Chapter 7
The chill of the autumn dawn bit through Mei’s beige dress as they stepped out of the service exit and into the shadowed labyrinth of the estate's vast east gardens. Towering boxwood hedges formed dark, twisting corridors that blocked out the amber glow of the security floodlights mounted along the perimeter wall. Leo woke up, letting out a soft, distressed whimper against Mei’s chest. She immediately began to murmur soothingly, patting his tiny back through the canvas carrier while walking as fast as the uneven gravel path allowed.
David held his charcoal suitcase in one hand while using his phone’s flashlight—set to a dim, covered beam—to navigate the treacherous roots of the ancient weeping willows that arched overhead. They could hear the distant hum of patrol buggies moving along the western perimeter road, their searchlights sweeping the sky in rhythmic intervals.
"We're almost at the service gate," David whispered, his breath pluming in the cold morning air as he checked his watch. "If Mrs. Wu’s information is correct, the pedestrian latch should be unlocked from the outside."
As they rounded the final corner of the greenhouse, the rusted iron gate loomed out of the darkness, half-swallowed by thick ivy vines. David rushed forward, dropping his suitcase to rattle the heavy iron handle. The padlock was gone, but the latch was jammed tight with decades of rust and oxidation. He threw his weight against the iron bars, grunting as the metal groaned in protest. Nothing happened. The gate was rusted shut from years of disuse.
Mei rushed up beside him, shifting Leo securely with one hand while reaching out to grab the cold iron bar with the other. "Let me help. Together."
They planted their feet firmly on the damp earth and pulled with all their combined strength. With a sharp, metallic shriek that echoed alarmingly through the silent garden, the rusted latch finally gave way, swinging open wide enough to reveal the grey asphalt of the public lane beyond. Freedom was literally an arm's length away.
May you like
Suddenly, a blinding beam of white light cut through the darkness, illuminating the entire greenhouse clearing. The deep rumble of a security vehicle engine roared to life just twenty yards behind them.
"Stop right there!" a harsh voice echoed through the estate loudspeaker. "Mr. David Chen, step away from the perimeter gate immediately."
