The Billionaire's Abused Bride

NO WAY OUT

CHAPTER 12:

The noise in the hallway did not stop. It got louder and closer. I felt really scared. I was sitting on the bed. I could hear people running and talking outside the room.

"They are clearing the floor, " I said quietly.

Ethan started moving fast. He did not hesitate anymore. "Get up " he said to me.

I looked at him. "What?" I asked.

"We do not have time " he said. He was already opening the drawer beside the bed. "Can you stand up?" he asked me.

My heart was beating fast. "I think so " I said.. That was not true. I was not sure if I could stand up.

I put my legs over the side of the bed. When my feet touched the floor I felt a pain. I was unsteady. I gasped. I had to hold onto the bed to support myself.

Ethan was beside me. "I have got you, " he said. He was holding me so I would not fall.

"I am fine " I said.. That was not true. I was not fine.

Ethan did not say anything. He just held me tighter. "Lean on me " he said.

I did what he said. I had to. The noise in the hallway was getting louder. Then I heard a door slam. A woman was shouting something. I could not understand what she was saying.

Then it was quiet. Really quiet. My chest felt tight.

"That is worse " I said quietly.

Ethan nodded. "Yes " he said.

When it is quiet it means someone is in control. It means they have taken over.

"Come on " Ethan said. He was pulling me toward the door.

"Wait " I said quickly. "What if they're right outside?"

Ethan did not say anything. He just went to the door. Listened.

My heart was beating loud. I was scared.

Then Ethan pulled back. "They are not here yet " he said.

"They will be " he added.

My stomach felt funny. I was really scared.

"We need to find another way out " I said.

"There is one " Ethan said. ". It is not easy."

"Nothing about this is easy, " I said.

Ethan almost smiled. "That is true " he said.

He opened the door a bit. He looked outside. Then he opened it wider.

"Stay behind me " he said.

I nodded. My hands were shaking.

We went out into the hallway. It felt wrong. It was too empty and too quiet. The lights were flickering. The doors were closed. There were no nurses or patients.

It was like the whole floor was empty.

"They cleared it fast " I said quietly.

Ethan did not say anything. He was looking around. His eyes were sharp and focused.

We moved slowly down the corridor. Every step felt too loud. I was scared.

My grip on Ethan's arm was tight. "What if they see us?" I asked.

"They will " Ethan said calmly.

That did not make me feel better.

We got to the end of the hallway. There was a sign that said "stairwell". Ethan turned toward it.

"That is our way " he said.

I felt a little better.. It did not last.

The stairwell door opened. A man came out. He was wearing black. His face was cold. I did not know him. I knew who he worked for.

"Ethan " I said quietly.

"I see him " Ethan said.

The man looked at us. He did not seem surprised.

"Go back " Ethan said quietly.

It was too late.

The man put his hand in his jacket. My heart started beating fast.

"Run!" Ethan said.

We turned around. Ran back down the hallway. My legs were hurting. I was in pain. But I was scared so I kept running.

Behind us I could hear footsteps. They were getting closer.

"Left!" Ethan said suddenly.

We turned into another corridor. It was shorter and darker. It was an end.

My heart sank.

"No " I said.

Ethan just moved toward a door at the end. It was locked.

"Move " he said quietly. He was taking something out of his pocket.

It was a tool. I was surprised. "You always carry that?" I asked.

"Always prepared, " Ethan said.

The footsteps were getting louder.

"Hurry " I said quietly.

Ethan was working on the lock.

Then I heard a click. The door opened.

"Inside " Ethan said.

We went in quickly. Ethan shut the door behind us. He locked it again.

The room was dark. It was small. Cramped.

I was breathing fast.

"Be quiet " Ethan said quietly.

I nodded. I put my hand over my mouth.

The footsteps stopped outside the door.

Then I heard a knock. It was slow and deliberate.

My heart stopped.

"Open the door " a voice said.

The voice was cold and unfamiliar.

I did not move. I could not move.

Ethan stayed still beside me. He was silent.

The handle turned.. The door was locked.

There was a pause. Then I heard a laugh.

"You cannot hide forever, " the voice said.

My chest felt tight.

They knew we were there.

"Come out now " the voice said, ". It will be easier."

Ethan's hand touched mine. It was light and reassuring.

His body was tense. He was ready.

I swallowed hard.

"Ethan, " I whispered.

He shook his head slightly. Not yet.

The silence stretched out.

Then I heard footsteps. They were fading away.

I let out a breath slowly.

"They are gone?" I whispered.

Ethan did not answer away. He went to the door. Listened.

Then he said, "They are not gone. They are waiting."

My stomach dropped.

Of course they were waiting. Why would they not be?

"We cannot stay here, " I said.

"No " Ethan agreed.

"What do we do?" I asked.

Ethan turned to me. His face was serious.

"We made a move they did not expect, " he said.

My heart was beating fast.

"What kind of move?" I asked.

Ethan hesitated. Just for a second.

Then he said, "The dangerous kind."

That did not sound good. At all.

Then I heard a sound from above us. It was a click. Then I heard a hum.

I froze.

"What is that?" I whispered.

Ethan's face changed. He looked alarmed.

"That is not good " he said.

The hum was getting louder.

My head was feeling strange. It was light and heavy at the time.

"What is happening?" I asked. My voice was unsteady.

Ethan grabbed my arm.

"We need to get out. Now " he said.

"Why?" I asked.

I already knew.

Because the feeling was familiar. Too familiar.

My vision was blurry. My thoughts were slow.

"No " I whispered.

Ethan moved toward the door. He unlocked it quickly.

"Stay with me " he said.

My body was not listening.

The hum was getting louder. It was stronger. It was like it was inside my head.

"Run!" Ethan said.

I could not run. My legs were not working.

"Ethan, " I murmured.

He caught me. He was holding me up.

"I have got you " he said urgently.

His voice was far away. It was fading.

"What is happening to me?" I whispered.

His grip tightened.

"They are trying to knock you out " he said.

It was Blackwood. I knew it.

"They found us " I murmured.

Yes.

My vision started to get all blurry around the edges.

Everything felt really heavy.

It was all so slow.

Something just felt wrong.

Ethan told me to stay awake.

I said I am trying.

I was l

osing it.

It was happening fast.

The last thing I saw was Ethan looking up at the ceiling.

Ethan had a dark look on his face.

He looked furious.

Then he said something.

I could barely hear what Ethan said.

Ethan said they are not taking me again.

Then everything went black.