Chapter 5
997words
White walls reflected harsh light down the endless hallway.
The air reeked of disinfectant, turning my stomach.
I clutched the pistol in my sweaty palm, my back drenched with cold fear.
Each step felt like walking on razor blades.
My mind raced, cataloging every detail around me.
Two massive guards stood at the corridor's end like stone sentinels before the operating room.
Where was Ethan?
Hadn't he promised to distract them?
Why hadn't he made his move?
My heart sank lower with each step.
Had he abandoned me? Or been caught?
"Move faster, Miss Lane," the nurse on my left urged, her fingers digging into my arm.
I stumbled, my enormous belly making movement awkward.
Suddenly, a piercing scream erupted from the corridor's far end!
"Help! Murder!"
Ethan's voice!
His performance was flawless.
The guards' faces transformed as they barked into their radios: "Emergency in Zone A! All personnel respond immediately!"
Without hesitation, they sprinted toward the commotion.
Perfect!
Seizing the moment, I drove my elbow into the right nurse's temple with every ounce of strength!
Crack!
She dropped without a sound, crumpling to the floor.
The other nurse's face drained of color as her mouth opened to scream.
I gave her no chance!
In one fluid motion, I whipped out the gun and slammed its butt against her neck.
She collapsed beside her colleague.
The entire takedown took less than three seconds.
Clean. Efficient.
I surprised myself with my own ruthless efficiency.
When fighting for survival, we're capable of things we never imagined.
Without wasting a precious second, I turned and ran opposite the guards' direction.
I needed to reach the first floor's back entrance, where Ethan had supposedly prepared a car.
Alarms suddenly blared throughout the building.
Red emergency lights strobed, casting my shadow as a grotesque, dancing monster on the walls.
My heart thundered as my pregnant belly became my greatest hindrance.
Each step sent stabbing pain through my abdomen.
But I couldn't stop.
Capture meant the end of everything.
"Stop! Don't move!"
Angry shouts and pounding footsteps erupted behind me.
They were gaining!
A quick glance revealed at least five guards, all wielding stun batons.
I gritted my teeth and pushed harder.
The stairs!
The fire escape—just ahead!
If I could reach it, I might have a chance!
I lunged for the stairwell, but as I shoved open the heavy door, a dark figure sprang from nowhere and kicked me viciously in the stomach!
"Aaagh!"
Blinding pain exploded through my body.
I flew backward like a rag doll, slammed against the wall, then tumbled down the stairs.
The world spun violently.
Every bone felt shattered.
Warm liquid gushed between my legs.
Blood…
And amniotic fluid…
I was going into labor…
Through blurred vision, I glimpsed my attacker.
Angela Pierce!
Her delicate face had transformed into a mask of pure hatred.
"You filthy bitch! Thought you could escape?" She descended toward me, eyes gleaming with venom. "Today, you and that bastard inside you both die here!"
"Why…" I croaked, barely able to form words.
"Why?" She laughed hysterically. "Because you deserve to die! How dare some worthless nobody have what should be mine? A healthy womb! Benjamin's child! They're MINE!"
She'd completely lost control.
The security guards arrived, freezing at the scene before them.
"Ms… Ms. Pierce…"
"What are you waiting for?!" Angela screamed. "Grab her! Get her to surgery NOW! I want to watch them cut that womb out of her!"
The guards exchanged uncomfortable glances before moving to surround me.
I closed my eyes in despair.
Was this the end?
After all my struggling and planning, was this still my inescapable fate?
NO!
I couldn't surrender!
My eyes flew open as I raised the gun with trembling hands, aiming at the nearest guard.
"S-stay back!" My voice shook with pain, but my eyes burned with determination. "Or I'll shoot!"
The guards froze, shocked by the weapon in my hand.
Angela paused briefly, then let out a mocking laugh.
"Shoot? You? Little Olivia who's probably never even killed a spider? You think waving that gun makes you dangerous?"
She moved closer, her face twisted with sick excitement.
"Go ahead, shoot! Right here!" She jabbed a finger at her heart. "Don't you want to live? Then pull the trigger! DO IT!"
My finger trembled on the trigger.
Sweat and tears blurred my vision.
Kill someone?
Could I really…?
BANG!
A gunshot exploded through the stairwell.
But I hadn't fired.
The bullet grazed Angela's cheek, embedding itself in the wall behind her.
Angela screamed and collapsed in terror.
Everyone whirled toward the source of the shot.
From the top of the stairs, Ethan descended slowly.
He held another gun, barrel still smoking.
His eyes were cold and deadly.
Ignoring Angela's crumpled form, he came straight to me and helped me up.
"Liv! Are you alright?" Urgency and fear filled his voice.
"I think—I'm in labor," I gasped through waves of pain.
Ethan's face transformed. He stripped off his coat, wrapped it around me, and lifted me into his arms.
"Stop!" One guard found his courage, pointing his stun baton. "Put her down!"
Ethan's eyes locked on him with predatory coldness.
"If you want to live, get out of my way."
Carrying me, he moved deliberately toward the stairs.
Not one guard dared move—the murderous intent radiating from him froze them in place.
Angela scrambled up, screaming hysterically: "Stop them! Don't let them leave!"
Without looking back, Ethan spoke coldly:
"Angela, tell Victoria the game has only just begun."
With that, he carried me around the corner and vanished.
I slumped against his chest, consciousness fading.
I vaguely heard an engine roar to life.
Then came a violent lurch.
Had we… escaped?
With my last ounce of strength, I clutched his collar.
"The USB…"
"I have it. Don't worry." His voice steadied me.
I exhaled with relief and surrendered to darkness.
