How do you solve a problem like Maria? Escape...

"Get your f**cking hands off me"

She wrenched her arm from the carer's grip, her hospital gown whirling behind her.
"Calm down Maria", chastised the carer. "You know you aren't allowed down stairs. Not after yesterday." Her voice may have been calm and her body language assertive, but the beads of sweat on her forehead, and the slight shake in her hands, still raised, betrayed the sudden rush of adrenaline hitting her system.

She'd been in this situation before and recognised all the signs in her patient. This had all the hallmarks of turning nasty, just like yesterday's attempted escape. Maria had made it as far as the ambulance bay, the carer in hot pursuit, before being dragged back inside by security, kicking and screaming.

Maria's eyes now burned bright with that same defiance under her furrowed brow and wild tangle of shoulder length hair, assessing her opponent. She needed a smoke like a fish needs water, and no one especially HER was going to stop her. Maria turned, and headed back to her bed space. The carer watched her, her guard relaxing. She didn't see it coming.

Light on her feet, Maria wheeled on the spot and ran, arms outstretched, shoving the carer with all her might. Falling back against the wall, the carer watched helplessly as the doors to the lifts banged shut.