With my confidence, I was able to exit the medical unit I was in. No one stopped to ask where I was going, or why I was wearing a mask without entering a patient's room. I asked the CNA sitting at the nursing hub if she had an extra hair tie I could borrow and after giving me one, she told me to have a nice day as I left. I tied my long, red, hair into a bun and headed for the exit.

Exiting the double doors of the unit, I expected to find more medical units, but heading down the hall and eventually down a set of stairs, I quickly realized that I was not in a hospital, at least not one with a layout I recognize. The floor below the one I woke up on was full of people running around in suits, and based on the limited phrases I was picking up, they certainly were not doctors. I should just pretend that my shift is over and leave. But where exactly is the exit? The staircase I was on did not continue past this floor. If I were an exit, where would I be? I started wandering through this hall, dodging the people running around.

“Excuse me, miss, are you lost?” I feel a tap on my shoulder and I fight the instinct to freeze. I casually turn around to see a man of about 5’11” with sandy brown hair in a plain black suit, with a very obvious earpiece, and a gun. Must be some form of security, but where am I that needs to have such precautions?

“Yes, actually,” At least my voice came out, and even if it wasn’t quite how it was before, I still managed to get some charm into what I said. I smile, despite having the mask covering it: I know that it is a smile that can be seen in my eyes. “Today is my first day, and I seem to have gotten lost during my break? I just wanted to step outside for a moment.” It would be too suspicious if I told him that I was trying to find the exit, right? At least if I get a chance to step outside I can assess the building we’re in.

“Oh, then you’re going the wrong direction, darlin’.” The guard smiled down at me. He sounded like he was from the south, maybe Texas? “You needed to go one story up, not one story down.”

“Silly me,” I say, placing a hand to my head to emphasize my lack of memory. “I just knew that I’d get at least one thing backwards.”

“I could escort you there, if you would like.” He seemed nice enough, and maybe I could get some information out of him if I played my cards right.

“I would love that. My name is Jacy, by the way,” I say, sticking my hand out for a shake. Did I just add a ‘y’ to the name on the badge I currently have? Absolutely. He grabs my hand and gives a firm shake. “What’s your name?”

“Hi Jacey, I am Thomas." He drops my hand. "Shall I lead the way?” He turned his body and stuck his hand out in the direction of the staircase I had just come down.

“Yes,” I also turn my body in the correct direction. “Please lead the way.”

------

Thomas led me back up the stairs, bypassing the floor with the medical unit. Once we reached the next landing, the stairs stopped and Thomas turned to the right. We were in yet another hallway, but I did not hear anyone else here with us. After another right, then left, turn, we made it to the door marked exit. Thomas looked at me expectantly. “Aren’t you going to open the door?”

“Excuse me?”

“Yeah, you know, swipe your ID for the door to open, all exits and entrances require that. Every time someone opens a door, the system records it. I would love to be a gentleman for ya, but if I open the door, it will record me leaving instead of you.” Thomas was starting to look suspicious.

“Ooooh, yes, yes of course, I know that,” I chuckle, trying to play it cool. The ID badges here have the employee picture on both sides. If I take out Jace’s ID he’ll know something is up for sure. I start to tap my pockets as if I am looking for the badge.

“You do have your badge on you, right?” Could Thomas see right through me?

“No.” I say in a voice barely above a whisper. My eyes were starting to water and I looked up, giving Thomas the best puppy-dog eyes I have. “I was supposed to leave for my break, but a patient pushed the call button requesting me to his room. He told me his stomach was hurting and that he needed something to throw up in. Right as I handed him a bedpan, he puked on my pants. He had the stomach flu, so I had to take my pants off really fast.” My recant was getting increasingly animated, the tears coming down heavier and heavier as my voice quivered. The natural rasp I had right now helped. “I rinsed off, threw on someone else’s spare scrubs and a mask in case I got what the patient has, and ran out so I could have at least a little bit of my break. I forgot that my ID was in my pants pocket. Then I couldn’t figure out how to get outside. All I need is a little air. Oh, Thomas,” I place my head in my hands and my shoulders heave with a sob, “I am so hopeless.”

“Hey, there Jacey, it’s okay,” Thomas started patting my shoulder. “It’s alright, shit happens. I can let you out using my key card then let you back into the medical unit when your break is over, okay?”

"You won't get in trouble?"

"Nah, it's okay, I'll let my bossy know that I was helping a nurse out. I know that he'll understand."

I tilt my head up with a sniffle, “Thomas, you are a saint.” A saint who believed this sinner’s lies. I am so glad I checked to see who was in the medical unit as I made my way to the locker room. There was a guy named Coltor listed for stomach flu. Strangely enough, my name wasn’t listed at all, and it showed that the room I was in was empty.

“It is my pleasure, darlin’. Just do not forget your badge when you leave. Not everyone is a saint like me.” Thomas winked and pulled out his badge, placing it over the lock so the door would open. We both stepped outside and onto a little patio. There were a couple of tables and chairs where people could sit and enjoy a snack or meal. Thomas made his way to one and sat down. I went to the railing and looked around, enjoying the sunlight and light breeze. We were in a tower of sorts, but it was also connected to another couple of buildings. Based on the levels of windows, I was on the sixth floor and there were four more floors above me. Looking down, I saw a swarm of guards at the entrance. If I have to swipe an ID badge to get out, they certainly will notice that I am not where I belong. 

Instead of looking down, I shift my attention up. I can see a door leading to the roof on the top floor. So, there had to be a way to get up there, even if this staircase only ends on this level, there has to be another one somewhere. On the curve of the tower, I could just make out a fire escape. Maybe I could use that to get out?

“So, I am assuming that this isn’t your dinner break then?” Thomas broke the silence.

“Huh?”

“Oh, it’s just getting late and you don’t have any food with you. Is this the first break of your shift? Aren’t you hungry?” Thomas smiled at me.

“Now that you mention it, I kind of am.” My stomach growled, betraying that I was more than just kind of hungry. “It has been a long day and I have lost track of time. All I remember is my boss yelling at me to take my break before it was too late, and now here I am.”

“Well, of course you’d be hungry, it is twenty-one hundred hours right now.” Twenty-one hundred hours? Like nine pm? How is it still light out? Even in the Arizona summer the sun is down by now.

“Yes,” I said meekly, “But I did not bring any food… and I don’t know how to get to the cafeteria.” I really hope there is a cafeteria here.

“Oh, Jacy, you really are lost, aren’t you?” I simply nod. “The cafeteria is on this floor, we passed it coming out here.” Thomas stood up. “Come on, I will take you there and buy you dinner.”

“Thomas, you do-”

“Hush, it would be an honor to treat a sweet little nurse like yourself to dinner.” He winked at me again, getting up from his seat and walking to the door we had taken to get to the patio. “Come along then darlin’.”