New Life : A Second Chance

Sarah looked at his intensely wide eyes, full of innocence and she nodded, "Okay."

After she finished dinner, Ed then got up and told her to follow him out.

"What?" she gasped, worried and scared.

He smiled gently, and gestured with his hand, "It's okay. All of the guards are asleep."

"They are? How is that possible?" Sarah asked.

"I've been giving them food that I cooked for the past few weeks," Ed said, "The same thing as what I gave you. Which was why it was easier for me to slip the food for you."

"What do you mean?" 

"It explained the smell of food," Ed patiently explained.

"Oh," Sarah replied, nodding in understanding. Ed really had thought of everything in fine detail. She became touched again thinking of how much he had taken care of her, at the risk to himself.

The nagging guilt started again, and she suppressed it yet again. She made a promise to herself, and a silent one to him, that she would repay him for this kindness. However, it would only be as a good friend and not her heart.

She hoped he would not be thinking of her that way.

She owed him too much to disappoint him so.

Although she started off with wanting to use him, she could not help but feel … something for him. It wasn't love, she didn't think so. But certainly, which girl wouldn't feel something for the person who treated them well?

Sarah sighed.

If she had met him first, would she have fallen so hard for Kyle?

Thinking about it, she shook her head.

It wasn't a matter of who she met first. Her heart knew what her heart wanted. 

It was a pity, though.

"But why would they be asleep now?" Sarah continued to ask, "Why are you so sure that they are?"

"Because I put sleeping powder in them," he explained, "I crushed some sleeping pills and sprinkled it over their meat."

Sarah nodded, understanding and yet, not enquiring how he managed to get hold of sleeping pills since those were prescribed drugs - and he never went out of the vicinity. Not that she really would have asked if she did think about it. 

She just accepted whatever he said, on trust, as he had done so much for her.

Once she stepped outside, Sarah looked about.

As she suspected, she was in a basement of some sort. The door led to some stairs, that led upwards. There was hardly any light on the lower ground but as they walked up, it became brighter.

On the first 'floor', so to speak, there was a table with two men slumped over it. Their faces were conveniently facing away and Sarah was not curious at all to see what they looked like.

She was too nervous.

She didn't even dare make a sound.

Ed was silent as well, as he brought her further up.

Finally, what seemed like ages to Sarah, they reached the top floor. Just like the two men below, there were two people in here as well, also unconscious.

They slipped by the men and went outside.

Sarah was so happy to finally be out of there that she almost gave a shout. She quickly covered her mouth, but she didn't stop herself from turning around and taking a deep breath.

Fresh air.

Trees.

She couldn't help it but went and hugged Ed tightly.

"Thank you," she said, her voice quivering.

Ed seemed shocked and merely stood there, frozen before he awkwardly patted her back.

"We can't stay here for long," he said, "The guards will be asleep for several hours, so we have to get away from here as fast as possible."

"Okay," Sarah agreed readily, "but how are we going to do that?"

"We have to go to my room first," Ed said, "I have some backpacks packed for our hike. I couldn't bring it because it would be too suspicious."

"Is it safe at your place right now? Should I hide?" Sarah asked worriedly as she followed him.

"Do not worry," Ed said, "We basically keep to ourselves. There's hardly anyone around as well. Those on night shifts would be away, while those on day shifts, would be asleep."

"But you still need to be as quiet as possible," Ed warned, "Do not let yourself be seen."

"Why don't I just hide and wait outside?" suggested Sarah.

Ed looked at her, then asked, "Don't you want to bathe and freshen up? I have a change of clothes as well. We have a long journey ahead of us, so being at your optimum would be best."

Sarah looked at herself and the thought of a bath really did sound very good. 

"You're right, but are you sure it's safe?" Sarah asked again.

"Yes," Ed replied, "So long as you're careful, it's more than okay. You can use the bathroom in the Boss's room."

Sarah gasped.

"The Boss's room? No way!!"

"They're not in," Ed assured her, "And that is the only room that has its own bathroom. Using the communal one is too risky."

Sarah was scared but the thought of a nice, hot shower and a change of clothes was just too tempting to reject.

"Are you sure your Boss isn't in?" Sarah asked.

Ed nodded his head, "Yes. Actually, other than the time I got hired, I never saw him again. He's not come here at all."

Sarah gave out a breath of relief and said, "Okay. I'll be as quick as possible."

They entered the building quietly. Sarah was surprised to find it quite luxuries. A 2-storey house, complete with a living room, dining room, and kitchen while the second floor were the bedrooms.

After getting a towel and change of clothes, Ed led her to his Boss's room. Just as she entered, they heard a car. Upon looking out the window, Ed paled. 

"It's the boss. Quick! Hide in here!!" 

Ed pushed Sarah into the closet.