Chapter 25

Chapter 25
Lila’s POV
My eyes snapped open the moment I knew Ronan was gone. It was torturous to have him next to me, saying all those mushy things. I didn't expect anyone to stay around me that long. His presence had my heart slamming hard against my ribs.
I had faked it all. From the convulsions at lunch to the collapse. My side still hurt from that dramatic fall, but I had to make it look real. Everything was a lie to get far away from him. Ironically, he came to stand by me until I almost yelled from frustration.
Thank Goodness he was gone now.
Yes, I pulled it off. A gentle laugh escaped from my bed. I thought I would get caught, but no one suspected me.
Ronan had sat by my bed, whispering promises. No more punishments, no more whips. I would be a fool to believe that. No fucking way. He would punish me again as soon as I showed some fire in the belly. My ass and clit still throbbed from his last punishment. The whip marks hadn't faded still.
I sat upright and the bed creaked. My eyes widened. I hoped nobody heard that. I looked around and sniffed. This ward stank of antiseptic. My bare feet hit the floor and I stepped away from the bed. This was my shot. I had to take this chance.
Although I needed to be fast, I had to be calculative. Rushing got me caught last time. I would have gotten away if not for that fucker Caius.
I thought about my sister as I walked further away from the bed. Was she in this clinic? Ronan swore he had saved her, but I didn't believe him. He was no better than Clark. I needed to see Mara with my own eyes.
My eyes darted around the room. Machines hummed under the bright light. The door was shut. There were no guards around at all. It was a perfect situation to escape.
I kept moving around the ward. My breath was shallow. A wave of hope and fear gripped me hard. If Mara was here, I would find her. There was also the chance was in a different hospital. Since her situation was quite critical. No matter what, I would find her.
My chest ached as I explored the ward. I checked the two other beds in the ward. Neither of the patients were Mara. What were the chances of Ronan putting me and Mara in the same ward? Absolutely zero. He didn't want me to see her. All his words at my bedside, as touching as they sounded, meant nothing.
I heard the footsteps approaching the door and I knew I had to get back to bed. It took a sprint to get me back to the right position before the door opened.
My chest heaved from my exertions. I swallowed and tried to stay as still as possible. A nurse stepped in, holding a tray. My eyes settled on her gray scrubs. Yeah, that was about my size.
My heart pounded so hard, I thought the nurse would hear it. She didn't, of course. I watched her go to the bed opposite mine.
This was another chance I couldn't miss. I slid off the bed, moving slowly. She leaned forward, reaching for the patient's wrist to check the monitor strapped there. I snuck up to her and swung my fist. It struck her neck hard. She gasped and the tray slipped off her hand.
Her knees buckled and she fell backward. I grabbed her, cushioning her fall. Yeah, the last thing I wanted was noise.
I dragged her to my bed with all my strength. My muscles protested, but I had to finish what I had started. She was way heavier than she looked.
Slowly, I took off her uniform and replaced it with my gown. I put on her scrubs, looking over my shoulder at intervals. Nobody came this way.
I tucked her into the bed properly and pulled the sheet over her face. I checked her pulse. It was there. Barely. So I knocked her out and I had a few minutes to escape.
Clipping her badge to my chest, I slipped out of the ward. I didn't run. Yeah, the urge to do that was intense, but I kept my head down and walked briskly.
I went through the clinic’s corridors, peeking into each wards at intervals. I was looking for Mara, for hint of her dark hair, small frame.
All I saw were dying humans and undead patients with glowing eyes. I almost threw up when I saw a patient with their gut completely ripped out in one of the wards. One of their shoulders was also bitten. It looked like they were attacked by vampires. Damn it, that must be painful.
I saw all that, but no Mara. Was she ever here? Maybe Ronan never took her anyway. Was my sister dead? My jaw clenched. I would never forgive Ronan if he let her die. I checked ward after ward. No sign of my sister.
The last ward was empty. I felt a chill run down my spine. That was it. Mara wasn’t here. Either she was in a different hospital or Ronan was a bloody liar. More and more, I suspected it was the later.
Escaping was all I had left now. I turned toward the exit just around the corner from the last ward. None of hospital staff I passed so far tried to talk to me. Maybe I had luck on my side or they were all too tired after a busy day.
I approached toward the exit. My heart was in my throat. The scrubs stuck to my sweaty skin. Freedom was close. Again. This time, Caius wasn't around to stop me.
I reached the door and noticed there was no knob. It only had a panel. My finger trembled as I touched the panel.
It flashed red, demanding for a thumbprint. Damn it! My print couldn't open the door. My escape plan had failed again.
Desperate, I pressed my thumb anyway.
Not recognized.
Goodness! Why me?
I couldn't think of a way out. Maybe I could return to the ward and change back into my patient outfit.
Shouts exploded behind me. I knew right away they had found me out.
“She’s gone!” a guard yelled.
An alarm wailed. I turned and saw undead guards charging.