in the bathroom is just your size, and you quietly unscrew its edges with your blade. One step after another in the dark ventilation system. Stay as quiet as possible. As quiet as possible. 

You will reach a large storage space, that contains a dumbwaiter that you can just squeeze into. Smack the down button and then quickly climb inside and push the doors closed before it begins to slowly move down. So far so good.

You reach the kitchen, full of pots and pans shining in the light of the moon. Quiet. Good. One more hallway. One big gate. And then you’re home free. 

You slowly, quietly make your way through the hallway. Lights. Hide. 

You’re grabbed by rough hands from behind. Scream. Thrash. Bite. Escape.

A needle is poked through your arm. Calm. Blurry. Black.

You awake in your room the next day.

You may never make it past that hallway. But you still have to try.