Move up through the mall

Deciding that following the janitor was too risky, she knew heading up through the commons would be her best bet. People can get the sense of being watched, she reasoned, and even if he didn’t have another reason to turn around that might still happen, right when she had nowhere to hide.

At the end of the counter a hinged half-door separated the work area from the public, no real prevention from keeping people out who shouldn’t be there but serving as an unspoken notice that only employees should be beyond it. Jen moved to the door and easily stepped over it, ignoring the spring-loaded latch that would let it swing open. She moved up to a table and ducked down again, allowing the janitor to move further away. After waiting for a few moments Jen moved a few yards to her right and took cover behind another table.

As she silently wished the janitor would move a little faster she looked for the next place to move towards. There were a few other tables, and beyond those was the first trash receptacle, a large wooden box with a hinged door at the front and a flat spot on top for people to stack plastic trays that once carried food. That would block her completely from view from the janitor, but she’d be visible from any other direction. If she was still there when the restaurant’s employees came out to lock the gate…

She glanced back at the kitchen and saw no one. She was in a position where she couldn’t see back to the room they were working in, but she still heard running water so at least one of them was still occupied.

She moved up to the trash can, taking her chances that she would have a few moments before the employees came to lock the fencing across the front of the restaurant. The janitor kept strolling down the hallway, trash bin being pushed along ahead of him. He hadn’t glanced back once, and Jen felt she could probably get to a better hiding spot before he reached the service corridor. Further down the commons, the next possible hiding place was a bench, comprised of curved metal slats painted blue. That would have the same downside of her current spot behind the trash can. From the other side of the commons, anyone looking wouldn’t be likely to recognize the form of a nude woman through the slats, but that left her wide open from three other directions.

About fifteen yards beyond the bench was the first decorative island, a large fake palm tree surrounded by plastic bushes. Jen knew she could hide among the mock plants and be unseen from every angle, but the distance to reach it didn’t sit well with her. It was an infinitely better option than hiding behind the bench, especially since the restaurant’s employees were likely to be coming her way soon. But it meant complete exposure while she made her way there.

Jen steeled herself and stepped out from behind the trash receptacle, immediately setting into a quick pace. She took long steps, trying to set her feet down quietly but more concerned with getting to the island quickly than with being completely silent. Her eyes darted around wildly as she moved. The janitor still had his back turned to her, and she didn’t see anyone else moving about. No security guards coming towards her, no employees working late in any of the shops.

She passed the bench and rushed the last several steps to the island. She stepped on the tile riser before slipping in between two of the fake bushes, the gravel uncomfortable beneath her bare feet. Once she was in a well concealed spot between several bushes she dropped down and out of sight.

She was slightly past the corridor that took her to the service halls now. She couldn’t see the janitor but still heard the low rumble of the trash can they pushed along. She looked back towards the restaurant and moments later the two employees stepped into view.

Made it here just in time, Jen thought.

She watched as the pair unhooked the fence from the walls and dragged their respective halves towards each other. She could see the woman’s lips moving but couldn’t hear any of what was being said. Standing on the side inside the restaurant, they pressed the halves of the fencing together and the woman worked the key. After giving the fence a quick shake to verify it was locked, both employees turned and went towards the back of the restroom.

They’re likely heading home now, Jen considered. Time to plan my next steps.

She took time to check each store that she could see inside from this angle, confirming they were empty. All of them had their lights turned off, and she couldn’t always see too far into the darkness but she felt sure no one was inside, working without any light. She didn’t see any security guards moving about and no other janitors, though she knew some would still be working.

Looking back in the direction she wanted to head, she saw another island a distance away. Before that she saw a trash can followed by a bench and then another trash can. She thought there was a kiosk beyond the island, but wasn’t certain from here.

Moving around the fake palm tree and bushes, Jen stepped down and got moving again. Still alert for any indication of anyone moving about, she quickly hurried past the bench and trash cans.

She reached the second island without any issue and returned to hiding. She heard a noise behind her, the sound of rolling wheels and she looked that direction. Through the bushes she could see another janitor, this one female, heading vaguely in her direction while moving a cart which held various cleaners, rags, and with a mop bucket attached to the side. The woman appeared bored, and Jen felt confident she’d gotten into hiding without being seen.

Looking back towards the end of the mall, Jen saw that she was over halfway to the end. Shortly ahead and to her left a hallway beckoned, a sign advertising the restrooms were that direction.

That hallway might lead back to the service corridor, she thought.

Glancing back at the approaching janitor, she felt that she could get to the hallway while keeping the island between them. As long as her head didn’t pop up over the bushes, she shouldn’t attract any attention.

Shifting two of the fake plants apart Jen squeezed through and stepped down from the island. Staying low she hurried towards the corridor, occasionally glancing back to ensure she was out of the janitor’s sight. Reaching the corridor, she rushed about ten feet in before she realized it was a dead end. Doors to two restrooms stood across from each other, and beyond that a wall blocked any further progress.

Oh shit, Jen thought.

She heard the rumbling of the janitor’s cart getting louder. Concerned that she was coming this way, Jen sprinted to the women’s room. She heaved the door open and stepped inside, pivoting and slowly guiding the door closed so it wouldn’t make any noise.

Jen pressed her ear against the door, listening carefully. She could make out the cart’s wheels, thrumming along the tile floor. She was hoping they would start getting quieter soon, but she only heard the noise getting steadily louder.

Starting to feel certain the janitor was coming to clean out the restrooms, Jen started looking around for a hiding place. If she was lucky the woman might clean the men’s room first and give Jen a chance to escape, but if she was going to clean the women’s room first, she’d have to work out another plan. For now, she needed to be out of sight in case this door was moments away from swinging open.

The obvious choice was one of the stalls. They stood at the end of the restroom, two on each side with their doors facing each other. If she got lucky and picked one of the stalls that wouldn’t be cleaned first then she might just be able to slip into one after it was mopped if the janitor turned her back…

Jen knew that was incredibly risky. There was a one-in-four chance the janitor would start cleaning the stall Jen picked first, and even if she didn’t she might not turn away enough to give Jen a chance to move.

Looking around in a panic, Jen’s only other thought was underneath the sink. Three sinks were lined up along a long granite countertop to her right. Jen would have to sit down and hunch over to fit underneath, but she knew she could manage. Unfortunately she’d only be putting herself out of the way- a casual glance in her direction and Jen would be clearly visible. There was no guarantee that the janitor would start by cleaning the stalls, but if she did then staying this little bit closer to the exit could work in her favor.

The rumbling of the cart continued to grow louder. Jen knew the janitor was in the hallway and heading this way.