Stinging pain and grogginess met me as I woke up. Whilst I drifted slowly back into consciousness, I felt a myriad of sensations: firstly, something light and springy beneath my back and head, a mattress and pillow; secondly, my left arm was constricted by a tight bandage above my elbow, sealing in the soft ebbing discomfort of a recent incision; thirdly, rain still pelted against nearby windows, but now the crack of thunder rolled over the hospital's roof, turning this night into a deeper rendition of a nightmare.

The implant was out, of that I instinctively knew. I didn't bare to think of the ramifications just now, as I tried to blink my reluctant eyes open and move my weighted limbs. Glancing around the room, there was hardly any light. Whoever had been in here last, probably assumed I'd be asleep for longer. At a guess, looking out into the stormy night through the window near me, it was probably three or four in the morning.

I was in another hospital room, a small bay with the same wooden aesthetic I saw everywhere in Ardel. My single bed was tucked against one wall, with the only door about eight feet away on the opposite wall. A chair was next to the bed, probably there for a family member or a doctor to sit. The sheets covering me were glimmering white and cool, smelling of floral soap. Despite my enforced surgery, I could not complain of being placed in a rat-infested dungeon (yet).

Most shockingly of all, I was alone. No guards. No officials. No doctors. Perhaps they were outside the door, but I couldn't see a shadow beneath the frame. For whatever merciful reason, I was not being watched and I knew this might be my only chance.

Swinging my body carefully out of the bed in tiny increments lasting over several minutes, I half stood with my weight pressed lightly on the balls of my feet and my hands still touching the mattress. Gingerly I got fully off of the bed, moving incredibly slowly in case anyone was listening. My heartbeat was too fast, but that couldn't be helped.

Limping towards the window, I thanked the storm for masking me. My feet were bare, but my clothes were unchanged: the linen tunic I was given earlier and my original trousers. Casting a furtive eye back at the door, I stood beneath the window. These rooms were clearly built for wolfpeople, as the ledge was just level with my face. The frame was made of a black looking metal, a handle jutted out half-way up the pane. Reaching up, I stretched my whole body and arm to get to it. Not daring to breathe, I pulled down on the handle which I couldn't even grip with my whole hand: only the tips of my fingers.

The latch moved down. A light push. The pane slid open.

If it opened with any sound, I couldn't hear it; the rain was beating like a drum, covering up the noise. Whoever the human's goddess was, she was surely on my side tonight.

Moving more quickly now, as I knew they'd be checking on me eventually, I went and lifted the chair to bring it to the window. Careful not to drag it on the ground, I moved it as gently as I could. My arms shaking with its weight (which was probably not particularly heavy) and I positioned it beneath the ledge.

Looking back again, I still saw no shadow beneath the door. Perhaps they underestimated me? Perhaps they gave me the wrong amount of sleeping draught? Whatever the reason, I heeded it little thought as I clambered up onto the chair, using the window as a balance support.

Lightening flashed, momentarily eliminating the shadows and casting the room in white light. Desperation to get away hastened my movements. I pushed the window fully open and peered out. Bushes sat outside the window providing a scratchy bed to land on. Without bothering to look back, as I didn't want to lose my nerve, I heaved myself up over the ledge. My limbs trembling. Breath panting.

My escape was not graceful. I had very little upper body strength, and it was only by sheer force of will that I was able to force my little body over the sill. As I scraped over the edge, it tore up my shirt and the iron edge cut into my belly leaving a blood streak.

Falling like a bunch of wet leaves, I landed onto the hedge, feeling the prickles snag at my clothes and skin. I didn't stay to assess the damage. The moment I was out of the building, I began making my way along it. Pausing only to comprehend my surroundings.

I was in the middle of the hospital, I think? In some kind of courtyard: a large quad probably used for light exercise and rehabilitation. In each quadrant was a door leading back inside. Thinking logically, I made my way around to the furthest side, hoping to sneak across and out the other side of its wing. Very few lights could be seen through windows, either shutters were covering them or I simply assumed everyone was asleep. Although, it was easy to duck under the two sections that did have lamps glinting from within; I barely reached the height of any of them anyway. My humanity was my only ally at this point.

The storm was doing a marvellous job at covering any noise I made; or, I assumed it was. I was bone weary already, and my limbs felt like hauling logs. My lame leg left drag marks in the flowerbeds, and mud squelched uncomfortably between my toes.

I got to the door, and with bated breath I pulled down on the handle. Miraculously it opened, although I suppose there was no reason normally to lock this garden at night, as it was already within the grounds of the hospital. Opening it slowly, I peered my head around the door to see the coast was clear. More oak panelled corridors, but they were semi-dark and empty. The lights turned off for the night.

Dripping pathetically and leaving the world's most obvious trail, I stepped inside. No time to lose, I shuffled swiftly down the hallway leading away from the courtyard, as the moment someone found my footprints, that was it. Game over.

I had no idea where I was, perhaps some kind of administration wing as I went past what seemed to be offices and consultation rooms. I didn't even pause to find a towel to wipe my feet – what did it matter with their super senses anyway? After a few twists and turns, I came to some kind of back door. A metal key hang on the wall; it fit the lock perfectly. Of course – why would these Wolfpeople assume anyone would break out from within?

Back out into the rain, but this time closer to freedom. Sun was just beginning to encroach upon the night sky, no longer pitch-black but a drizzly grey, I stepped out into what appeared to be the back of the hospital; some kind of workers' only door. I had no idea how long it had been since I escaped my room, but I feared they had already discovered I was missing.

Plunging again into the cold, I set off in the direction in front of me. Although, the rain had at least began to soften. The hospital was in the northern part of the city and the path to the backdoor let out on one of the streets. Regent Street? Wait, I know this road. I'd visited here a few times to go to a public museum, an entire lifetime ago.

Moving with more confidence, I shuffled painfully down the road; a plan forming in my mind. Ardel was a wonderful city, built with a clear infrastructure in mind and around the landscape's natural features. When I had first arrived, I had spent many days admiring its layout and studying various maps; this place was an exotic haven compared to the small, confined settlement I grew-up in.

If I just kept following this road, by now I had turned down a street called 'King's Lane' (the irony was not lost on me), I would end up at... A sigh of relief finally left my lips. This nightmare wasn't over yet, but a small speck of hope bloomed in my heart. Ardel River ran through the entire city, barges and boats were a constant feature, bringing trade and travellers from the Port towns. If I could just get onto some kind of sailing craft, and that was a big if, then I might just be able to get away before the city guards were alerted.

I ignored the voice inside my head that said this was a fool's hope. I was on borrowed time as it was, and I did not have the strength to operate an oar. I could barely walk straight anymore. Nonetheless, I ploughed on; unsure what was even motivating me by this point.

Throwing myself at the railings, I gazed down desperately at the embankment below. Some sleepy fishing boats were just being woken up further down the bend by their owners, and lo and behold a long barge was being pootled out upon by an early riser. A man I think, was untying rope and getting ready to set off up the coast. Probably to get to a market on time for morning.

Using the shelter of the lessening rain, I snuck down some stairs leading down to the edge. Feeling like the fugitive that I was, I hid behind a huge coil of rope and a hazardous pile of lobster boxes. Peering carefully around, I was delighted to observe this barge owner (I assume he was the owner) was most likely human from the look of his short frame.

Stealing myself and knowing I had little to lose, I waited until his back was turned and the man was occupied with a task near the bow of the ship. Glancing all around me to check no one else was looking, I limped quickly across the little gangplank and slid behind the main cabin. A little lean to for firewood and tools was open and I threw myself in there, scrunching up my body uncomfortably to sit behind the logs.

With bated breath I waited. Maybe just a quarter of an hour later, I felt the boat move. We'd set off. At the same time, a loud and incessant toll sounded. My escape had been found out.