title: The Escape Artist (Quattro Fiction)
author: Anita Kushwaha
description: Anita Kushwaha grew up in Aylmer, Quebec. She has a passion for writing and research. Her work as a Cultural Geographer has taken her to some of the most beautiful communities in Canadas North. When she isnt at her writing desk, she enjoys teaching yoga and losing herself in a good book. Writing has been her chosen method of self-expression from a young age. She lives in Ottawa with her husband and cat.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  escape artist
  
  
  Tak reaches into the case and twists the first knob one click to the right.
  This causes the green light to brighten and a small humming sound to emanate
  from somewhere deep inside the device. He twists the second knob three times,
  the third knob once, and the fourth knob twice. With each click, the humming
  grows louder and more furious. Each turn produces a slightly different tone,
  and when Tak finishes, the end result is a chord of almost terrible beauty.
  
  
  The musical chord rings out with new fury as the device powers up. Just before
  it reaches fever pitch, Tak wipes his fingers on his pants, places them on
  either side of the round glass panel, and waits. He’s more nervous than he’s
  been in a long time, but also excited. If it works, it’s gonna be one hell of
  a surprise to everyone involved. And if it doesn’t…Well, at least he’ll
  finally know what it’s like to fall to his death.
  
  
  The light turns blinding. His fingers begin to stretch across the surf