Head Spinners by Thalia Kalkipsakis Page A

a chuckle. The view showed the guards and nurse all huddled around a monitor. They were doing the same as us, looking through the CCTV network. For a while, we looked at them looking for us.
    They had a problem, though. The office we were in didn’t have any cameras, so they had no idea where we were. They kept pointing at the screen and scratching their heads. After a while they began to search through the ward, looking in cupboards and under beds.
    We didn’t have much time. In a new window I brought up a map of the hospital and worked out the nearest exit from the doorway to our ward – not a lift, but a stairwell.
    â€˜Here,’ I said, pointing. ‘We have to get out of the ward again and bolt for the stairs.’
    â€˜That’s a great idea,’ said Jack dryly. ‘But we have to get out again first . . .’ He pointed at a view of the nurses’ station. Two of the guards were still looking for us, but one was standing next to the exit.
    Rats.
    â€˜What now, Brooke?’ asked Erin. ‘What are we going to do?’ Her eyes were eager and
trusting.
    â€˜We need a decoy,’ Jack said, looking at Erin.
    I crouched down to Erin’s level, two hands on her shoulders and my third brushing a bit of hair behind her ear. ‘Erin,’ I said. ‘We need the guards to chase you. If you can get them to do that then Jack and I can make it to the exit.’
    â€˜Why me?’ she pouted.
    â€˜Because we’ll be faster without you,’ Jack said.
    â€˜Even with your wings,’ I added, but I didn’t tell her what I was really thinking: this way I know you’ll be safe. ‘Once everyone knows about us, they won’t be able to hide you away. We’ll make sure you get to show them your wings.’
    â€˜Promise?’
    I didn’t want to say it, but Erin’s eyes gave me no choice. ‘Okay, I promise.’

    It wasn’t easy watching Erin trot away. On the monitor, she looked so tiny.
    Jack and I stayed in the office, watching her pass through each camera view as she ran the back way around to the other end of the hall leading to the exit doors. Just as we’d planned, the guard at the exit was the first to see her. He called out, and Erin turned and bolted.
    I held my breath as the guard called out again. He looked up and down the hall, waiting for the others. Then he gave up and ran after Erin.
    â€˜Good man,’ said Jack to the monitor.
    Outside our door came the clatter of running feet, growing louder then fading as they passed.
    Now was our time. Together we slipped out of the office and bolted straight to the sliding doors. I could hear shouting from the direction Erin had run but I couldn’t see what was happening.
We dashed through the doors and into the hall. This time the alarm didn’t even sound.
    Without a word we raced for the stairwell, pausing only to make sure the door didn’t slam behind us. Jack was ahead of me, taking two stairs at a time. The first landing had a small window and a camera mounted in the corner of the ceiling. I turned my face away from it. Would anyone still be watching the CCTV?
    When I made it to the ground floor, Jack placed his hand on the doorknob. ‘Ready?’ he asked.
    â€˜I . . . I guess,’ I stammered, but suddenly I wasn’t sure. Now that we were so close to showing ourselves, I couldn’t help thinking about Mum: I can’t stand to think how they’d treat her. The awful things they’d say.
    What would she say once she realised I’d shown the whole world?
    â€˜We don’t have to . . .’ Jack began.
    Then, from outside at street level, came a scream followed by cries of alarm. We were at the window just in time to see something glide past. Bigger than a bird, with wings held wide.
    It was Erin.
    â€˜Oh . . . man!’ cried Jack, nudging me out of the way and straining to see out the