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running to see what she was doing. Maggie told him she’d bumped it with the cleaning cart. On the rare occasion she let her fantasy of escape play out, she utilized the storm tunnel. Though who would have thought she’d ever have the courage to put the plan into action? Guess desperate times and all that rot.
    “Maggie? What are you doing here?”
    She jumped three feet in the air, heart beating out of her chest. The voice came from behind her. Damn. Someone was already awake. Whirling around, a finger to her lips to silence him; she stood face to face with dear, bumbling Ned.
    “Quiet, or you’ll wake the monsters.”
    “You’re not supposed to be cleaning at night.” The guy scratched his head looking perplexed. Good-looking but dumb as a box of rocks…that was Ned.
    “No, I’m not cleaning.”
    Ned embraced her, hastily letting go when she didn’t return the hug. Nothing personal but she didn’t trust anyone nowadays. She had to act normal. “How long have you been working here, a week?” Play it cool, Mags.
    “Yeah. Some guys offered me a job last week. The hostel closed down, and I couldn’t find work. They promised a roof over my head and food. That’s enough for me. The guy in charge, Bruce, said I’d be helping to take care of everyone here. It’s not like you said it was. The people here need help.”
    He didn’t even realize this was a prison. Didn’t believe her when she told him she’d been kidnapped and held here against her will. The guy actually believed the stories Bruce and the others told him, that she and the other captives all had mental disorders and he was helping to care for them. Idiot.
    “Ned, believe me, you have to get out. These guys are really bad news. You’ve no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. Like I told you before this place is not what it seems.” Grabbing his arm, she wanted him to understand the danger. Stupid, yes but he wasn’t a bad guy.
    “Mags, it’s harsh out there. Things will be better here, they said so and I can help you get better.” Confusion filled his eyes. “I remember Bruce saying no one is to be up after lights out. What are you doing?”
    In one of the hostels she’d stayed in there was always the sound of trickling water coming from their laundry room. Ned, who worked there part-time, told her it was a storm grate. The tunnel fed into the old sewer system and ended at Edinburgh Castle. Smaller tunnels led to the larger main tunnel. Theoretically once you made it to the large artery all you had to do was follow it all the way to the castle. Ned had seen it on an old map some tourist had but never tried it. Newer homes didn’t have these grates. Many older places boarded up the openings, covering them with wallboard. No one had gotten around to boarding this one up. She pointed to the grate.
    “You gave me the idea a while ago, back at the hostel. I thought I’d go exploring.” Crossing her fingers behind her back, she waited.
    “It’s probably filled with sewage and other nasty stuff. Why not go out the front door if you want to walk around?”
    A pleading note entered her voice. “The front door is guarded. No one can know I went out. I’ll be back before everyone wakes. Don’t tell anyone, okay?” This had to work.
    He shook his head, “Are you sure you’re okay to be outside on your own? You know—in your condition?” She nodded and gave him her most innocent smile. Satisfied, he patted her shoulder. “Be careful. If you’re not back in the morning, they’ll come looking for you. Don’t forget, Mags, life on the streets is hard.”
    “I should get going.” Forcing herself to hug him, she smiled into his trusting face.
    “See ya in the morning.” Ned turned and walked down the hallway, leaving her there. She wanted to think he believed her. If he were on his way to raise the alarm, her captors would catch her before she escaped. It had to be now.
    Deep breath. You can do this.
    The spray lubricant was sitting