"Please give it to my bodyguard," Daniel managed to say calmly, though he could feel the rush of adrenaline causing everything inside him to tremble. The nurse accepted the package with surprise and obediently handed it to Maxim, who emerged, echoing.

"You left your documents at reception."

Maxim, shooting an angry glance at Daniel, accepted the package without bothering to inspect its contents. Daniel concealed his trembling hands in the pockets of his jeans, furrowing his brow with concern, worried that his tense, pale expression might betray him. He cleared his throat nervously and asked in a shaky voice.

"What's now?"

"I was instructed to take you to museums," Maxim stated coldly, clearly anticipating Daniel's outrage. However, Daniel remained composed - hiding in a museum would have been easy. The real challenge was getting the money for a ticket. As he walked alongside Maxim toward the exit, Daniel pondered intensely. 

He could purchase a ticket with cash and fly anywhere, even Europe, for instance. There, he could reach out to Alice and ask for the money needed to return home. Yes, that seemed like the logical course of action. Besides, hypothetically, a ticket to Europe shouldn't be too expensive, which offered some relief. Despite the tightness in his chest from fear and anticipation of imminent freedom, his mind raced feverishly - where could he get the necessary amount? 

In the car, Daniel timidly inquired, "Could I buy a tablet?"

"Yes, but without a SIM card," Maxim responded promptly, then paused before asking in surprise, "What do you need it for?"

"To draw," Daniel replied, staring tensely out the window, avoiding eye contact to avoid revealing his intentions. "The therapist suggested it for stress relief. I used to paint before."

The idea to get money suddenly struck him. A high-quality drawing tablet would be expensive enough, if he returned it, to buy a plane ticket. It might not be enough for a ticket to the US, but it would get him to a closer foreign destination.

"Would an iPad work?" Maxim asked hesitantly, prompting Daniel to exhale a brief sigh of relief, feeling more at ease.

"It'll work. If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to purchase one before we head to the museums," Daniel replied.

"Lyosha, stop by a mall on the way. I believe there was a Troika nearby, but I'm not sure if they sell iPads there..." Maxim grumbled discontentedly. He appeared irritated by the prospect of having to accompany Daniel.

"You can opt for another tablet, not necessarily an iPad," Daniel interjected quickly. "The important thing is that it has a stylus and a large screen."

"All right," Maxim exhaled a warmer breath, his demeanor softening.

At Troika, there was no iPad available, but they did have the latest model of the Xencelabs Pen for forty-eight thousand rubles. Daniel swallowed nervously, feeling his palms grow moist with tension. It was crucial to obtain the receipt for the purchase to be able to return it later on. Maxim, satisfied that they didn't need to search for another tablet, flashed a playful smile at the attractive saleswoman. 

She, reciprocating his interest, flirtatiously batted her eyelashes and described the advantages of the purchase in a seductive voice, leisurely wrapping the box in a bag. It seemed as though luck was finally on his side. Maxim typically maintained his focus, projecting the image of a formidable and determined warrior: compact in stature yet solidly built, radiating an aura of strength. There was no point in attempting to challenge him; Maxim could easily overpower with a single blow.

Daniel intercepted the bag containing the tablet, which the saleswoman had intended for Maxim, and smoothly slipped the receipt inside in a seemingly natural motion. Maxim looked at him with slight surprise, puzzled by Daniel's action, but he didn't protest.

Once in the car, Daniel placed the precious package on his lap, conveying his reluctance to part with it. With an air of casual indifference, he asked, "Which museum is nearby?"

"I'm just checking," Maxim frowned, swiping the screen. "There's a transportation museum nearby. But it's rather dull there."

"That's fine," Daniel hastily replied. "Any museum is interesting."

This particular museum held particular interest due to its proximity to the mall, making it convenient for a quick visit to return the tablet. The potential money weighed heavily on Daniel's mind; his knees felt as though they were burning, and excitement left his mouth dry. He must have appeared pale, as Maxim asked with concern.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Quite well. Sometimes, you know, I experience pre-panic states. They're becoming natural for me now, as the psychotherapist explained," Daniel reassured him. "Don't worry, it'll pass soon." He retrieved a bottle of water from the compartment between them, hastily unscrewing the cap and taking a long gulp.

Maxim mumbled uncertainly and, after a pause, added, "If it worsens, let me know. We can always return to the apartment."

"I don't believe it will. I think I'll feel better at the museum," Daniel responded, choking on his water in alarm. Escaping from the apartment seemed impossible: not only was Maxim, or his replacement Oleg, vigilantly stationed in the living room, but there was also a guard posted in the foyer on the ground floor. Furthermore, if Daniel remained in the apartment, Maxim would eventually discover the missing passport among the documents. No, his only chance of escape lay in a public place, preferably one with a series of interconnected halls that he could navigate to escape.

Forty minutes later, Daniel found himself engrossed in studying a bulky piece of Soviet automobile equipment, feigning exaggerated interest while clutching the bag containing the tablet. If Maxim was surprised by Daniel's reluctance to part with his recent purchase, he didn't show it. Perhaps he decided it was best not to disturb the sudden fondness Daniel had developed for the new gadget. Silently trailing behind Daniel, Maxim displayed genuine enthusiasm as he observed the Chaikas, Volgas, and ZILs on display. It was evident that he was enjoying the museum visit.

Meanwhile, Daniel pretended to examine the massive front grille of a ZIL-158 while covertly assessing the nearby fire alarm button situated a few meters away on the wall. If he could distract Maxim momentarily and press the button, it might provide a viable means of escape without needing to channel his inner Usain Bolt. Fortunately, nearby stood a group of bored schoolchildren on a field trip, who would likely cause the necessary commotion. They would undoubtedly begin to fuss excitedly, paying little attention to their alarmed teachers. This was precisely the opportunity Daniel had been waiting for.

"The text is too complex," Daniel complained, studying the technical specifications of the ZIL. "Perhaps there's an audio guide available in English?"

"You're fluent in Russian," Maxim chided, scanning the area for the museum curator.

"Technical vocabulary wasn't part of my Russian language studies," Daniel interjected, his gaze fixed on the sign as if he were eager to decipher their contents.

"Fair enough," Maxim conceded, giving up. "Let's head to the exit; they should be located there."

"Alternatively, we could give the money to the museum attendant, and she could bring it to us," Daniel cautiously suggested.

"Hm," Maxim hesitated momentarily before striding purposefully toward the attendant, retrieving his wallet as he went. Daniel exhaled deeply, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans, and walked slowly and inconspicuously toward the fire alarm button. Once beside it, he flashed a crooked smile at Maxim, who gave him a pointed look. As Maxim turned his attention to the attendant, Daniel swiftly tore off the plastic flap and pressed the button. 

The piercing sound of the alarm heightened Daniel's inner anxiety to its peak, propelling him from his position into a frantic sprint. With nimble agility, Daniel skillfully outpaced the flustered teachers, darted into the crowd of children, and raced toward the hall exit, his breath shallow and ragged from the stress.

He sprinted, sensing Maxim's strong grip almost as if it were still on his shoulder. Fearful of turning around to check, he didn't waste a moment glancing back. "Hurry!" he urged himself, fidgeting at the museum entrance as he recalled where Artem had parked. Once he remembered, he dashed in the opposite direction, scanning for the telltale yellow spots of cabs. Spotting a young family exiting one, with a scolding aimed at a sulking ten-year-old boy, Daniel rushed into the cab, inadvertently pushing past the father in his haste. The man yelled something angrily, but Daniel couldn't make out the words over his own frantic shouting to the cabbie.

"To the Troika shopping center, quickly!"

"I have an order," the cab driver began, but upon encountering Daniel's frantic gaze, he obediently merged onto the road. Daniel laughed nervously, the sound rattling in his throat. And then what? How do I pay for the cab? He patted his pockets helplessly, though he knew he didn't have a single bill. Exhaustion washed over him, replacing the fading adrenaline with a numb emptiness. His breathing steadied, and his thoughts cleared. 

Suddenly, Daniel's eyes snapped open. They landed on the glowing display of his Fitbit, given to him on the first day of his physical when the therapist advised him to monitor his skyrocketing heart rate due to nerves. It proved to be useful now, plus its GPS feature was very unnecessary at the moment. With mischievous fingers, Daniel unbuckled the silicone strap, clutching the watch tightly in his hands as he stared ahead blankly. Now Maxim could track his location. So be it. After all, Maxim likely already had an idea of where Daniel might be. Time was ticking away, with minutes slipping through his fingers. Though... there was still a chance that Maxim could search the museum for him. That is, if luck remained on Daniel's side, as it had thus far.

The taxi driver grumbled as he accepted the "payment," but didn't make a fuss. Daniel hurried to the shopping center, recalling the location of the electronics store. The saleswoman startled at the sight of him, but quickly composed herself, disappointed that his companion was absent. She begrudgingly processed the return, muttering about the protocol for returning card payments. Daniel, repeating that he needed to hurry for an important meeting, smiled nervously and pleaded with her. Eventually, she relented. He hastily collected the money without counting it and dashed towards the exit. Now he needed to head to Sheremetyevo, where most international flights departed from.

In the taxi, Daniel sank into the seat. His hands trembled, his mouth felt dry and sour, and a pounding headache began to throb in his temples. However, he had accomplished the most significant and challenging part of his escape. The next steps were expected to be simpler: buy a ticket for the first available international flight, board the plane, and that would be it - freedom awaited him from this point forward. 

Even if Alexander concocted another criminal case and initiated legal proceedings against him, it would still be easier for him in his homeland. He would attend court, file a countersuit, do whatever was necessary to avoid falling into that trap again. Even better, he would take proactive measures, striking first while no case stood against him, and ensuring the old one was expunged from the records of history. As long as he remained untainted before the law, with only evidence of time served, he could prove his innocence, demonstrating that he was falsely accused, incarcerated, and then forcibly removed from prison for sexual coercion.

 Simultaneously, he would approach the media to amplify his story. Although this action might harm his future career, it would offer him some protection. Alternatively, he might face a defamation lawsuit. If only there were evidence against Alexander - perhaps a recording, anything at all...