I freeze in place

A tube of lipstick rolled into view. I heard high heels clicking closer. I saw a black high heeled show step into view from around the corner of the desk. My heart was beating so loud, I was afraid they would hear it. I then heard the scratch of pantyhose as the woman bent her legs and a hand appeared with a ring on the third finger. The female hand fumbled and knocked the lipstick closer to me and I saw the hand coming closer to my crouched form. A cascade of blond hair fell into view and if it were not for that, the woman's eye's would surely have seen me.

Finally, she manged to clutch the lipstick and she drew away from view. After the women stood chatting longer, I heard more of the ladies leave and when all the voices died out. I eased around the desk for a peek. No sound or sight of anyone allowed me to take my first deep breath in a while. I inched my way out from behind the desk and noticed all the coats were gone except one. I peeked around the corner and only found a room of empty chairs. I snapped off the light in the coat room and felt the sweat on my forehead start to cool. I know I could not go back into the stairs since the door was locked so I skirted around the chairs and swatted the light switch off, bathing me in darkness. I cracked the door open to see a hallway of nurses and family members strolling in both directions. I moved a few feet along the door and pondered my predicament. Then I though of the coat left behind and wondered if that would be enough to get me out of the hostipal. I could then get my hidden car key and drive home.

Before I had a chance to act on this, I heard the door handle rattle and the door opened followed quickly by the light snapping on. By instinct, I grabbed the door handle as the door started to close and expose me. I held the door open while I heard a pair of shoes tap over the linoleum toward the coat room and once there start back toward me. I prayed they did not get curious and looked behind the door. If they did, I know a scream would be next and I would have to dart competely naked into the halllway of people. The steps I heard stopped at the door, then I heard the rustle of someone putting on their coat and then the light snapped off again. I couldn't hear that person anymore with all the chatter and people moving about in the hallway. I could see through the opening by the door hinge, that a few ladies were standing nearby and talking to each other. I did not want anyone to see the door shut by itself, so I had to hold it until I was sure no one would notice it close.

After about fifiteen minutes, I noticed the hallway had cleared out and now only an occassional nurse strolled past. I eased the door shut and checked that the one coat was now gone that I had plans for and knew I had to make a dash out of this room when the hallway was clear. I cracked the door open an inch and could not hear or see anyone. I poked my head out and saw further down the hallway, an area of seats making a square around a thick blanket of plants and potted trees. If I could make it to the plants and hide there, then I could continue to the next safe spot until I found another set of stairs. I bet there was a way I could get out through the basement unseen by anyone.

I ran toward the plants and trees and also heard female voices approaching, I picked up speed and literally dove into the forest of leaves. Then I heard a women speak.

"Ok ladies, take a seat because we are going to be here awhile."