She's My Sleeping Pill

Seeing that everyone’s busy, she decided to make an excuse to leave the venue. “Nurse Judy, can you please look after the patients here first? I’d like to bring some food to other patients who couldn’t come.”

“That is fine with me but you have to come back soon. It’s almost New Year’s Eve.” the other nurse responded which Elia nodded in response. She didn’t want to say anything more since she wouldn’t be able to keep it anyway.

She ran out of the venue and jogged down the stairs until she was at the bottom. She checked the time on her wrist watch before grabbing the bag she has hidden under the bushes. She has two minutes left which was more than enough to change her hospital shoes to a pair rubber shoes. She needed something she’s comfortable with since she’d be running a lot.

She checked her phone and saw the message that Diana sent her. [We’re on standby. Waiting for your signal.]

Smiling, she deleted the messages and straightened up as if nothing happened. She dusted off her uniform and walked towards the kitchen of the hospital. She asked for three side dishes and two small bowls of rice. She felt guilty for using food as part of her tricks but she didn’t know what else to use except this.

On the third floor, Xian just got off the phone when he saw Elia running down the stairs as if someone was chasing after her. She didn’t even glance at him when he was just standing in the corridor. He didn’t know why but he was irritated when she ignored him.

.....

As if he was possessed, he followed her secretly downstairs and saw her changed her shoes. He frowned while watching but he didn’t say or do anything to interrupt her. He wanted to see what she was planning in secret. He followed her to the kitchen and his frown deepened when he saw her bring a tray of food to the opposite wing.

‘Didn’t they prohibit everyone from entering that wing if it’s not part of the schedule? How bold?’ He thought but he followed her anyway.

“Damn! Who’s that guy tailing her?!” Diana asked through her Bluetooth earpiece as she watched Elia using the CCTV cameras. She was responsible for hacking the security system; even though she wasn’t really great, she can still do something as basic as this. And that’s when she saw Xian following Elia secretly. She wanted to warn Elia but she was already on her way and it would bring suspicions if she keeps checking her phone.

“I heard that he’s Elia’s ex-boyfriend?” Artemis responded because she also heard of the gossip between Elia, Xian and the hospital director’s daughter. “I don’t know why he’s following her but it can’t be good. I heard that he hates her so much and no one knew of the reason. It’s as if he woke up and became another person.”

She continued to cuss the man while watching him from the screen of her laptop but soon, when Elia entered the building, he stopped walking and sat on the pavement. He planned to wait there for her.

Elia had no idea of this problem and just went to carry out her part of the plan.

“Just give it to them and leave as soon as they’re done.” The guard stated with his loud voice before opening the door for Elia.

“Understood.” She said with her head down.

As soon as the door closed, she walked to where the woman sat and Diana used this chance to hack the security system. Elia received a message and she immediately opened the huge glass window. Two soldiers immediately got inside from the rooftop. She was amazed with their efficiency but she wasn’t interested to know how they did it. Right now, all they needed to focus on was their escape plan.

“Please trust them. They’re with your daughter.” Elia told the patients and they nodded their head. It was really a wonder to her that this couple was able to hold onto their sanity after all these years. She watched the soldier tie a harness around the man’s waist and they instructed him to jump down and that there were people waiting for them.

“Hurry. We don’t have much time.” the other soldier muttered while starting to tie the other harness around Cayenne’s auntie. “If you are afraid, just close your eyes. Trust me, someone will catch you.”

“Shall I leave the room now?” Elia asked them with her heart hammering in her chest. Her hand was starting to sweat from anxiety but she was firm in her belief that she was doing the right thing.

“Go now. Act natural. We will stay for a while inside the room and if they notice something wrong, we will attack them. If they won’t find anything, we will leave this place in silence. It’s better than attracting other people.”

“O-okay. I understand.” Elia left the food on the table and took the empty tray with her. When the couple finally escaped and the window was closed, Elia signaled the men that she was going out, they looked for the camera’s blind spots and hid there for the time being.

Elia pressed the button and the door immediately opened for her. She stepped outside with disappointed look on her face. “I left the food on the table. I’ll just get the empty dishes when I administer their dose of medicine.”

“Okay.” The guard made way for her and Elia left as if nothing happened. She walked slowly but when she was out of sight, she jogged downstairs which can be heard by the guard. The guard furrowed his brows and that’s when he remembered that Elia was wearing rubber shoes instead of her uniform shoes. He opened the door immediately and looked around the room but he couldn’t find the couple.

“Code Red! Code Red! The nurse – ”

“Joe! What is it? Joe?” No one answered the inquiry anymore since the man named Joe has breathed his last already. “Damn it! Stop the nurse from leaving!”

Hearing the message through their walkie talkie, the soldier also gave his order. “Save the nurse no matter what it takes. Kill anyone who will come your way.”

Xian was walking back and forth outside the building while waiting for Elia to come out when the guard stationed at the entrance left. Few seconds later, a group of black-clothed men came rushing in and he heard gun shots. His eyes widened from shock and he instantly hide behind the nearest pillar.

“Run!” He heard someone shouted and he saw Elia running out of the building with some bloodstains on her pristine white clothes.

The sound of gunshots continued while she keeps on running away from the building. She was getting closer to him but instead of running straight, she turned left which would lead her to backyard of the storage room.

“Elia!” Xian called out which made her stop on her tracks. Her eyes were wide upon seeing him but when she heard the gunshot again, she ran away without looking back. “Hey! Wait for me!”

“Go away! Leave!” She responded without stopping. She was running for her life. She was determined to escape and Diana promise her that a motorboat is waiting for her on the northern dock. “Stop following me!”

“What did you do? Why are they chasing you? Why do you have blood? Hey!”

Annoyed with his questions, Elia changed direction and ran towards him instead. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to run with her. “Ask me questions later but now, please don’t hold me back. Stop questioning me and just run. They might kill you as well if they catch you.”

“How is this related to me? Are you involved in some – ”

BANG!

His words got stuck in his throat and he saw blood slowly spreading on her clothes. Elia looked down on her chest as well and saw the blood blossoming like red roses. The rusty smell of blood made her nose twitch and tears fell on her face.

“I hate you.” She mumbled with her knees giving up on her. She fell on the uneven ground and her fresh blood was dripping as she clutched her chest in an attempt to stop the bleeding. “Leave me alone!” She shouted and blood came out of her mouth as well.

“Don’t leave me. Lia. Don’t leave me.”

Elia stiffened when she heard the nickname that he used to call her but instead of feeling happy, she felt really regretful. She never wanted to have anything to do with him again.

“Get away from her!” Artemis pushed Xian away and asked one of the men to carry Elia instead. “Don’t speak. Don’t say anything. We’re taking you home. Everyone’s dead. No need to worry. No one can hurt you now.” Artemis stated hoping to give the woman some assurance. “You have to fight. Cayenne is waiting for you.”

Elia was looking up into the sky. She could see beautiful fireworks which mark the start of the year and she could hear Xian arguing with Nurse Chin but their voices were fading. She was having a hard time breathing as well. ‘Sorry, mom. Sorry, dad.’ She wanted to apologize to them a long time ago but she didn’t expect this to happen to her. With tears falling on the side of her face, she finally closed her eyes and allowed darkness to take over.