I exited the bathroom stall and was out the door and down the hall to my left like a stray bullet. After arriving at the entrance to the staircase, I paused and waited for the detector to switch angles as it does every 10 seconds. Then once I was out of its reach, I made a jump over to my left straight down to the other staircase. I landed as lightly as I could on my feet and then slid down the handlebar, just as I’d practiced. I rinsed and repeated this pattern for the next two levels, taking care not to step one foot out of place so as to set off the alarm.

I think my heart will explode, as my usually calm self in the face of danger was now confronted with an unusual fear. I wasn't sure what scared me the most: death, spending my life in prison or never seeing my old man again. Although my mind is frightened, I could feel my body’s reluctance to give up and give in to the fear.

I want to suppress the hammering in my chest, but there's no way that will happen now. I don't regret it though. Coming here, getting him involved, and plotting our escape… Maybe we can get out of this alive. Maybe, just maybe, we can actually escape.

Where exactly does that leave us?

Alex…

I feel the grim reaper looming over me. How come I managed to remain so fearless my entire life? Am I no longer brave? While dashing down this unlit hallway, frantically counting the numbers on the doors up from 50- I am terrified.

But I'm still counting. Then is this true bravery?

Have I been a coward my whole life?

I’m here!

My stomach churned as the demon butterflies in my stomach made me almost vomit from excitement. I immediately began punching in incorrect 6-digit codes; in order to get to a third failed attempt. After three failed attempts, the system will acknowledge the threat of an attempted break-in and will trigger an alarm awakening the dormant back-up security system and the mother AI. However, the system was built with a failsafe, for instances where a guard just happens to have made one too mistakes, for example, he can immediately punch in a 6-digit default code that will relay as an authority's distress signal.

*Access Denied* the screen flickers red *Access Denied*

And the moment of truth came tumbling down like a ton of brick. I felt the blood rushing through the veins in my head as I punched in the default code digit by digit. The tips of my fingers are as sweaty as the armpit of a 30-year-old obese man working the treadmills. Within 5 seconds, the door will either fly open or the backup security system will go off and in a matter of minutes, I’ll be surrounded.

3…

2…

1…

I released the air caught up in my lungs as the door flew open. I walked right in and shut it behind me. I start sorting through the items, checking for number 8356Z.

There were no words to describe this moment. All I can say is, I am glad it will finally be over. It was only three days ago, that Alex and I were being held in special confinement under suspicion for our involvement in the death of Eason and Clinton Wells. The next morning, we were released, as no evidence was found. Some final destination shit…

Anyways, that morning after being brought back to our cell, The guards remained in the close distance as we took a shower and made our way to the lunchroom. They even added extra security there, stating that it was for our own protection. But, I had a feeling that we weren't the ones they were protecting.

“Well, this sucks…” Alex snickers.

“Tell me about it,” I cheekily remarked.

I took a spoon full of my oatmeal and in careful observation, notice the glances and daggering stares being thrown at me. Alex chuckles.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“Oh nothing, I was just thinking how selfish you are,”

“What?” I puzzled.

“You’ve now taken both titles as being the most feared and the most hated person in the prison. I mean, come on, give someone else a chance” He teased.

“Oh, you think that’s funny?”Actually, it kind of was. “How about next time, I leave your ass to be toasted and we’ll see what kind of nicknames they’ll come up with for you then, huh?”

“Jeez, calm down old man.”

Old what?

I stopped the spoons entry to mouth and stared at him with cow eyes “How is being 25 old?”

His eye rolled skyward as he turned his head to me and asked. “You call me kid all the time. How is being 18 makes me a kid?”

I laughed out knowingly“Ha! You’re technically not eighteen, yet!”

His spoon fell midway from his mouth, jingling against the surface of the table scattering what portion of porridge he'd intended to fill his mouth with,

“How did you know that?”

PRESENT

There it is!

I found the shipment and dragged it out from the corners and out in the open. Sadly, my celebration was short lived as before long, I heard on the other end of the door, numbers being punched into the lock.

My eyes darted, paused and scanned before I scurried across the room and hid behind a cluster of shelves and packages. With no weapon to reach for I scrunched down and peered through some boxes.

Staring breathlessly, as the door flew open…