6 Her Great Escape

When she was young, Sam remembered thinking that her mother was indeed an interesting person! She had always had an imposing figure, combined with the type of look that showed everyone on Court she wasn't playing games.

She was inspiring.

The same, however, couldn't be said about her driving skills. The woman seemed inherently incapable of telling left from right or arriving from point A to point B without making a detour through all the other letters on the alphabet.

It used to drive her very mundane, very calm father crazy. Every time her mom told him they would go out for a bit, Sam could almost see his dark hair growing a bit grayer, like he was ready to call for reinforcements and put a tracker on the car.

He never made a fuss, though. Never tried to control or restrict her. They simply had that kind of respect and loyalty for each other. She knew she would find her. And he knew, if things did really go south, he'd be hearing immediately of it.

Sam, particularly, could never understand that type of connection, nor she had time to appreciate everything they had to teach her. At the time, the only thing on her mind was to wonder which hidden treasure the two of them would discover on their next ride: a small square full of trees and greenery, a residential road where all the houses seemed to have come out of a garden magazine, an old and dry fountain they had never heard about...

And every time, when Sam was almost despairing from them ever finding their way home again, her mom would look at her and smile her beautiful smile, her deep green eyes shining before she said 'Don't worry Sammy, the world is too big to permit dead ends. We just need to find another way. There is always another way'.

It was the kind of phrase that she used whenever a case was particularly trying, or when she was stuck on something seemingly unsolvable.

'The world is too big to permit dead ends. We just need to find another way'.

Sam gasped, her breathing becoming difficult with the physical exertion.

'Well, mom, today, I really hope you were right!', she though gloomily, while skidding to the left on another courtyard and ignoring the dumbstruck expression of the servants as she darted past them.

The da*n place was like a labyrinth!

There were arcs and doors and entryways and yards and everything seamed to fit together in a most annoying, senseless way!

"Exit... Exit... Where are the traffic signs when we need them?" she mumbled to herself, dashing through a narrow alley between two particularly large buildings, one from which she could smell rice and chicken being prepared.

'Kitchen' she catalogued, hoping the outdoor wasn't too far. She didn't know if her recently found (on the most weird way, that's true) could stand it!

Truth be told, it had all been a bit of a mess.

After the panic attack, she could barely remember anything, just the sudden movements around her, the strange, worried faces, a man shouting orders and then a very bitter taste on her tongue, making her cough even more painful.

The darkness and silence that followed were enough for her to understand what had happened. It was probably a nervous brake down. She had been having a really bad nightmare. It was the only logical explanation... Right?

When her eyes opened again, this time with much more ease, it was already late. She thought someone saying she would be better in the morning... That it was all the shock... That her recovery from the accident would be slow.

'So, I'm really at a hospital' she sighed, closing her heavy lids again, feeling the sleep wrapping itself around her 'It was only a bad dream... Tomorrow everything will be back in place...'.

Just... It hadn't.

When she woke up the next morning, the same servant girl that had left screaming the day before was there, smiling politely at her.

"XiaoJie" she had said in a reassuring voice "Third miss is just having breakfast with Young Master... She will be here soon!".

Sam had only blinked. Slowly. Deciding whether her brain was still too hazy, mingling reality and dream. Or if it really was happening!

'No... it can't be.' she decided, watching warily as the girl went over the room, apparently tidying someone else's belongings. 'It really can't be!'.

And still...

"Third Miss will be so happy to see miss awake and well!" the girl went on, bringing her what looked like a tea tray "Miss really scared her yesterday... This servant is glad to see Miss is feeling better today!".

Sam frowned. What was with that way of speaking? And who the hell was she calling? 'Miss?'. Sam looked around her.

Yep. Still pretty much alone. On that very antiquate, very technophobic room. She couldn't see a single power plug anywhere! And where where the light bulbs? Tv, cables, anything...?

Oh God, what exactly was going on there?

She studied the girl from afar, considering for some very long minutes whether she should accept that cup of tea or worry about possible drugs that would knock her out?

"Hum... I'm sorry" she rasped, regretting the state her vey sore, very dry throat was in. Perhaps the tea was a good idea, after all "What did you say your name was...?".

The maid looked ready to bolt, uncomfortable to the point of being fidgety.

"Miss... This... This servant's name is Ah Bi" she stammered, still holding the tea for her.

Sam's eyes narrowed.

"Ah Bi" she repeated "So... Why are you calling me 'Miss'? Where exactly is this place? What is going on?".

CLACK!

The tea service hit the ground, the fine porcelain scattering in broken pieces all over the floor.

Gasping, the girl fell on her knees, her head low.

"Miss! This servant is sorry! This servant didn't mean it! This servant wouldn't dare!".

Before Sam could so much as blink – or at least ask what was going on – the girl had already gotten back up, saying she would clean it right away, and bolted to the door.

Sam could already hear her calling for a "Third Miss" and asking someone to summon a "doctor".

"Ah... What a mess" Sam sighed to herself, letting her pinned body fall from her elbows and his the mattress... She barely did anything, and was already so tired.

And now they were calling a doctor.

"I need to get out of here" she told herself worriedly, studying the room she was in for some way out. She could see the shadows of two guards posted outside her door, whispering with each other.

That place was too weird. She didn't know anyone, but everyone was calling her by the name of another girl... Asking her to stay calm... Acting as if the crazy one was her!

Her breathing started growing quicker, harder, her thoughts turning some dark curves as she studied the ceiling with a intensity that couldn't be healthy. It all felt out of place, like the room was closing down over her head, crashing her under its weight until nothing was left... Just as she was about to panic, a wave washed over her body. Soothing, fresh, like the cooling waters of a river on the peak of summer.

It took her an entire minute to understand that, whatever it was, was helping to clear her thoughts and soothing her muscles, feeling her body with a soft, light energy, till breathing wasn't that hard anymore.

Amazed, she held a hand up, studying her fingers with bewilderment. Just a moment before, that same movement would have cost her every bit of strength she could master.

Now... It was easy. Even flawless.

She frowned, looking a bit more closely to her hand. A very white, very delicate hand.

"Wait. What..."

Just then, she though she heard some movement coming from her right. Her head whipped to the side, just in time to see a dark shadow passing outside her window, its outlines barely visible through the light colored curtains. She frowned, blinking fast to clear her head. It had been so fast she wasn't sure she had seen anything.

Dam, if she would start about that, she would have to admit she wasn't sure of much at that moment.

The only thing she knew for sure was that she had to get out of there. Fast. She could not know much, but in her dictionary, being stuck on a weird place, being assisted by people with unknown reasons, was never a good sign.

And even if she was being a bit paranoid... Sam wasn't the type to take the risk and just wait and see.

"I have to get out of here" she mumbled, getting up with delight ease and walking up and down the large room, her ears trained on the door, waiting for the sign that the doctor had arrived.

He would probably try and sedate her again. Maybe even declare her crazy. Find a way to commit her, declare her legally incompetent... 'Maybe he already have' the dark thought invaded her head, bringing a sour taste to her mouth.

For just a second, she considered it could all have been David's doing. That place, she being interned in a far away hospital...

'He would have the formula, and no-one to sue his behind' that same, nasty, paranoid voice went on, making her body chilly.

No! Not even David would go that far.

Still, she couldn't help the feeling of disbelief, the pain, and then blinding rage burned inside her stomach, turning her hands into fists. If that stupid weasel thought he'd simply lock her up somewhere and she'd go down without a fight... Oh-oh, someone was in for a very rude awakening!

"No, no, that's Marvel Movie's sort of crazy!" she mumbled, massaging her temples "Just stop it!".

Why couldn't she simply dismiss the idea?! Maybe it was the stress...

"I have to get out" she whispered, hoping the sound of her voice would mute her thoughts "I have to get out of here... Now!".

The door... She looked at it. Still guarded. Definitely not an option.

Her eyes strayed to the windows. Maybe...

"Nope. Crazy idea. This is not a movie, Sam" she chided herself harshly.

But it was sorely tempting!!

Just then, she herd.

"Doctor Li, please, you have to help my sister!".

"Don't worry too much Miss Jiang... I'm sure she is quite fine. A few more nights well rested, it is probably what her head needs to heal".

Sam froze.

No time to consider the absurdity of it all.

Without letting herself regret her actions, she ran to the large windows, climbed a writing desk, scattering ink, brush and paper everywhere, and jumped out of the window, every time thanking her luck the building was ground level.

The painful thump of her heart followed her through the enormous property, just increasing Sam's sense of urgency every time she made a curve and bumped into someone.

"A way out, I need a way out... Where does it end... AH!" she exclaimed, almost crying in joy at the sight of the high, arched stone entrance of the Manor, guarded only by two guards.

She skidded to a halt, considering her options, still hidden from sight by the front building's wall. Soon enough, the news of her escape would spread, whatever she decided, it had to be quickly.

The two guards seemed rather ordinary... Not in the least the kind of people she would choose to make the security of a front door. But maybe that was not the front door... How could she know?

Just then, something seemed to catch their attention, as the two exchanged a worried glance, holding their arms tighter and running to the left, screaming for reinforcements.

Sam sighed. it seemed, for once, Lady Luck was on her side!

Without dwelling on anything else, she dashed in front, crossing the threshold with a rush of relief, happiness and pride so strong that made her head spin.

Whenever they came back, whenever people started looking for her, Sam would be already far away.

She would go home.

In a matter of seconds, she was already out of sight, lost between the hundreds of people that crowded the streets.