The prison yard continued its slow, repetitive rhythm, as if time itself dragged its feet inside those walls. Michael remained in the collective bathroom after Miller and Albert had dragged the unconscious inmate outside. The distant sound of footsteps and heavy metal doors echoed through the corridors, signaling that the prisoner lockdown was approaching.
Minutes passed in silence.
Michael leaned against the cold bathroom wall, observing the small pipe above the sink. His eyes carefully analyzed every detail, calculating angles and distance.
– The lockdown will start soon – Miller replied, reappearing quickly at the bathroom entrance, his voice low and firm. – We don't have much time.
– Understood – Michael replied, with a calm and controlled voice.
Albert swallowed hard, looking at Michael as if trying to memorize every feature of him.
– You're really doing this now? – Albert asked, his voice slightly tense.
– Yes – Michael replied without hesitation.
Silence returned for a few seconds, until Michael pushed himself off the wall and walked toward the sink. He placed his hands on the edge and, with a precise motion, climbed on top of it. The ceramic slightly creaked under his weight.
– Careful – Albert murmured, worried.
– I'm fine – Michael replied, maintaining his balance.
Stretching his arm, he reached the small hidden pipe above the structure. With quick, precise movements, he detached a secured package. Inside, there was a neatly folded guard uniform.
– You really hid it here… – Albert replied, impressed.
– It was the safest place – Miller replied, crossing his arms.
Michael climbed down from the sink calmly, holding the uniform. Without wasting time, he began putting the guard outfit on over his inmate clothes.
The dark fabric completely covered what he was wearing underneath.
– Is this going to work? – Albert asked quietly.
– It will – Michael replied, adjusting the collar of the uniform.
He turned on the sink, leaned forward, and slowly washed his face. Water ran down as he kept a neutral expression, as if preparing for nothing more than another ordinary shift.
– You seem too calm… – Albert commented.
– Emotion doesn't change the outcome – Michael replied, turning off the tap.
A few minutes later, the faint metallic sound of alarms began to echo in the distance. The lockdown had started.
– Time to go – Miller replied, looking at Michael.
Michael nodded.
– Understood – Michael replied.
He adjusted the guard cap over his head, partially covering his face. Then he walked toward the bathroom door.
– Good luck… – Albert replied quietly.
Michael paused for a moment.
– Thank you – Michael replied, without looking back.
And then he left.
The corridor was emptier than before. Guards walked quickly, organizing prisoners into their cells. Michael kept a firm pace, imitating the posture of the other guards.
He turned left as planned and continued straight down the main corridor. Cold lights illuminated the path until, a few meters later, he reached the indicated door.
– Service Sector – a sign above the entrance read.
Michael turned right and entered.
The inner corridor was narrower, quieter, and poorly monitored. He walked forward until he saw, at the end, a reinforced exit door.
A guard stood beside the card reader.
– Who are you? – the guard asked, his voice suspicious.
– I'm heading to the exit – Michael replied naturally.
The guard narrowed his eyes.
– Access card – the guard replied, extending his hand.
Michael took the card from his pocket and handed it over.
– Here – Michael replied.
The guard took the card and brought it close to the reader.
But before he could check the screen, Michael moved.
The strike was fast, clean, and precise.
– Wha—? – the guard tried to react, before collapsing unconscious to the floor.
The sound of his body hitting the ground echoed through the corridor.
Michael exhaled slowly.
– Sorry – Michael replied quietly.
He picked up the card again and swiped it through the reader.
CLACK.
The door unlocked with a metallic click.
Michael stepped out.
The outside air was colder. The light felt almost blinding after so long inside. He walked calmly, without rushing, without looking back.
Distant guards did not notice anything unusual.
He continued through nearby streets, still wearing the uniform until he was far enough from the prison. Blocks passed slowly under his controlled steps, until finally a simple building appeared ahead.
His apartment.
Michael stopped in front of the door.
– I'm here – Michael replied quietly.
He reached up to a lamp above the entrance. Carefully, he unscrewed it and retrieved a small hidden spare key.
– Still works… – Michael replied, almost like a thought.
He unlocked the door and entered.
The apartment was exactly as he had left it: clean, silent, untouched.
– Everything's the same… – Michael replied, observing the room.
Without wasting time, he removed the guard uniform and dropped it on the floor.
Then he walked into the bathroom.
The shower was turned on.
Hot water fell over him as the sound filled the apartment's silence. Michael closed his eyes, washing his hair calmly, applying shampoo and then conditioner, as if he could finally breathe without calculating every second.
– Now… this is better… – Michael replied quietly, while water ran down his face.