About thirty minutes later Melissa moved toward her daughter as if she had a purpose. When she tried to enter her daughter’s room a guard tried to intervene.

“You can’t go in there, Ms. Mason. Your father has restricted access to allow medical personnel only,” a guard said.

Melissa opened the door anyway. Her daughter was lying on a hospital bed, several IVs attached. She took her daughter’s hand.

“I told you you’re not auth—” the guard tried to say as Melissa punched the guard as hard as she could. She heard a satisfying crunch as his nose broke.

Those self-defense lessons came in handy, Father!

“You bitch!”

She turned to face the guard. He was about her height, and his muscles built him into something powerful. He grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the room. Melissa kicked the guard in the back. He readied his weapon. She kicked him in the groin. The guard doubled over in pain. She kicked him again and again until he didn’t move anymore. She took the few seconds of advantage to find something to restrain the man. With nothing in the immediate area, she rifled through his pockets . . . Handcuffs! She cuffed the guard to the IV stand and took his weapons. Melissa removed the IVs from the stand, and then rolled the bed toward a nearby wheelchair. It took some effort, but after a few moments, she was pushing April down the hallway, toward the exit.

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April was waking. “What’s happening?” she asked groggily.

“Mum is taking you to a safe place,” Melissa said.

“I don’t want to go with you. Where’s Grandfather?”

Melissa made her way to the elevator, where she had no choice but to wait.

“Stop!” a guard shouted.

Melissa turned and pulled a gun out of her pocket. The guard raised his hands. The elevator door opened. Melissa pushed April into the elevator.

So many buttons, she thought, assessing the panel.

She reached for the top button and . . . stiffened as a jolt of electricity coursed through her. Melissa fell to her knees. Ash entered her line of sight holding an electronic stun gun.

“You should always check corners, dear,” Ash said.

Melissa screamed as electricity coursed through her.

“Why?” Melissa pleaded.

Ash gave Melissa a cold look as she put her phone to her ear. “I’ve got her,” Ash said. “She was trying to leave with April.”

The guard entered the elevator, handcuffed Melissa, and took her away.