The Great Escape

Slivers of light poked at my face, forcing me awake. It was a new day. The sunlight caressed the curtains as they brightened up the room. What a lovely day - it almost made me forget about the body bag on the floor.

The ear-splitting cries of the toddlers next door shook me out of my trance - it vaguely reminded me of little Janice’s screams from last night. The metallic smell of blood had seeped through the cracks between the zippers, crowding the room. My mind envisioned patches of crimson where the scent had trailed.

I needed an escape plan, before it was too late.

My feet slid across the floor, crumbs and bundles of lint prodding against their soles. As I neared the window, I peeked an eye between the silver curtains. A family of four bursted through the room next door. Thunderous stomps of their sneakers shook against the ground, sending rumbles of vibration against the floor. My ears rung at the pitchy tone of the neighbors; I sunk my nails deep into the meat of my palms; gritting my teeth in annoyance and bumping my head against the tinted glass.

The thumping in my head drowned out their blaring shouts - it was starting to give me a headache. My head was stuffed with cotton; it was as if my arteries had been clogged from the toes, up. The slight tinge of rusted iron strayed further into my nose, as if it was crawling deep into my brain. My vision blurred as they strayed further, and further from the window.

Finally.

I felt a frown creep up my face as I stared longingly at my car. I felt compelled to it - in all its sleek, silver glory. It beckoned me over. I could almost make out its pleading cries.

The sun’s rays flowed gracefully against the concrete, illuminating the empty parking lot. The room was quiet, save for the cheering of faraway guests, relishing in the radiance of a new day. Cars of all the colors of the rainbow raced against the scorching asphalt, savoring the joyous weather.

At this rate, I would never make it out.

The longer I waited, the larger the crowd grew. People of every kind came rushing out of their rooms, speed walking to the beloved breakfast buffet. How convenient - the buffet sat innocently atop my room.

The heavy thumps of footsteps echoed against my ceiling, creating such a nuisance of a rhythm. The subtle hints of maple syrup and pancakes slipped beneath the crack of my door, coaxing me to grab a plate as well. My eyes scanned the plates of guests who walked past, glistening streams of syrup running across the golden, pillowy cakes - a glossy pad of butter sitting prettily on top.

Crap. I couldn’t get distracted.

I couldn’t wait any longer - with each tick of the clock, more people arose from their abodes, drooling and trailing behind each other for breakfast.

I sucked in a breath, lips sealed together - one breath would give me away. I yanked the body bag up against my right arm, with my keys clutched in my left. It was time.

A swift turn of the key had me sprinting to the car - I blocked out all the questioning stares. My legs burned white hot at the movement, but I couldn’t care. I panted and huffed, feeling my breath ripping its way between my lips. The soles of my shoes ricocheted with every stomp as I grew closer and closer to the car.

My fingers twitched against the unlock button, itching to sink the pads of my finger against it.

And with three swift motions, I was in.