“Who is it?” I call out shakily. But there’s no response.
Another knock.
I know. I know it’s them. I know they’re here.
The knocking turns into banging, louder now, more forceful, echoing in the small bathroom. My pulse spikes, my legs trembling beneath me.
I can’t breathe.
They’re not leaving. They won’t stop until they get in.
I need to run. I need to get out.
I glance around the bathroom, looking for an escape. My eyes dart to the window, my pulse racing as I rush forward to peek out. It opens into the back of the hall, and there’s a bush just below. A risk.
But the knocking behind me is getting louder, more forceful. The door is rattling now, and I know it won’t hold much longer. Panic surges through me, my hands trembling as I press them against the window frame, my mind is calculating.
I could try to make a run for it down the hallway, but they’ll have already blocked the exits. And the banging on the door makes it clear they’re not going to give up easily.
I think about it for a moment longer. The stakes. If I get caught, it’s over. I don’t know what they’ll do to me. I don’t know what Lukin will do when he finds me.
But I can’t wait around to find out.
I make my decision.
I pull up the hem of my gown, steadying myself as I climb out the window. The fabric drags against the edge, but I push it aside, forcing my legs through.
The drop isn’t far, just a few feet to the ground. My heart hammers in my chest, but I land softly, stumbling for a moment before catching my balance. I shut the window and hide behind the bush, my breath shallow, my body shaking with adrenaline.
I crouch low, my heart hammering in my chest, every muscle in my body frozen in place. The night air feels cold against my skin, but it’s nothing compared to the chill that’s sweeping over me. I hold my breath, praying they don’t notice me, don’t see me hiding in the shadows.
The sound of the bathroom door breaking down echoes in the still night air, sharp and loud. I flinch, my body tensing as the sound vibrates through me. They’re inside.
I know they’ll look out the window, because it’s obviously the only escape route, so I press myself deeper into the bushes, waiting with bated breaths and praying they don’t find me.
I can hear them—Lukin’s men—bursting into the bathroom, their movements swift and sharp, looking for any sign of movement, any trace of me.
They’re not going to stop until they find me.
I force myself to stay low, every instinct screaming at me to run, to get away before they make it outside. The wind picks up, rustling the leaves around me, but I don’t dare move.
They start moving around the room, tearing through the stalls, their boots stomping loudly in the stillness around me. They’re methodical, but there’s panic in their movements now. They know I’ve slipped away. They know they’re in trouble if they don’t find me. I don’t care.
I hold my breath again, keeping myself hidden behind the bush, heart racing in my chest. The fear claws at me, making it almost impossible to stay still, but I can’t afford to give myself away. They throw open the window and peek out, their practiced eyes scanning the area. None of them pay close attention to the dingy bush below because they probably can’t fathom I’ll be crouched on the floor, hiding behind it.
They’ll find me if I don’t stay calm. They’ll drag me back.
And worse—Lukin will make sure of it.
And then, slowly, after what feels like forever, they turn, scanning the area for a moment longer before vanishing from view.
My body moves before my brain can catch up. The moment the last of the men disappears into the building, I scramble to my feet, ignoring the sting in my legs as I push myself forward. I don’t stop to think—I just need to go.
I spot a cab parked on the corner, the driver lounging lazily inside it, waiting for his next fare. Without a second thought, I rush toward it, flinging the door open and jumping inside.
The door slams shut behind me, and I barely register the driver’s face as I rattle off my address, my voice panicked, breathless.
I don’t wait for him to respond. I don’t need him to speak. I just need to get out of here, away from the gala, away from the chaos that’s spinning faster than I can control.
