Chapter 42 – Escape

Harmoni

It had been two days since I was in the basement, or at least that’s what I think. I kept drifting in and out of consciousness due to the bruising on my body and the lack of water or food. I was starting to weaken, and soon enough I wouldn’t be able to stand, let alone escape.

I hadn’t seen Jessie again either, which was for the better. I despised him. I still hadn’t come to terms with what he had done. I didn’t quite understand either why I was here. Everything they said was vague, at least to me. It had been two very long days, which I hope I could get back to or have simply remained unconscious for, but I hadn’t been so lucky.

They had pulled me down from the hook I hanged from the next morning, and my arms screamed in agony from the change. They would come in from time to time, create a few new bruises on my body, then take pictures and leave again.

A large bruise had formed on my abdomen. I think they might have dislocated one of my shoulders from the constant pain it was radiating, and one of my eyes was swollen nearly shut. I must be pretty, I laughed darkly.

Was this it? Was this how I was going to die? Alone, hungry, beaten, and betrayed? Was William getting closer to finding me? Did they have any leads? Would they be here before I met my fate?

If I had known this would happen, I would have done a lot of things differently. Maybe spend more time with the people that mattered, like my father, Em, William, and Selena. My heart tightened at the thought of them. I missed them terribly. I wish I could tell them how much I loved them, how much they meant to me.

The metallic sound of the chains sounded when I pulled my hand up to wipe the tears away. These damn chains, I had tried getting out of them so many times, my wrists were scratched bloody. They wouldn’t budge. I even thought about breaking my wrists to slip them off as I had seen in movies and series, but then I would probably need to break my ankles as well, and that just didn’t make any logical sense.

I needed a key, and no matter how many times they came and beat me, I was never close enough to the keys. Well, it was also pretty hard to focus when John was diving his fist into my gut or across my face.

I needed to find a different way. Could I seduce a guard? The thought alone made me want to throw up, and god knows I needed to keep the last bit of food in my stomach.

My thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open. I scurried back into the corner, even if I knew there was no way I could hide from John or anyone coming down the stairs. To my surprise, the traitor himself stood there, walking down at a fast pace, while turning his head to check behind him.

He rushed towards me, making me flinch. Was he here to beat me too?

“I’m so sorry, you have no idea how sorry I am. I didn’t know they would do this. They were only supposed to hold you until Caprica came to get you. They promised they wouldn’t hurt you. God, I’m so stupid, how could I have believed them?” Jessie rambled as he pulled a key out and started unlocking my chains. I sat there, shocked for a few seconds, before getting up.

If this was my one chance at getting out of this shithole, I sure as hell was going to take it. I didn’t bother answering Jessie, I stumbled up and tried running away, but my body was too weak and rusty from the lack of movement.

Jessie didn’t waste any time. He grabbed one of my arms and lifted it over his shoulder, supporting most of my weight as we made our way up the stairs. “We need to be fast. They are going to realize you’re gone any minute now,” he said as we walked out of the basement. I noticed a man slumped against the wall but didn’t pay him any more attention.

Jessie led the way quietly. My legs started getting used to the feeling of walking again, so I removed my arm from him, and we walked faster.

“The door is straight down this hall, then second to your right, and all the way at the end. Once you’re out, run and don’t stop. I know I have no right, but please tell Em that I’m sorry and that for what it’s worth, I truly loved her,” he whispered, tears glistening in his eyes. I nodded my head in response as my throat tightened. Why did this feel so much like goodbye?

We had nearly reached the second hallway when a voice boomed.

“WHERE THE FUCK IS SHE?!” James seethed, probably from the door of the basement. Soon enough, one of the guards who was running towards the fuming man spotted us.

“Stop!” he said, pointing at us.

“Run!” was all Jessie said before he took a fighting stance in front of the guard. I didn’t need to be told twice. I turned a corner, still darting my eyes right and left for any more attackers. I heard a gunshot ring and covered my ears as I ran faster. The sound of Jessie's screams reached my ears, but I didn’t dare to turn around, nor did I feel obligated to.

There was light at the end of this corridor. One straight line to freedom. The thumping of my heart was all I could hear at that moment. My blood still pumping with adrenaline. I tried to move faster, but the lack of energy was making my body cry out in exhaustion.

I could hear screams behind; they were getting closer.

It wouldn't be long before they caught up with me. I finally reached the door and pulled it open, running outside and down the metallic stairs. My heart was pumping so hard I was afraid it would jump out of my chest. Once my feet hit the concrete, I sped off.

"One more step and I'll shoot you dead,” I heard the voice threaten from behind me. I hadn’t made it far enough in time. I stopped dead in my tracks, raising my hands above my head as I slowly turned around to face the man. He was still at the top of the stairs, but since it was an open space, he had a clear shot of me.

"Get back to the basement, before I blow your brains out,” he hissed, dangling his gun in front of me. He was still a few steps away from me, but I knew when I had lost. There was no way I could escape now, at least not with a man pointing a firearm directly at my face. I wouldn't make it two feet before meeting my maker. I was about to start walking back when a gunshot was heard.

~Did he just shoot me?~

The answer came when the man fell to his knee, screaming out in pain.

"She's not going anywhere,” I heard a voice behind me say. Carefully turning around, my eyes went as wide as a saucer at the scene in front of me.

Twenty people, men, and women were standing there, all aiming their guns at my attacker. My adrenaline must have made me too narrow to focus to hear them arrive.

My throat tightened as I recognized the person standing at the forefront. The person that had spoken. The person that was leading my rescue team.

"Mom?"