Chapter Eight:
Chapter Title : A Game of Chess
The nurse handed Annalisa her medication as usual.
With an innocent smile, Annalisa accepted the pills and placed them into her mouth. She took a sip of water before opening her mouth obediently. The nurse examined her carefully.
Satisfied, she smiled."Good girl."
She turned around to place the empty cup back onto the tray.
And in that single moment was all Annalisa needed.Her fingers moved, quick and silent.
By the time the nurse looked back, the pills were gone.
Nothing seemed unusual.
"See you later, Anna."
The heavy door clicked shut. Only then did Annalisa reach beneath the edge of her mattress. Five untouched pills rolled into her palm. A faint smile tugged at her lips.
"They're getting careless."
She placed the real pills into a small cloth pouch hidden beneath a loose floorboard.
In their place lay five carefully carved pieces of white chalk.
Months of practice had made them almost identical to the real medication.
Every meal, every dose, every day was the same performance.
For five years not a single pill had ever reached her stomach.
She lay back against the thin mattress, folding her hands behind her head. To anyone looking through the small observation window, she was no different from the other patients.
Quiet, docile and completely broken.
A girl who had surrendered to her fate but only Annalisa knew how far that illusion was from the truth.
For nearly a year, she had been watching.
Every doctor's routine, every nurse's habit, every guard's patrol.
Who arrived late. Who skipped breakfast.
Who lingered too long chatting in the hallway. Who disappeared for a cigarette behind the laundry building.
And nothing escaped her notice. She memorized every face. Every single schedule, every weakness.
Patience had always been her greatest weapon.
A careless enemy defeated themselves.
All she had to do was wait.
Finally, the opportunity she had been waiting for arrived.
The annual General Inspection.
Once every year, the institution transformed into a stage. Doctors rushed to organize patient files. Nurses scrubbed every corridor until it gleamed. Guards abandoned their usual routines to escort visiting officials.
For one day, everyone became too busy pretending the hospital was perfect.
And that single day, was the only crack in an otherwise flawless prison.
It was also the reason Damien had been able to contact her all these years.
Sending hidden messages.
This year, however...
The messages carried only one meaning.
'Be ready'
Five days.
In five days, Damien would prepare everything. A change of clothes, transportation, a safe houses, new identities.
Every detail had to be perfect, because this time she wasn't just escaping, she was disappearing. Completely.
Annalisa closed her eyes for the first time in years and s genuine smile touched her lips.
"The countdown begins."
...
Morning arrived quietly.
Soft rays of sunlight slipped through the barred window, casting long shadows across the floor.
Annalisa's eyes opened. Sharp and alert.
Not a trace of drowsiness remained she climbed out of bed, folded her blanket with practiced precision, washed up, and changed into a fresh set of hospital clothes.
Then she sat on the edge of her bed.
Waiting.
Three knocks echoed from the steel door.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Right on time.
"Come in," Annalisa answered softly.
The electronic lock beeped before the heavy door swung open.
"Good morning, Anna."
Doctor Jisoo stepped inside, carrying her clipboard as always.
She was the youngest psychiatrist in the institution, her gentle smile making her seem almost out of place among the cold white walls. Unlike the others, she never looked at Annalisa with fear.
Only concern. "Did you sleep well?" she asked. Annalisa nodded obediently.
"Yes, Doctor."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Doctor Jisoo smiled before beginning her routine examination. She checked Annalisa's temperature, blood pressure and pulse as protocol every now and then, she scribbled something onto her clipboard.
"You've been doing much better lately," she said warmly. "I'm proud of you."
Annalisa lowered her eyes shyly.
"Thank you."
To Doctor Jisoo, it was the smile of a patient slowly recovering but to her, it was another successful performance. While Jisoo focused on writing her notes, Annalisa's eyes drifted elsewhere.
Not to the clipboard nor to the stethoscope but to the white keycard clipped neatly to the doctor's coat.
It swayed gently every time she moved.
Right side just like always.
For months, Annalisa had watched that card, during every visit and every examination, never once had Doctor Jisoo changed where she kept it.
She was just too predictable, reliable and trusting. A dangerous combination.
Annalisa slowly lowered her gaze again, hiding the faint smile threatening to appear.
Because today, Doctor Jisoo was going to make the worst mistake of her career.
Doctor Jisoo finished writing the last few notes on her clipboard before looking up with a warm smile.
"Everything looks good today." Annalisa smiled back, her expression as innocent as ever.
"I'm happy you're feeling better, Anna."
"Thank you, Doctor." Jisoo clipped the pen back onto her clipboard and stepped closer.
"I'd like to check your pupils one more time."
Annalisa nodded obediently.
"Okay."
Jisoo leaned forward and shone a small penlight into her eyes. "Look at me."
Annalisa obeyed. For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Annalisa blinked.
"...Doctor?"
"Yes?"
"My bracelet..." Jisoo frowned. "What about it?"
"I think it's caught on your coat."
Instinctively, Jisoo looked down only for a second.
But ghat second was enough.
Annalisa's fingers moved with terrifying precision.The keycard slid free from its clip without making the slightest sound.
In the same motion, she slipped it beneath the loose sleeve of her hospital gown. By the time Jisoo looked back up, Annalisa was still sitting exactly where she had been.
Looking confused.
Jisoo glanced at her coat.
"Oh..."
"It wasn't caught after all."
"I'm sorry."
Annalisa smiled sheepishly.
"It's okay."
Jisoo chuckled."You startled me."
"I'm sorry, Doctor."
"It's alright."She gathered her clipboard and turned toward the door."I'll see you this afternoon."
"I'll be waiting."
The heavy door shut behind her.
Click.
Silence.
...
Five steps.
Six.
Seven.
The sound of Jisoo's footsteps faded down the corridor.
Only then did Annalisa reached into her sleeve. Yhe white access card rested quietly in her palm, she stared at it for a long moment.
Then aslow smile spread across her face.
"The first piece..."
"...is mine."