Chapter 4

Heather’s POV

I didn’t even get the chance to react.

The moment I stepped back, the two men moved too fast.

Hands clamped onto my arms, dragging me before I could even scream properly.

“No.. let go of me!” I shouted, struggling violently.

It didn’t matter.. They were too strong.

Like I was nothing more than a rag doll in their grip.

They hauled me back into the room, the door slamming shut behind us with a final, suffocating bang.

Panic exploded inside me.

“No! Let me go, you monsters!” I screamed, kicking, twisting, fighting with everything I had left.

But they held me down onto the bed helplessly.

My wrists were grabbed and legs restrained.

And all Vivianne did was laugh.

A soft and satisfying laughter

“Oh… this is so satisfying,” she said, stepping closer.

My heart pounded violently as I glared at her.

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for this?” she continued, her voice dripping with pleasure.

She stopped beside the bed, looking down at me like I was nothing.

“Adrian here suggested we just pay you off,” she said casually. “Imagine that.”

I turned my head sharply toward him.

“Adrian…” my voice broke. “Please..”

But Vivianne cut me off.

“And risk you coming back someday, causing more problems and Looking for my child?” she scoffed. “No chance.”

“You’re sick!” I spat, struggling harder. “Both of you are sick!”

My eyes locked onto Adrian’s.

“Please…” I whispered this time. “I’ve done nothing but love you Adrian.. please let me go..”

But he didn’t move nor did he speak.

He just stood there in silence, his eyes empty.

That alone hurt more than anything.

Vivianne leaned closer, her smile dark.

“Don’t worry,” she murmured, clicking her fingers against the syringe held up. “This won’t kill you.”

My stomach dropped.

“At least… not yet.”

“No..!” I jerked against their hold, but it was useless.

One of the men grabbed my arm, holding it out firmly.

I thrashed. Screamed. Even begged.

But the needle was already there.

And seconds later.. a sharp pain tore through me..

The liquid burned as it pushed into my veins.

Vivianne smiled like she had just won a lottery ticket.

The men released me and for a split second, hope flared.

This was my chance.

I pushed up.. but my body failed me.

Completely.

My legs felt invisible under me as dizziness slammed into my head.

My vision blurred instantly.

“No…” I whispered, trying to steady myself.

Vivianne’s mocking laughter came, distant but clear. Then she said

“Now, be a good girl and sleep quietly,” she said sweetly. “We’ll be outside discussing your final arrangements.”

Final. Arrangements?

Death?

I forced my head up to see her wave at me smiling.

Then linked her arm with Adrian’s.

He didn’t resist as they both walked out together.

The men followed behind them.

And then..

The door clicked shut.

My breathing came out in shallow gasps.

“No…” I whispered. “No… no, no…”

The drug was working way too fast.

My limbs felt heavy and my head spun.

But I forced myself to move.

I had to.

I swung my legs off the bed again, nearly collapsing as my feet hit the floor.

“Move…” I muttered to myself. “Move!”

I staggered forward, grabbing onto anything I could.

The wall, the edge of the bed.. anything.

Each step felt like I was walking through water.

Slow and heavy.

My vision flickered in and out, darkness creeping at the edges.

But I kept going.

I reached the door and my hand trembled as I gripped the handle.

Slowly and carefully, I opened it.

Just a little, I peeked out as my heart pounded.

I saw them.. Adrian, Vivianne and A doctor.

They stood down the hall, their backs partially turned, voices low.

None of them were looking at the door.

This was it!

This was my only chance!

I slipped out quietly, every movement slow and deliberate.

Don’t look back.

Don’t make a sound.

Don’t get caught.

I turned the opposite direction.

And walked.

No… I Staggered.

Each step felt worse than the last but I didn’t stop.

I turned the corner and was soon out of sight.

Then I ran.

Or at least, I tried to but my body betrayed me, but I pushed forward anyway until I reached the elevator.

I slammed the button with shaking hands.

“Come on… come on…”

The doors opened.

I stumbled inside and collapsed.

The moment the doors closed, I slid to the floor, sweat soaking my skin.

A weak laugh escaped me.

“I made it…” I whispered.

The elevator jerked to life and started moving.

Then.. suddenly it stopped.

Red lights flooded the small space.

An alarm blared, loud and deafening.

I flinched, covering my ears.

Then a voice came through the speaker.

“Attention. Emergency lockdown in progress. A mental patient with violent tendencies has escaped. We urge all patients to return to their wards..”

I froze.

A bitter, broken laugh escaped me.

Of course.

Of course that’s what they’d say.

So no one would help me.

So no one would question it when they dragged me back.

“No…” I whispered, forcing myself up. “I won’t let them…”

Then a countdown started.

10

My heart raced.

8

I slammed the open button repeatedly.

“Open!”

6

The doors began to slide open… slowly.. too slow.

4

Almost halfway open

But then

It started to close again.

“No!” I lunged forward, throwing my body through the gap just as..

2

The doors slammed shut behind me.

I hit the ground hard, gasping. I looked up to see..

Second floor.

I made it out.

But the hospital was locked down.

No open exits.

No way to escape.

Unless…

The basement.

My eyes darted around wildly.

People were moving faster now.

Nurses rushing handicapped patients..

Regular patients, confused.

Chaos everywhere..

Then I saw the sign in red.

Emergency Exit → Stairs.

I pushed myself up and staggered toward it.

The drug was hitting harder now.

My vision blurred, my legs felt like they didn’t belong to me.

But I pushed the door open and stumbled inside.

Down!

I had to go down!

One step came after another..

My grip on the railing tightened as I forced myself lower.

Almost there.

Almost..

But I heard footsteps, pounding above me, fast.

Then a voice.

“There! She’s down on the first floor!”

My blood ran cold.

They found me.

“Shit…” I breathed, forcing myself to move faster.

I half-ran, half-fell down the stairs, my body screaming in protest.

But I couldn’t stop, not when I was this close.

Finally… I reached the basement door…

I burst through the door and stumbled out into the open street.

The cold air hit me and It made the dizziness worse.

But I didn’t stop.

I ran.. I tried to run

A gunshot rang out.

I ducked unconsciously, my body swaying just enough for the bullet to miss.

People on the streets screamed and scattered.

Chaos erupted around me.

Then another shot and missed.

My chest heaved as I pushed forward.

Then I caught sight of a bus across the street.

If I could just get on it.. I’d be safe.

I forced my legs to move faster, stepping onto the road without care…

A loud horn blasted at me and I froze.

My head turned slowly.

Blinding headlights rushed toward me.

It was too fast and close

Before I could dodge, my hands involuntarily shot up to my face as a yell erupted from my lungs…

Then…Impact.

And everything went dark!