Chapter 3: The Escape

Carlos moved through his building. He knew every turn by heart having built this place up from nothing. He knew where each guard was placed, he designed the security after-all.

Carlos made his way to the main venue, where he knew the first shift of Suckers were already put into their stations and based on the slurping noises some early birds were already living their best life.

He was met with multiple "G'mornin' Boss" and "How'd the meeting go?" from guards and employees alike. He gave each nod or short grunt of acknowledgement. Carlos hoped he didn't seem suspicious, sometimes he was cranky in the morning, this was normal right?

Carlos's heart was in his throat as he rounded the corner to the hallway leading towards the exit. He was more relieved to find the indoor-guard at the door was not at his post. *Perhaps it was too early?* Carlos thought, more hopeful than logical. Carlos picked up speed, nearly jogging the final 10 feet, nearly ramming the fire-door to open it.

The fire-door did not yield. Carlos knew this door was essentially a vault door, but, it should be operable, even at this hour. He began to get chills. Had someone seen him? He tried the door a couple more times, but it was clearly locked. He started fishing for his keys. It'd been so long since he had to use them.

"Hey bud. You going somewhere? I thought you had a meeting..." Jeremy stood at the other end of the hall, hands behind his back.

"Yeah, just needed something out of my car real quick, someone's secured the door? That's strange." Carlos replied. Hopefully the distance between them kept Jeremy from seeing his eyes.

"I think you know why the door is locked... Did you think we wouldn't notice?" Jeremy said, sadness in his voice. "You trained us too well... Man, I'm sorry it happened to you."

Jeremy stood just a couple of feet from Carlos now, meeting his gaze. Tears started to well up in Carlos's eyes. It was unthinkable to cry in front of your employees, but as far as he was concerned, his life was over.

"You know the options... Easy way or the hard way." Jeremy said as he revealed what was behind his back, a stun baton. Carlos knew that's what it would be, it was protocol. Lock the door, remove potential hostages, corner in the entrance hallway, use non-lethal non-maiming tactics to subdue the infected. Had Carlos been thinking straight he would have seen the signs.

Carlos knew he'd lost, but to go out without a fight would be the same thing as accepting his fate. So he dropped the suitcase and charged Jeremy.

Jeremy, to his credit, didn't flinch at seeing a rather large and fairly muscular Hispanic man lunge forward. Although, if Carlos would have thought about it for even a second, he'd have realized the disadvantage he was at. Jeremy simply took a step back, causing Carlos to lose his balance. Then Jeremy casually tapped the baton against Carlos's back, sending 100 million volts into his buddy and business partner.