Since the stages are often divided up into separate maps, you find yourself transitioning from one part to the other. If you are being chased by a guard, never leave the map and come back expecting everything to be normal. The guard chasing you will still be there and alerted to your presence. Always make an effort to hide in the same map you are to avoid forgetting that a guard (or party of guards) are waiting for you on the next map.

The map transitions are a good place to hide (they are almost always completely dark). Simply go into the map transition and decline to go into the next section. Garrett will stay in the murky, smoky portal and almost always out of the way of all patrols.