Huff, huff, huff...
My lungs were burning, my throat dry, and my legs felt like they were about to collapse beneath me. I had just sprinted all the way from the forest—branches clawing at my arms, mud clinging to my shoes—until I reached the roadside I had driven on just hours ago.
I collapsed behind one of the tall trees that lined the road and leaned my back against the bark, gasping for air like I'd just finished a marathon. My hands trembled as they gripped the straps of the duffel bag slung over my shoulder. Every breath felt sharp. My cap was sliding into my line of sight, and I yanked it back in frustration—useless thing was more of a blindfold than a disguise at this point.
After a moment, I cautiously peeped around the tree trunk, keeping low, scanning the quiet stretch of road. Nothing moved. The breeze whispered through the trees. Then—there it was.
Parked maybe thirty meters down the slope was a car. A big one.
I crept forward with practiced silence, slipping down the incline step by step until I got a clearer view. It was an SUV—sleek, black, massive, and far more polished than ours. The design was sharper, heavier. The thing looked armored, almost military-grade. The windows were pitch-black, the kind of tint that made you feel watched even when no one was inside.
I crouched behind a nearby shrub, eyes locked on the vehicle. Could someone be inside? Could this be... fate? Or a trap?
"Cher cher—" the walkie crackled on, making my heart jump into my throat.
"Violet, where are you? How far till pick-up point?" Leader's voice sounded tense, rushed.
I fumbled for the talk button, trying not to sound like I was on the verge of a panic attack.
"I'm coming," I said, swallowing hard. "Passed the first gate—be there soon."
I hoped to God I sounded more confident than I felt.
I turned back to the SUV, adrenaline buzzing through my veins. It's now or never, I thought, steeling myself.
I moved quickly toward the driver's side window and knocked. Once. Twice. Nothing.
No movement. No reply.
I hesitated, then tried the handle.
Click.
It opened.
I blinked in disbelief. No way. Not only was the car unlocked—the keys were sitting right there on the driver's seat, practically gift-wrapped for me.
Oh, come on.
This... this had to be a trap. First my laptop dies. Then our original car refuses to start. And now, this? A perfect getaway car dropped into my lap, all shiny and powered-up like something out of a heist movie?
But what could I do? Turn around and go back to the tree? Sit down and cry?
No. I had a mission.
So I slid into the driver's seat.
And wow. This car was nice. Cool air hummed from the vents. The seats were plush leather—wide, smooth, and way too comfortable for something that looked like it belonged to a war general. The steering wheel felt firm, powerful. This thing practically purred beneath me, just waiting to be unleashed.
I tossed the duffel bag onto the seat behind the passenger side and pulled my seat up so I could see the road better. With a quick turn of the key, the engine roared to life like it was born to run. I gripped the wheel and muttered, "Alright, Lillies. Let's see how far you've fallen today."
And with that, I gunned it up the hill.
Fifteen minutes of flooring it later—turning what should've been a thirty-minute journey into a high-speed race—I finally reached the first gate.
It was enormous. A towering double door carved from sandstone, seamlessly connecting to the same wall I saw hours ago—still impossibly tall, still decorated with strange, ancient carvings. I opened my mouth to come up with some excuse in case there was a voice box—
But I didn't even need to.
With a low rumble, the gates began to open on their own. No questions asked.
I didn't wait. I slammed my foot down and sped through before they could change their minds.
Okay... why did that just work? Was this vehicle registered to someone who lived here? Were they expecting it?
It was too perfect. Too smooth.
But I couldn't afford to stop and question it.
The road wound higher, flanked by a blend of green forest and sandy outcrops. The desert kissed the treetops in places, strange and beautiful. I stayed focused, knuckles white on the wheel, until the second gate came into view.
This one was made of solid graphite, reinforced with diamond compression points—sleek and menacing, the kind of gate that whispered no one gets in here without bleeding first. Yet again, the moment I neared it...
It opened.
As if I were welcome.
No. Expected.
I sped through.
Now I started seeing men. Dozens of them. Positioned along the road, hidden in natural-looking alcoves, their postures tense, eyes scanning. All of them armed. Trained. Focused.
And all of them letting me pass.
Who the hell's car am I driving? I thought.
The third gate rose into view, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe.
It was... gorgeous.
Wrought from dark iron, curling into elegant filigree like vines frozen in time. Every inch was art—swirls, leaves, ornamental flourishes, intricate craftsmanship. At the top, a regal crest crowned the arch, flanked by two antique flame-shaped finials. On either side, massive beige stone pillars held the gate in place, etched with subtle horizontal lines. Atop them sat smooth stone orbs, silent guardians of the threshold.
Lanterns glowed from black iron brackets, casting warm golden light across the ironwork as the sky dimmed. The gate didn't just guard—it announced.
And it was wide open.
The road beyond curved and rose again, cutting through manicured gardens and maze-like hedges. Sculptures peeked out between the greenery—marble torsos, winged lions, silent angels. It was surreal.
I slowed down just enough to control the next curve, then—there it was.
The manor.
Built from rich sandstone, the structure glowed like honey under the setting sun. Layers upon layers of arches, hand-carved pillars, grand staircases, and terraces framed the front. In the center, a grand fountain gushed crystalline water into a round basin surrounded by white pebbles and flowerbeds.
It was breathtaking. A palace.
I wonder what it looks like inside... I thought, until I shook my head.
Focus, Walter. Back door.
I made a U-turn down a narrow road behind the manor, keeping a low profile. Guards were everywhere—some patrolling, some standing post. I parked in a blind spot, an area the cameras probably didn't reach, and turned off the engine. Then I waited.
It didn't take long.
The road-hatch opened moments later, and the boys emerged. Their jackets looked stuffed—clearly full of whatever they'd stolen. They spotted the SUV instantly and froze, visibly thrown off.
For a second, I thought they'd go back into the tunnel.
I rolled down the window, flashed the headlights once, and stuck my head out.
"Psst. Over here!" I hissed in a whisper-yell.
Relief flooded their faces. They bolted for the car and threw themselves inside, panting and sweating. Leader dropped into the seat beside me, his face soaked, his expression unreadable.
"Don't talk. Don't explain anything. Just drive."
I nodded, slammed the gas, and we sped off.
Some guards noticed. A few even looked confused. But none of them stopped us. The gates opened—one by one.
And then we were free.
Speeding away, the manor shrinking in the rearview mirror, I couldn't help but think—
Am I really doing this? Am I really getting away with this?
And worse…
What did we just walk into?