Tonight was the big night. If he didn't escape today he would suffer the cat o'nine over his back again. He should avoid being caught at all costs, otherwise he has to face double the consequences.
The lad had focused on the layout of the prison during his cleaning job. He knew exactly what the best escape route was. And figuring out the guards walking pattern proved not to be so difficult either. As for tools for the lock, he had everything he needed after receiving the extra spoon from the man from the train.
Judging by the stand of the moon it was about an hour after lights-out. The prison warden had passed his cell about a minute or so. The boy slipped of his hard bed and crouched to the door. First he had to get the plate off that hid the lock for the prisoner.
He carefully undid the plate with the help of the back of the spoon and laid it down beside him. Now came the more delicate part. For his escape he had chosen the moment that the moon shone right in his cell. It would make picking the lock a lot easier, especially on a bright night as this one. Still he knew this also meant that it would be harder to remain unseen.
He peered inside the lock's mechanism, and started fumbling around with the nails. The fools, did they really think that such a simple lock could keep him in? After manipulating some cogs he managed to reach the core of the lock were its vital parts were located. Now, how was he going to…
Suddenly a loud clang shot him out of his focus. He peaked over his shoulder. Phew, it was just a rat that had knocked over the carafe holding his bowl.
Where was he? Right, the core of the lock. The spring needed to be activated in order to unlock the door. Meaning he had to flip over the cog to its left somehow… Ha! He gave one of the nails a sharp turn. With a satisfying click the spring was activated and the door unlocked.
With the help of the nails and the back of the spoon he quickly got rid of the ball and chain around his ankle. Excellent, everything was going to plan.
He pushed the door slightly open and glanced around. No one to be seen. He sneaked outside. Oil lamps illuminated the prison ward. The lad silently made his way to the stairway careful not to make too much noise on the iron grids below.
He had just reached the hallway leading to the kitchen when two guards stepped around the corner. Shit! He ducked behind the locker holding a fire extinguisher. It would only be a matter of time before they discovered him. The boy held his breath and shut his eyes. Just a few more steps. The footsteps came to a halt and he heard the squeaking of a door being opened. The guards mumbled something and started… kissing!? The lad peeped around the corner. Those guards were genuinely kissing and stroking each other. After a few kisses the two men entered the staff room together and closed the door. The lad left his hiding place confused about what he just witnessed. He had heard stories about things like this before but had never seen it himself.
"Curious," he whispered to himself "so it does exist. Anyway, let's not dilly-dally and get out of here."
The young prisoner arrived at the courtyard. From the shadows he observed the guards patrolling the prison's outer wall. If he managed to reach the outer wall unseen he still had to get over it. Let's see. If he stood next to the wall the wardens on top couldn't see him. But then he wouldn't be able to climb over the wall itself. When the guards were walking to the wall on his left they would be able to see him climbing. Think Hersh, think. He was small compared to the other prisoners so he might be harder to spot. However, it was a relatively clear night. In other words he had to climb the wall when the guards were still on it but he had to get over the wall when they were moving away.
The lad climbed the wall as only the most desperate criminals could, using every single foothold possible even if it were just the space between bricks. It put an incredible strain on the bruises left by the whip, he grunted, if he could only reach the top of the wall… Suddenly his left hand slipped from the slippery wall leaving him with only his right hand hanging to a tie bar. The sudden force exerted on one side of his body almost made shout out in pain. He tried to get a hold of the wall with his left hand. Swinging like this was excruciating, but he had to try, he had to get out. Finally he found a small ridge just to his left. He took a quick few breaths and climbed further. It was not far to the top now. Carefully scanning the surrounding walls for guards he raised himself on the wall. When he lowered himself down the outer wall and dropped himself on the grass outside he couldn't feel more relieved. He was free again.
He had traveled about half a mile when he heard alarm bells going off. His escape was discovered.