Chapter 3 - The Cold Floor
The heavy oak doors swung shut, the mechanical latch clicking into place. Eleanor’s footsteps faded down the quiet corridor, accompanied by the heavy, tactical tread of two hired mercenaries.
For nearly two minutes, the only sound in Operating Room 4 was the steady, frantic beep of a heart rate monitor attached to Lily’s tiny wrist, and the child's hitching breaths.
Maya waited until the pulse monitor stabilized slightly before she moved. Every muscle in her body screamed as she slowly slid out from under the stainless steel gurney. Her grey hoodie was caked in grime and blood; her hands trembled so violently she could barely push herself upright.
Lily gasped, scrambling backward toward the headboard, her eyes wide with terror. "Who are you?"
"Shh... baby, please," Maya whispered, bringing a bruised finger to her lips. She reached out, her hands shaking, and cupped Lily’s small face. "I'm Maya. I'm a friend. Your mommy... your mommy sent me."
It was a lie—Lily’s mother had died under mysterious circumstances three years ago—but it was the only key that could turn the lock of the child’s trust.
Lily’s eyes welled with fresh tears, but she stopped screaming. "Grandma said... she said you were a bad person who wanted to hurt me."
"Your grandma is the monster, sweetie," Maya said, her voice tight with raw emotion as she unhooked the heart monitor clips from Lily’s fingers. "We have to leave. Now. Can you walk?"
Lily nodded weakly, her small bare feet swinging over the edge of the metal gurney. "Where are we going?"
"Out," Maya said, pulling the child down into her arms.
Maya moved to the heavy surgical doors, pressing her ear against the cold metal. Outside, the hallway was deathly quiet, flooded with the same sterile blue light. But Maya knew the illusion of safety was short-lived. Eleanor’s men were sweeping the floors systematically. It was only a matter of time before they realized the archivist had never left the surgical suite.
May you like
Maya reached into her hoodie pocket, feeling the hard, metallic edge of the USB drive. It was her only shield, her only weapon, and the reason two people were already dead.
She grabbed Lily’s tiny hand, squeezing it tight. "Hold onto me, Lily. Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand."
