Arc Five: Something Smells Rotten in the Big Apple

Part 3: Escape

Streets of New York-Near the Plaza Hotel

December 23, 1991-2:15 P.M.

(Christine's PoV:)

Are those two punks ever going to get tired? I look back to see them still after us. We run through the streets of New York with my siblings, avoiding bumping into people and dodging oncoming cars. I'm terrified we're going to get captured again. I doubt there will be anyone to save us a second time from being shot… I shiver at that thought. I just hope we reach the safety of the hotel soon. This cold weather isn't helping the situation any.

"Hey, Christine! I see a way we can slow down those two horse's asses!" Kevin shouts.

"How, little bro?" panicked, I ask, remembering last year, how we defeated those punks by laying booby traps throughout the house. I'm waiting to hear his idea.

"Buy some of those pearls those guys are selling on the next corner up ahead!" Kevin points at the Jamaicans, who are loudly advertising the pearls they have for sale.

"Great idea, Kevin!" I praise, while looking back to see how much distance separates us from those bandits. It's too close for comfort. I pull a twenty-dollar bill from Dad's money out of my purse. "Hey, Linnie! Run ahead of us and buy us twenty bucks worth of those Jamaican pearls! It might just save our lives, and I picked you to get them, because you're the fastest of the three of us!" Linnie doesn't bother arguing, as she takes the money and quickly runs ahead…

(Linnie's PoV:)

I run to purchase the pearls like Christine asked me to, and I don't understand why. I'm feeling very frightened right now, since I don't understand why those burglars I saw in the newspaper last year are so obsessed about capturing and killing us.

I didn't do anything to them to deserve a gun shoved into my back and be threatened with death. I choke back a sob. My stomach is tight, and I'm shaking at the thought of what those burglars could do to us.

It's obvious those two escaped from prison, and they match the description of the escapees that Christine mentioned on the news a few days back. The thing that scares me the most about those two men, is that they know where my parents live. They act like they've been there before, and they know Kevin and Christine. Are Christine and Kevin hiding something? I notice I'm in front of the sellers' table now.

"Buy your pearls here! Three sets for five dollars! Six sets for ten dollars! They make great gifts!" the Jamaican dealer shrills loudly.

"Could I have twelve sets of those pearls please?" I ask, handing him the money Christine gave me. He hands me the fake pearls, and I quickly hurry back to Christine…

(Christine's PoV:)

"Good job, Linnie!" I praise, as she hands me the necklaces. "If all goes according to plan, these pearls should cause those two to slip backwards, buying us some time to reach the hotel. The only problem, is the timing has to be just right, so no one innocent gets hurt, and those punks don't see what we're doing," I explain, handing Linnie and Kevin four necklaces each. My siblings just nod, as they wait for my signal. "Now!" I shout, seeing how the bandits are close, and no innocents are in the way to get hurt.

Each of us snap the necklace strings and quickly let the pearls scatter everywhere onto the sidewalk. Those two bastards suddenly become airborne and crash hard onto the pavement. Their screams of agony are music to my ears.

"We did it!" Kevin high-fives Linnie and I in celebration. We high-tail it for the Plaza, which is in sight…

(Harry's PoV:)

"Oh, my aching head…" I moan, slowly getting back to my feet. If it wasn't for that stupid Reverend interfering, those brats would've already been dead. "Come on, Marv, get up and quit your whimpering," I kick him in the side. "I have a plan." I still see them in the distance, angry they nailed us again with one of their traps. We then head in their direction…

(Louis' PoV:)

I watch the action from a hidden location through some binoculars, shaking my head. I can't believe Lime and Merchants didn't see those pearls scattered on the sidewalk. I mean, they were right out in the open. I'm starting to question why Hector's picked these men for such an important job. Well, here we go again! I see Lime and Merchants continue the pursuit, as I follow them…

Plaza Hotel

December 23, 1991-2:35 P.M.

(Mr. Hector's PoV:)

"Mr. Hector, shouldn't you be at your desk?" I hear Ms. Stone question, with a strong hint of disapproval. I sigh, watching the door, waiting for those brats to return.

"Cedric is manning the desk, Ms. Stone. I'm sure he's doing a fine job," I reply, sarcastically.

"If you say so, Mr. Hector. I'll be in my office doing paperwork, if I'm needed," Ms. Stone glares, before briefly speaking with Cedric and heading to the office.

"I'm glad she's gone; one less hurdle out of the way," I say to myself.

My anger rises, when I see Merchants and Lime chasing the McCallisters toward the hotel. Those fools are going to blow everything, if they come anywhere close to the hotel! I'll make them regret it, if they do. I think of possibly pinning all the crimes I committed of stealing from the hotel guests onto them.

To my relief, Lime and Merchants break off the chase, and blend in with the pedestrians. I hope Louis is still tailing those two. The McCallister trio rushes through the hotel entrance. To their horror, I step in front of them, blocking their way. I grin, as I prepare to go in for the kill…

(Christine's PoV:)

Much to my frustration, we get away from the bandits, only to have to deal with Mr. Hector. I wonder why the smug bastard is grinning?

"Oh, dear… You three seem to be startled," he mocks us, causing my temper to flare.

"You'd be startled, too, if you were chased by two guys, wanting to kill…" I growl, before being cut off. I try to get passed him, but he keeps blocking us, which is pissing me off even more.

"Silence… You McCallisters are not going anywhere, except to my office, so we can discuss the matter about using a stolen credit card," he snarls, tightly grabbing ahold of my arm and twisting it, causing me to yelp in pain. We're all unaware that people are watching all the commotion, and that Cedric has snuck off to get help.

"Let go of me, you bastard! You're hurting my arm!" I cry out, feeling like my arm could snap in two at any moment, from the way he's bending it.

"You're coming with me, missy, and you two better not make any commotion, or I'll break your sister's arm," he threatens my siblings, enraging me. A tearful Kevin and Linnie hold one another, shivering in fear.

Feeling super pissed, I use my free arm to elbow Mr. Hector hard in the ribs, forcing him to release me. He tries to punch me in the nose, but misses, as I weave out of the way. I know he's full of shit about Dad's credit card being stolen.

He tries to take another swipe at me with his fist, aiming to break my glasses and possibly injure one of my eyes, but I dodge that, too. I use the opening to headbutt him hard in the face, knocking him backwards, and giving him a well-deserved bloody nose.

"Why, you filthy skank…" he sneers.

He sees the blood drip onto his fingers, as he charges at me again. Feeling my adrenaline flow, I daze the bastard with a high kick to the face, staggering him cross-eyed. I then painfully flip him onto his back with a judo throw.

My siblings and I use this moment to make a run for the elevators, quickly pushing the button for the 16th floor. I happily watch the bastard Concierge twitch loudly in pain.

"Christine, what's going on? Why are all these people trying to hurt us?" Linnie sobs, as Kevin clings on to me, shaking.

"First of all, I'm fine, Kevin. He didn't hurt me too bad," I rub my aching arm. "Linnie, I don't know about Mr. Hector, but I'll try to explain about the bandits, once everything calms down." The bell dings, signaling we've arrived on our floor…

(Cedric's PoV:)

I quickly rush to Ms. Stone's office, to inform her of the commotion happening in the lobby. Ms. Stone isn't just a person that checks in people, she's also the boss. Her official title, being the general manager of the New York branch of the Plaza Hotel. She handles the administrative tasks, personnel changes, and the day-to-day running of the hotel, in place of the never-seen owner.

I knew Mr. Hector was no good from day one, when he started working here. I refuse to believe Mr. Hector's accusations about Christine being a credit card thief, especially after Mr. Hector assaulted her. I burst through the door of Ms. Stone's office, scaring her. She handles the checking in duties, as a way to monitor the performance of the other employees.

"Mr. Schneider, what is the meaning of this intrusion? Have you ever heard of knocking?" Ms. Stone scolds, clutching her chest.

"I know. I'm sorry, Ma'am, but Mr. Hector has gone insane, and is attacking the McCallister trio. He claims they used a stolen credit card…" I ramble off, explaining what's transpiring outside.

"Mr. Hector will be dealt with soon enough for his appalling actions, but he's right about the card being reported stolen, and he knew that the McCallisters were to be left alone about it," Ms. Stone states, upset about Mr. Hector causing trouble and not following orders.

"I don't understand, Ms. Stone. So, is Christine in trouble?" I ask her.

"No, Ms. McCallister is not in any trouble. She did tell the truth about being an authorized user, and did not commit any crime, using it to check in to the Plaza Hotel. They're checking in as legitimate guests, and she and her siblings are to be treated as such," Ms. Stone explains, punching a few buttons to alert security of the situation in the lobby.

"If Ms. McCallister can use the card, then why has it been reported stolen?" I ask, still confused.

A look of sorrow comes across Ms. Stone's face. "I was made aware that Ms. McCallister and her siblings have been reported missing by their parents. Somehow, the family got separated at the airport. The card being reported stolen was the only means for the McCallisters' parents to locate their children,"

"What do you mean, Ms. Stone?" I ask, feeling sorrow for the McCallister trio.

Ms. Stone is about to explain, but an older, uniformed security officer has entered the office. "Clifford, what's the situation in the lobby?" Ms. Stone addresses the head of security.

"It's all calm, as of right now. There was no damage. Multiple eyewitnesses reported the Concierge went insane, as he grabbed and threatened to harm a guest. Thankfully, the guest got free, and a minor fight occurred, afterwards. Eyewitnesses reported Mr. Hector instigated it; the guest attacked in self-defense, knocking down Mr. Hector. The guest fled for the elevator soon after. Mr. Hector vanished. I have my people searching every inch of the hotel for him," Clifford explains.

"Thank you, Clifford. Once Mr. Hector is found, have your men detain him,"

"You can count on it, Ms. Stone. I never liked the barnacle brain, to start with…"

Ms. Stone then turns her focus onto me, "Cedric, I want you to check on the McCallisters, to see if they're all right," Ms. Stone orders. "I just hope they've not left the hotel…"

I salute, "Yes, Ma'am…"

Plaza Hotel-Room 1605

December 23, 1991-2:44 P.M.

(Christine's PoV:)

"Kevin, Linnie, make sure you leave nothing behind. We're no longer safe staying here, because of that crazy Concierge!" I snap at them, feeling a mixture of fear and anger. I quickly open the snack cabinet and grab whatever food I can. I stuff it into all three of our backpacks. I don't know how long Dad's money will last us…

"But, what about those two men, who tried to kill us earlier? Won't we be placing ourselves in danger of running into them again, if we do leave?" Linnie cries, still shaken up. She makes a good point.

"Yes…" I'm about to finish answering, until someone kicks open the door, scaring the three of us. It's a pissed off Mr. Hector. He has a gun, and is aiming it at us. Everyone wants to kill us today, it seems like… My siblings cling on to me for protection.

"How did you get in here?! I thought I locked the door! You must think you're really tough, pointing a gun at an unarmed woman and two kids, you sick bastard!" I scream at him.

"Silence!" he barks. He walks up to me and strikes me hard across the face with the back of his hand, knocking me butt-first onto the floor. Tears form in my eyes, as I place my hand onto my now-stinging jaw.

"That's a receipt for doing this to me in the lobby," He points to the bruise on his jaw, before suddenly grabbing Linnie by her arm. He places the gun against her head, much to my horror. "You three, move it now, before I splatter blondie's brains on the carpet!"

"Christine, help me please… I don't want to die!" Linnie mouths, crying.

Kevin and I do what he says to protect Linnie. Hector marches us out of the room, holding Linnie at gunpoint. I have a feeling Linnie's going to join Kevin and I in therapy after this is all said and done. That's if we survive… Again, I wonder if we'll ever get out of this mess. The three of us will never feel safe again…

(Cedric's PoV:)

A gut feeling tells me to take the guest stairwell up to the 16th floor. I just hope nothing has happened to the McCallisters, as I head for the room they're staying in. My insides become sick, and I feel my anger flaring, when I spot Mr. Hector, escorting the McCallisters at gunpoint, in the direction of the maintenance stairwell.

"What should I do?" I ask myself, thinking of what to do.

I could go get help, but the McCallisters could be dead, by the time help arrives. I guess it's up to me to save them, knowing I'm putting my own life in danger. It's a sacrifice I have to make, because they need my help.

In addition, I owe some payback to Mr. Hector, for all the insults, physical abuse, and intimidation he's belittled me with, since he started working here. I just hope my super heroics don't end up getting the McCallisters killed, as I stealthily follow after Mr. Hector…

(Christine's PoV:)

I silently pray for a miracle that my siblings and I make it out of this nightmare alive. I have to restrain my temper, seeing the distress that bastard is causing Linnie of holding that gun to her head; especially after getting her away from that goof bandit that had a gun shoved in her back.

I just shudder, feeling like another anxiety attack is about to hit me. Kevin is clinging on to me, scared about everything that's happening. I can feel the wetness of his tears soak through my jeans. The bandits, I can understand, but this guy is insane, and that's saying a lot. I mean, threatening us over a stolen credit card, which is not even stolen?

"Alright, you three. We're about to take a trip downstairs to the basement. You'll find out why soon enough. You'd better stay quiet, or something very bad will happen to Melinda here," The bastard smirks, freaking me out; especially how he knows my sister's first name…

(Cedric's PoV:)

I overhear that slime ball Hector say he's planning on taking the McCallisters to the basement. The only thing in the basement, that I know of, is the hotel garage, and where the mechanical systems are located. (Ie. Heating, cooling, water, electrical, trash disposal…)

Taking a deep breath, I say to myself, "It's now or never…"

(Christine's PoV:)

"What the hell?! Get off my back, whoever you are, before you regret it!" I hear the crazy Concierge suddenly yell, followed by a thump to the ground.

I look back to see what's happening, and discover that Cedric has tackled Mr. Hector onto the ground from behind, saving Linnie in the process. He's struggling to wrestle the gun from Mr. Hector's hand, while he still tries to aim the gun at us.

"Run, McCallisters! Run! Don't look back!" I hear Cedric shout. I blow Cedric a kiss to show him my gratitude for saving us. I then grab my siblings' hands and take them through the same door that Mr. Hector was planning to take us through.

"Cedric!" I anxiously cry, when I hear a loud gunshot, after quickly running down multiple flights of steps of the stairwell. It's poorly lit and noisy, with my scared siblings. I'm trying to find an exit out of this place, while praying Cedric isn't dead or hurt.

"There's an exit, Christine!" Kevin points at the door that reads, "Emergency Exit-Keep shut at all times, unless it's an emergency."

"Good job, Kevin!" I praise, kicking open the door. We head into the cold weather outside and right into the unwelcoming arms of the bandits…

Plaza Hotel-16thFloor

December 23, 1991-2:55 P.M.

(Cedric's PoV:)

"Nooo! I had them in my grasp! I'm going to kill you for your inference, Cedric!" Hector yells, angry over the McCallisters' successful escape. The struggle between Hector and I over his gun recommences. I soon find myself on my back, with a headache, after Hector bonks the top of my head with his gun. He gets back onto his feet. "Prepare to die, Cedric. Your heroics saving the McCallisters will be in vain, once I find them," Hector threatens, his icy eyes coldly staring down at mine. He aims the gun right at my head, preparing to squeeze the trigger. I just close my eyes and prepare to meet my maker.

"Drop the gun, Mr. Hector, or I'll shoot!" I hear Clifford suddenly yell, as a warning to Hector. I wonder how Clifford knew I was in trouble. A guest must've made a complaint…

I see the anger flare in Hector's eyes, as he aims the gun at Clifford and fires at him. Clifford winces, as the bullet grazes his shoulder, staggering him. Though, he's able to return fire at Hector, hitting him in the hip. Hector yells in pain, dropping to his knees.

Clifford approaches an injured Hector with caution. Two security guards flank him, as he quickly picks up Hector's gun. He speaks into his radio, summoning for the police and medical services. Ms. Stone soon arrives to assess the situation. She explains that the 16th floor is on lockdown, and the guests were notified by phone to stay in their rooms, until further notice.

She checks on me and asks, concerned, "Are you OK, Cedric?" She tends to the swollen knot on top of my head.

"Just a painful headache, from where Hector hit me over the head with his gun," I reply.

"The medics and police should be here soon," she assures me, glaring at Hector. "What about the McCallisters?"

"They fled down the maintenance stairwell after they got away from Hector. I haven't seen them since," I sadly explain, to the best of my knowledge, to Ms. Stone and Clifford, about what happened up here.

"I have Norman and Sam reviewing CCTV camera tapes for this floor, to see what exactly took place," Clifford informs Ms. Stone, while assuring that his wound will be fine, until the medics arrive.

"Good," Ms. Stone nods, turning her icy stare onto Hector, who glares back. "Mr. Hector, you're in so much trouble. I mean, disobeying orders, harassing guests, attacking guests, holding guests hostage, violating the hotel no weapons policy, threatening guests and employees with a deadly weapon, injuring an employee with said deadly weapon, and so forth… As far as I'm concerned, you're no longer an employee of the Plaza Hotel." My heart jumps for joy, hearing those words.

"You can't fire me! You don't have the authority to do so! You're just a clerk!" Hector fires back.

"I'm more than a clerk, Hector; I'm also the general manager, in case you've forgotten. So, Mr. Hector, you're fired!" Ms. Stone growls. "I'd also like to mention that the police have been informed of your actions, and are coming to collect you," Seeing the panic show up on Hector's face, interests me.

"I'd like to see how they're going to arrest me, when I'm not here…" Hector rambles. We're unaware he's reaching for something up his sleeve.

Ms. Stone is about to retort, when a loud bang suddenly knocks her to the floor. A white, blinding, odorless smoke begins enveloping the hallway. It stings my eyes, and sets off the fire alarm and sprinklers.

"The bastard used a flash grenade!" Clifford growls, reaching for his radio to summon the fire department.

The guests on this floor quickly file out of their rooms in panic, heading for the nearest exit off the floor. Unknown to us, Hector has escaped down the stairs with the other guests, using the chaos created by the smoke as a cover for his escape…

END