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Nikki yanked on the handle of her rollaboard, slung her notably lighter than usual laptop bag over her shoulder and left the room She crossed the suite slowly and quietly Opened one of the doors and slipped through it

She was only two steps down the reeted her

He gave her an easy (and nonjudge as he inquired, “May I, miss?”

She allowed hi staircase In between the two artistically curving structures was a gorgeous Christround floor to the second-level littery white twinkle lights

Nikki chose not to consider it was the holiday season and she was spending it with no family

Rather, she remained focused on her new mission

As they headed to the door, however, she heard the tapping of hard-soled slippers on thetoward her

And then Mads called out, “Dr Kane! You can’t leave just yet! It’s Christmas Eve—we have the family tree to decorate and all these tamales to eat and—”

Emotion instantly welled within Nikki

She stared at the double doors of the entryway, mere feet from her

Her escape was close at hand So close

Tears pooled in her eyes and her nose burned

Come on, she told herself

You have a clean break here

Go, Nikki