Chapter 4: The Escape
The rain poured heavily over the city as midnight approached. Clara packed a single worn backpack with essential clothing, Toby’s medical records, his necessary medications, and every dollar she had saved over the last five years—a modest sum of $3,200.
She carefully lifted Toby from his bed, wrapping him in a thick wool blanket. He woke up, blinking sleepily in the dim room light.
""Clara? Where are we going?"" he whispered, confused.
""We're going on an adventure, sweetie,"" Clara whispered back, her voice steady despite her trembling hands. ""A quiet one. But you have to be very, very quiet. Can you do that for me?""
Toby nodded solemnly, wrapping his arm tightly around her neck. He didn't ask about his parents. Deep down, even at six years old, he understood who truly belonged to him.
Clara bypassed the main elevator, using the service stairwell to carry Toby down twelve flights of stairs. Her legs burned and her lungs gasped for air, but adrenaline pushed her forward. She slipped through the basement parking garage exit, avoiding the night guard's security booth, and merged into the dark, rain-slicked city streets.
She hailed a passing yellow cab, sliding into the backseat with Toby in her lap.
""Where to, lady?"" the driver asked, looking at them through the rearview mirror.
May you like
Clara looked out the window at the gleaming skyscraper they had just left behind. She knew Richard and Victoria would use all their resources once they realized Toby was gone—not out of love, but out of legal panic.
""The long-distance bus station,"" Clara said, clutching Toby close. ""As fast as you can.""
