Raising the stakes

This story was developed for the creative writing course.  The assignment was to create a character who faces some problem and then to "raise the stakes" with more mini conflicts he/she must solve and overcome.
With each story I write, as with all writers, there is a little grain of truth to it.  The rest is pure imagination of what could have happened...
Please feel free to comment.  A writer never improves without criticism.  And thank you again, for those who read and encourage.  :)

“Into the Abyss”

Only a few more minutes until lights out.  Mitch checked his watch for the 10^th time that evening.  Tonight was the night.  He would make his break for it.  He had carefully synchronized his watch with theirs, he had observed their nightly routines, and he was ready with his backpack securely fastened.  His disguise was even set.  Previously, Mitch had snuck into a supply closet and stolen the necessary items to allow him extra time as he made his escape.  It hadn’t been easy, but he had finally seen an opportunity a few days ago to acquire a lab coat.  He would blend in as he made his way into the night.

He lay under his sheets, feigning sleep as he had for well over a month.  She ducked her head into his room, ensuring all was well for the night, and closed it silently behind her, her sneakers squeaking along the heavily waxed floor as she left to continue her nightly rounds. 

How he hated her.  She always insisted he do this and that, never listening to his story or believing that he had a life on the outside.  He didn’t need to be here.  He had done perfectly well on his own, but clearly he had pissed off the wrong people one too many times, and now he was chained in this dungeon until God knew when.  That is, unless he took matters into his own hands and made his move tonight!

Alright, she’s gone.  Mitch slowly pushed his sheets and blanket back and gave a quick glance over at Edgar to ensure he was fast asleep.  Instead, wide, knowing eyes met his from across the semi-darkened room.

“You don’t really think you are going to get past them all, do you?”  Edgar straightened himself and swung his legs to the side of the bed.  “They will catch you and bring you right back here before you even round the corner.  How do you figure you will escape?  Do you really think your little disguise is going to do it?  You don’t look like one of them!  You look like a patient dressed as them!”  Edgar gave a little laugh as he sneered at Mitch.  He then pulled his oxygen mask to his face and inhaled deeply, attempting to calm his haggard breathing. 

Mitch sighed.  “I thought you were asleep, Edgar.  What do you mean, ‘escape’?  I am not going anywhere.”  Mitch realized how ridiculous this sounded as the words came from his lips.  He was dressed as a doc over his pajamas, and he wore his stinking backpack on his back!  Yep, conspicuous, but he knew it was worth a try.

“Okay, well if you insist on leaving, let’s make this more interesting for me.”  Edgar took another puff from the oxygen.  “I want some incentive to not let the cat out of the bag in regards to where you are.  They will discover immediately that you are gone.  The way I see it, this can go one of two ways.  I can either tell them everything I know or buy you a little time.  But the question is, what is my gift worth to you?”

Mitch knew that Edgar would try to manipulate the situation to his advantage!  How he hoped some nights this devil of a man would choke on his oxygen mask!  Selfish bastard.

“Look, Edgar.  If you don’t tell them how I escaped and come up with some story to buy me a little time, I will leave you the smokes I have hidden in the closet.”  Edgar sat up a little straighter, clearly interested in the deal.  Cancer sticks had gotten him here, and he probably would have given his right lung to suck on another one.

“You got it.  If I had known there were smokes in here, we would’ve been friends a long time ago!”  Edgar gave a little laugh, which started a small coughing fit.  Yep, the last thing he needs is another cigarette, but if it will keep him quiet for a while, it is worth it to me.

“Let me see them, and we have a deal.  I will put on my best performance to date to give you some extra time.  They will be so concerned about me, they won’t put much focus on where you have gone to.” 

Mitch walked to the closet and pulled out a long trench coat.  He felt along the stitching until he found what he was looking for.  The contraband he knew would one day come in handy.

“Alright old man, here you go.  Make ‘em last.”  Mitch handed the cigs to Edgar, who snatched them and brought them up to his nose, inhaling deeply.

“How I have missed you, my sweet!”  Edgar set the smokes in his lap and turned his attention back to Mitch, who had pulled his backpack more tightly around him. He was set.

 “It’s been real, buddy. Thanks.”  Mitch extended his hand to Edgar. 

Edgar was already busy hunting for a lighter and ignored Mitch.  It was always amazing to Mitch how resourceful the patients could be.  There was a black market in here, just like in the joint.  You could pretty much get anything you wanted if you knew the right people.  Luckily, Mitch had the inside track.  He had secured those smokes because he knew he would need them at some point.  Edgar was a slimy SOB, and Mitch had anticipated that one day he could use the smokes to barter with Edgar, who would rather smoke a last cigarette than live.

Mitch crept to the doorway, cane in hand.  He felt the familiar twinge of pain in his left hip, the one that always gave him trouble, a remnant of the Great War.  Sure hope I don’t have to run.

Mitch tossed the cane onto his bed, deciding if he was going to leave here without notice, he better do it without his cane.  He didn’t feel he needed it anyway.  Canes were for wussies.  It was his daughter who had insisted he needed one.  She was the one who had put him here in the first place.  Dumped him here when she was done with him, was more like it!

He was making a break, though!  He was going back to his home where he was quite capable of taking care of himself.  He didn’t need nurses, medication schedules, and sponge baths.  He was a grown man and could live as he had for the last 50 years since Maddy had passed.  He had kept their home, the one they bought with his GI Bill.  Sure, it had seen better days and needed some repairs, but it was his.  He didn’t need anyone’s opinion or help.  He was going back to his memories, to his Maddy.

Mitch leaned against the cold metal of the door, listening to the sounds.  All quiet.  It is time.

Slowly, so as to make as little sound as possible, Mitch cracked the door and cautiously looked out to the nurses’ station.  No one.  They must be on break.  It’s now or never.

Mitch silently emerged from his room and pulled the door behind him, pausing as it clicked shut.  He secured his backpack and made his way to the wing’s exit glowing brightly in front of him.  He moved swiftly, well as swiftly as one who limps on a bad hip, and got to the door, his hand extended and ready to push it open.

“Dr., wait.  Sir, could you sign this before you leave for the evening?”  He paused, his entire body tense as he considered how he would avoid the nurse who had stopped him.  Was he really going to be caught already? He had to get out before this nurse discovered he wasn’t a true doctor, but in fact attempting his escape!  

His back to the nurse, he replied.  “Uh.  I am sorry.  I will have to review that file tomorrow and sign then.  I will be here first thing in the morning.  Have a good evening.”  Mitch pushed the door open, and an alarm met his ears.  Red lights flashed all around him.  He hadn’t thought of this.  Of course there would be alarms and indicators that would go off when it was lights out!  What am I going to do?

“Oh geez.  I forgot my ID in the office.  Of all nights when I am in a hurry to meet my wife.  Could you slide yours for me?   Mitch slowly turned to the nurse.  As their gazes met, he sensed her suspicion.  She knew that something wasn’t quite right.

“I’m sorry sir.  I am new on the unit.”

Mitch saw his out!  She didn’t know who he was!   “Oh, yes, dear.  It is very nice to meet you.  Welcome to the unit.  I am Dr. Fox.”  Mitch extended his hand in greeting. 

Confusion washed over her.  “I am sorry.  I don’t remember seeing your name on the staff roster, but I am new here and probably missed it.”  She flushed crimson.  Mitch was elated!  She doesn’t know.  I just may get out!

“I’m sorry to be in such a rush.  But your ID, could you slide it for me?  Tonight is our anniversary, and if I am late, Maddy will have my hide!”  Mitch let out a soft laugh, so relieved he actually might trick this poor girl!

“Oh, yes sir.  I understand.”  The young nurse pulled her ID and slid it under the sensor.  The alarms and lights came to a stop as the door opened. 

“Alright, then.  Have a good evening!”  Mitch strode through the door, not waiting for her response.  He was out!  Now to the house!

Mitch walked through the parking lot to the main entrance, whistling his favorite tune, a big smile across his face.  Victory was his!

At the main entrance of the nursing home, Mitch paused, suddenly feeling disoriented.  Should I turn left or right? 

As Mitch looked around him, nothing seemed familiar.  Anxiety began to creep in.  He had escaped, only to now not know where to go!  Why can’t I remember where I am?  How did I get here? 

Mitch’s heart beat faster.  Okay, just take a deep breath, buddy.  You can figure this out.  Right?  Left? Straight?   Mitch just didn’t know.  What is wrong with me?  Maybe I just need a minute to sit and think about it.  It will come to me. 

Mitch saw a bench and had a seat.  He would just think.  He found he couldn’t, though.  All of his thoughts were a jumble.  A tear pricked his eye.  He had to remember!  Where am I?

“Do you need some help, sir?”  Mitch awoke with a start as a hand rested on his arm.  He looked up to see the same young nurse, the one who had facilitated his escape.  She looked down, concern etched on her pretty face.

“Um, yes.  I think I am lost.”  Mitch folded his hands in his lap, looking down.

“It’s okay, sir.  Let’s get you back into the home and get you settled again.”  With resignation, Mitch stood slowly and took the arm the nurse offered.  He didn’t understand why he didn’t remember the way home.  What had happened to him?

“So you know who I am?”  Mitch asked, already realizing the answer. 

“Yes, I do.  Something just didn’t feel right when you left, so I watched you for a while.  When you didn’t leave and sat on the bench, I did some checking around the unit and discovered who you really are.  Edgar tried his best to cover for you with a cockamamie story about aliens and abduction, though.” 

Good ole Edgar.  He never professed that his story would be good.    

The pair approached the entrance to the facility, and two other nurses greeted them at the door.

“Mr. Fox, let’s get you back into your room, now.  It is getting late.” The larger of the two nurses approached Mitch.  He could read her nametag.  Susan.  The nurse who never listened to him.

If only I hadn’t been confused outside.  I would already be on my way home and back to Maddy.  

A small smile crept across Susan’s face as she took his hand into hers.  She shared a look with the young nurse that Mitch didn’t quite understand. 

“Thanks for your help, Ms. Christy.  Mr. Fox gets confused sometimes.  He doesn’t remember that his brain doesn’t work quite the same as it used to.” 

Tears pricked Mitch’s eyes.  He had failed in his mission of escape.  This damn disease.  It had taken his mind from him.  Sometimes things are so clear and calculated, and then suddenly it is all gone, and I am lost again.

Mitch turned to the young nurse, full of remorse.  “Thanks for helping me, Christy.  I am sorry I caused you so much trouble and lied about who I am.”  Mitch met her eyes only briefly, but he saw great compassion in them, which comforted him some. 

“Mr. Fox, it is okay.  I am here to help.”  She put her hand on his back in comfort.      

Susan gently grasped Mitch’s arm, leading him down the hall.  “We are here to take care of you and not let anything bad happen.  I know you miss your old life, and it is hard to be here at times.  Please know that we care and want to protect you.  You can’t keep trying to leave us, though.  What if you get out, and we don’t find you one of these times?”

He followed Susan down the hall with no answer but a small sob, though he was appreciative of her sincerity.  Maybe he had misjudged her.  He wrapped the lab coat more tightly around himself, feeling like such a fool, so dumb.  He needed to be here because he couldn’t care for himself anymore if he didn’t even know where his home was.  He had been a chemist for God’s sake, and now he felt hollow and alone.    He had to hope that tomorrow would be a better day.  He would be sharper, clearer, and remember the way.