Chapter 3 PART 1 OF 3: Escaping

I cautiously looked around the hallway. The hall is packed with busy nurses scattered around assisting patients of all ages. The white tiled floor was full of dirt and muddy footprints. Is this a hospital or a wet market? This place is too crowded and noisy! I shook my head... no, this is not the time to think about unnecessary stuff. This whole ordeal is actually working to my advantage. With all the chaos this means I can slip away easier from this place. I need to do this. I've got to get out of here. I was about to take off when someone grabbed the hem of my dress.

"Big sister, what are you doing?"

I focused my attention on the boy who was holding the hem of my dress. I sighed in relief, it was like an anchor was lifted off my chest. That almost gave me a mini heart attack.

"I-I'm-" I stared at him, stuttering.

I thought a nurse caught me but what I saw was just a small boy with black spiky hair, a small pointed nose, and white pale skin about 5 to 6 in age. Who is its guardian? Why is he by himself? Children should not be permitted to roam the hospital grounds. This is not a mall. Especially since this hospital is a total wreck, this kid could easily get lost!

Oh, wait. I have no time for this!

"I'm sorry but big sister needs to go," I said and walked away as fast as I can.

I am so not good with kids. I couldn't stop thinking about the small footsteps I heard behind me. I arched an eyebrow as I saw

the little boy following me. Now what? Is he trying to act like a dog?

"Go back. I'm leaving," I said irritably. I'm in a desperate situation.

What if they notice I am not in my room? This kid is a nuisance! I was never fond of kids in the first place. Their so-called innocence and happiness annoy me the most. They are just little creatures oblivious to how the world works and just cry to get what they want.

"Big sis, are you looking for your real body?" He asked me with all seriousness in his eyes.

What? What is this kid talking about? Real body? A thousand possibilities flooded my mind, does this kid know something? Is it possible that this is not my body? My real body? Is this some kind of soul-switching like in a fantasy movie or maybe a body swap on some human experiments like I've seen in sci-fi or perhaps just an amazing work of plastic surgery?

"What are you-" I was about to ask when someone suddenly spoke from behind me.

"Johnny, there you are!" We were interrupted by a middle-aged woman dressed in a blue formal long sleeve with printed flowers paired with her fitted white pants. "I've been looking all over for you."

"Nanny, help us; we're looking for her original body," the boy said, pointing at me and pulling the hem of his nanny's shirt.

"Oh, Miss, I'm sorry for Johnny; this boy enjoys making up stories; you know how kids love fantasies," the woman said apologetically and laughed awkwardly before walking away leaving me hanging and frozen to where I'm standing.

I mentally gave myself a slap. I can't believe I just believed a child's story. If Granny heard of this, I'd be doomed. Am I really this desperate that I fell for a child's fantasy? I let out an exasperated sigh but waking up with this new unfamiliar face? They might've done something, plastic surgery or a weird human experiment is the most plausible theory.

I don't know what truly happened or what they did but I will find out-whatever it is.

No one ever messes up with a Perez. I was brought back to my senses when a nurse passed by in front of me. Oh, no! I almost forgot. I rushed through the doorway hoping they didn't notice me. I breathed a sigh of relief when I was in front of the exit. No one noticed me. Good! I was about to step my left foot out when someone tapped my shoulder.

"Do you happen to be the one that those nurses are looking for?" When someone suddenly spoke from the side of the entrance where I was standing, my eyes widened. "You really look like trouble."

I shifted my gaze to him and saw a young man with his hands in his pockets. He's wearing denim pants and a white V-neck shirt showing off the manly build of his body, his black cap hid his face but judging by the way he stands and speaks I can tell some women would drool over him. I'm good at judging people, I was trained for it so I know he's different. He's different but why does he feel so familiar in a way? What is this man doing in this freak hospital? Doctors are insane, the patients are crazy, so why is someone like him here? He doesn't look like some psycho like them. He slowly raised his head and when I had a clear view of his face my head feels as if all the blood rush into it. Wait, I know this-

"You?" I shouted before I threw a heavy punch in his face.

He sat on the floor in no time as a result of the impact of my hit. Tsk, tsk, tsk! Even a weak woman may knock him out. Confirmed: appearances can be deceiving. This man is anything but normal.

"Wait, what was that for?!" He yelled as he clutched his bleeding lip.

"You've earned it, you jerk!" I frowned and walked away from him.

That guy. Tsk, I really hate him. Wait, hate is an understatement, I despise him. Why is he in that freak hospital anyway? Wait- don't tell me he's behind all this?! That means-ugh! This is more serious than I thought! My life is in danger! He actually dared to do it! I really need to escape as fast as I can.

I looked around... this place looks deserted. Long empty highway with not many passing vehicles. I got more impatient as I clicked my tongue. I'm getting more convinced this is some scheme from that guy to ruin my life. This time he went overboard, seriously? A plastic surgery? He can change my face but he can't change Elena Perez. No matter what face I have, I am Elena Perez. I looked around and saw that there are a few taxis but most of them are occupied.

I tried to take a vacant cab, but they didn't stop; it was aggravating! What is the matter with them?! I was simply compelled to walk. I need to get out of that prison-like freak hospital even more now that that jackass is still there! I can't believe Elena Perez is in this precarious condition. I can't help but sigh again. That guy's plot is becoming more daring and nefarious. He made certain that I would have a difficult time, but Luke and dad will not allow this to happen. I'm sure they've done something by this point.

"How long should I walk?! And where the hell am I?!" I screamed in frustration.

I looked around... I don't even see any signboards; it's as if I'm in a remote countryside or an urban setting in a horror film. I'm practically encircled by tall trees and bushes, with no trace of a living human except for passing vehicles, which clearly have no intention of aiding me. I've been walking for hours and still have no idea where I am.

Loud long sharp noises of crickets and frogs are the only thing that breaks this suffocating silence. The road is bumpy and rough and the farther I walk, the more isolated the place is becoming. But on the bright side am already far from that place. They will regret doing this to Elena Perez! Doing some weird experiments in my body. I'm sure of it. They are trying to brainwash me with false information after taking advantage of my accident. They will really regret they messed with a Perez. I'll make sure of it.