The Love of His Life - Prologue

 

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Prologue

Escape wasn't possible by planning. Opportunity was the only hand that could open the door to freedom for her.

Chloe Sullivan had waited patiently for almost four years for that door to open. Now it had and she didn't hesitate in the slightest to run--not walk--right through it.

The door to the laundry room was unlocked. It stood slightly ajar, barely a crack, but it offered a slim view into the laundry where a stack of soiled white uniforms lay in a pile four feet deep. There were blood stains on those uniforms, crimson on white, stark in contrast and ugly to see. 

Some of that blood was hers.

The guard had her back turned, fumbling in her pocket for change to the vending machine.

"Want something?" she asked.

"Cola would be nice."

"Don't have enough change for two drinks. How about a pack of chips?"

"Sounds good," Chloe said. She smiled when the guard looked at her, still unseeing of the security flaw right behind Chloe.

They were on camera but it was late, well past two a.m., and there was a slim chance the guard on duty down the hall was tired and not as observant as he should be.

"What kind?"

"Got any ranch or sour cream?" 

The guard squinted at the selection and nodded. "Sour cream."

"I'll have that."

The first coin slid in and clinked its way deeper into the machine.

Chloe's eyes darted to the security desk. The guard wasn't looking. She could see the camera aimed right at her.

The second coin slid in.

The decision had been made. Chloe had to act without hesitation. Neither guard was looking at her. The guard at the desk was yawning and rubbing his eyes. The guard who was supposed to escort Chloe back to her cell was reaching up to put the third and final coin into the slot. 

It was now or never.

Without a hint of uncertainty Chloe turned and pulled the door open enough for her to slide through. The door was like the entire lab, known by the inmates simply as the Facility, as smooth as a well-oiled machine. It made no noise and since none of the washers or dryers were active there was no increase in volume to alert the guards that anything was amiss.

She twisted the handle and pushed the door silently closed. When she released the handle she knew the door would lock automatically. That would only buy her a few seconds at best. The guard, when she realized her charge was gone, would use her key-card to open the door and come after her.

Running now, Chloe crossed the room in a flash. She'd just reached the door on the other side, the loading door that led to the lot outside, when an angry fist banged on the glass behind her.

She didn't bother to waste time looking back.

Her hand seized the handle and, thankfully, this door was unlocked as well. Chloe threw the door open to fresh, cool night air. She hadn't been outside in three years. Smelling outside air was momentarily disorientating because the moment was one she'd dreamed of so often. Now she was living it.

With that door slammed behind her Chloe hopped down the three foot drop to the ground below. Her slippered feet hit painfully hard but that didn't slow her down. She was required by her keepers to remain in excellent physical condition. She wasn't allowed to weigh more than 125lbs or less than 115. She was required to maintain an ability to run at least three miles without stopping to stretch or catch her breath.

They'd trained her well.

Pacing herself, Chloe settled into a quick but not overly taxing run, making her way toward the guard station. This was the final test. If she was captured she would be locked down so tight opportunity would never be able to offer its hand for help again.

Is this a test?

She didn't care if it was. She had a chance to escape and she was going to take it.

Her luck was starting to sour. The alarm sounded and the guard on duty rushed out of his guard shack. She put on a burst of speed. She was required to be able to run for three miles without stopping but she frequently ran four before she paused for a breath. If she had to she could push herself further.

She reached the guard as he began to pull the gun from its holster on his right hip. She slammed her index and middle fingers, slightly curved, into his throat. He gagged, his face filled with surprise and pain. Chloe knew a momentary stab of guilt for hurting another human being but that all passed when she reminded herself that he was trying to keep her captive.

She snatched the gun from his hands and reached into the shack to slap the gate release. Thankfully the gate began to trundle slowly open. She was now convinced this was a test after all. She'd ride it out as far as she could.

I don't know where I am.

The fence stopped rolling open. It was open just barely wide enough for her to squeeze through. She was too scared to hesitate. Hesitation would ensure failure. She threw herself at the narrow opening in the gate. It began to squeeze her when part of her left side was still caught. She ripped her shirt, and the flesh on her side, open when she forced her way through. 

My ankle is okay. I'll make it.

Chloe didn't know where the Facility was. She'd been blindfolded when her uncle, a general in the armed forces, had brought her here three years previously. All she could see was the vague impression of trees surrounding the Facility, blocking out the true landscape that lay beyond. She could be anywhere that was miles away from another living soul. In fact, she was certain that was the case. She couldn't imagine her luck would include being within walking distance of a convenient town or city where she could hide or appeal to the better nature of strangers who would protect her.

There was only one vehicle outside the gate. Chloe hoped it belonged to the guard and he would have the keys.

The car door was locked. She shot the window out. The bullet smashed through the driver's window and also left a hole in the passenger window. Chloe didn't care.

"You bitch! I just got that car!" the guard shouted.

Chloe checked the visor for the keys. They weren't there.

She aimed the guards own gun at him as more guards began to rush from the building.

"Give it up," he said. "You can't win. They're armed too."

"Give me the keys or I'll blow you away out of spite for fucking up my chance for escape," Chloe threatened.

She wouldn't have. She'd at least try to run on foot but this guard didn't know that. He didn't know her. 

There must have been something in her eyes because he believed her. He passed the keys through the gate and she climbed in.

The car, a fairly new red Mustang, fired smoothly to life on the first crank of the ignition. She was glad her father had taught her to drive a standard shift even though she was only fourteen at the time, before her black-hearted uncle had gunned him down to steal her and bring her to the Facility. She whipped the car around and gunned it toward the only road leading away from the Facility. She looked into the rear view mirror. 

Her uncle had reached the guard. He looked after the car as he put a gun to the guard's head and blew the man away.

Chloe drove on.

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