by Susan J.

Robert and Electra left the abandoned hotel with the disk and the case with eighteen million dollars. Left behind lying in a pool of blood were Nicolai and Miguel.

As the dust settled Miguel began to move, he opened his eyes and looked around slowly, he realized that he was hurt and hurt badly, shot four times in the chest by Robert and once in the kidney area by Electra. He decided to lie still for a few minutes to gather enough strength to get up. As he laid there he smiled and said "I’m still here. I’m still alive."

He was able to crawl over to the stairs where there was a railing, he grabbed the railing and pulled himself up. The pain was intense and he almost passed out, but he didn’t. He finally stood up on his feet.

"You're going to pay for this Rath and so is your little bitch!" he said.

He made it out of the building and onto the street, he was bleeding very badly from the gun shots. A couple were walking by and saw him stagger into the street and collapse. The couple ran over to him and the man said to his companion

"Call for an ambulance!"

The woman took out a cell phone from her purse and called for help

"Yes, a man has been shot and we need an ambulance right away! The street is Calle de las Rosas, we’re right in front of the burned out hotel. Please hurry!" she hung up.

Miguel started to move, the man said "Don’t move mister help is on the way."

Miguel calmed down, the ambulance arrived and took him to the hospital. The doctor in the emergency room took one look at him and said "Get him to the operating room now!"

The hospital staff rushed Miguel into the operating room. They prepared him for surgery, as they anesthesiologist started to put the mask over his face he started to fight them. The doctor said "Restrain him quickly!"

As the staff tied his hands and feet Miguel still struggled.

"Let me loose!" he yelled.

The doctor got close to his ear so that only Miguel could hear him.

"We’re trying to help you. Now if you don’t stop moving I’m going to let you bleed to death. Do you want to live or die? Your choice."

Miguel looked at the doctor.

"I want to live." He said.

"Good, then let us do our job. Now, before we put you under, tell me your name."

Miguel thought for a few seconds and said "Rath. Robert Rath."

"Okay Mr. Rath, let’s get started," said the doctor.

Miguel went to sleep. The doctor and his staff started operating on him.

"My God how could he survive a total of five gun shots? asked a nurse.

"Didn’t you see how he fought like a tiger when we were trying to put him out?" said the doctor.

"Yes."

"Anyone who has that kind of strength to fight with five bullets in him will survive anything."

The operation lasted three hours and Miguel pulled through. They put him in intensive care; two nurses stayed behind to make sure everything was all right.

"How could anybody shoot another human being?" one nurse said.

"I don’t know? Come on we’ve got work to do," said the other nurse.

A few days passed and Miguel began to recover. The doctor came in to check on him and he noticed that he was awake.

"How do you feel Mr. Rath?"

"Like shit. When can I leave?" Miguel said.

"Oh that won’t be for another week or two. Mr. Rath you were very badly hurt."

"No shit! Remember, I’m the one who got shot," he said in a sarcastic tone.

"Mr. Rath do you have anyone I should call?"

"No. I was here on business alone."

"Well, if you think of anybody please let us know."

"I will."

The nurse came in and walked over to the doctor.

"Excuse me doctor, but the police are here and they would like to talk to Mr. Rath."

"Where are they?" the doctor said.

"They're waiting in the hall." She said.

"Mr. Rath are you feeling up to talking with the police?"

"Not really. Maybe tomorrow," Miguel said.

"Okay. I’ll let them know."

The doctor and the nurse left the room. Miguel began looking around the room. He knew he had to leave the hospital before the police came back. The nurse came back in.

"Can I get you anything Mr. Rath?" she said.

"No, but you can answer a question for me," he said.

"If I can?"

"Well I need to know where my clothes and wallet are."

"Your clothes were all torn and bloody so we threw them away. As for your wallet it’s in the drawer of the table by the bed."

"When I’m ready to leave the hospital what clothes am I going to wear?" he said.

"Don’t worry we’ll have something for you to wear. Call if you need anything." She left.

He had to plan his escape. It was now about two in the morning and he knew that there was a small staff on duty, this was the opportunity that he needed. He carefully removed the IV needle from his arm and stuck it into the pillow. As he slowly got our of bed he felt a pain shoot through him.

"Son of a bitch this hurts! I’m coming after you Rath. I intend to be number one," he mumbled.

He got his wallet from the drawer and walked over to the door. He looked down the hallway and saw no one. The door across from his room read "Supply Room". He walked over to the door and went inside where he found some scrubs that the doctors wore along with a white lab coat and slippers. He quickly put them on. He found a small canvas bag and filled it with bandages and other supplies for his wounds. He put on a surgeon’s cap and walked out of the room. He looked to make sure no one would see him, he then headed down the hallway.

He reached the elevator and pushed the button, the doors opened and he got in. He rode down to the lobby. He got off the elevator and started towards the front door. A security guard saw him.

"Late night Doc?" he said.

Miguel froze in his tracks. He rubbed his eyes.

"Yes, a very late night."

"Well go home and get some rest."

"I will. Good night," Miguel said.

"Good night Doc."

Miguel walked out of the hospital and out into the darkness of the night.