The first rays of dawn slipped through the trees, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The cabin felt colder in the early morning light, the night's anxiety lingering in the air. Miel and Jasmine had barely slept, their thoughts tangled in a web of plans and fears. Maxwell, their ever-faithful companion, seemed to sense the tension, sticking close to their sides as they prepared to leave.
Miel stuffed the last of their supplies into a weathered backpack, her movements quick and efficient. "We have to be in and out," she reminded Jasmine, who was securing her own pack. "No detours, no hesitations. We get the money and get out of there."
Jasmine nodded, her expression serious. "I know. We can't afford any more mistakes."
They both knew the risks of returning to the barn. If anyone had discovered their stash, if the police were watching the area, if any number of things had gone wrong—it could all be over in an instant. But they didn't have a choice. Without the money, their chances of disappearing for good were slim to none.
Maxwell, sensing the urgency, stayed close to their heels as they exited the cabin. The crisp morning air bit at their skin, but they didn't linger. Every second counted now.
The drive to the barn was tense. Miel kept her eyes on the road, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. Jasmine scanned the surroundings, every passing car and pedestrian a potential threat. The old truck they were driving rattled and groaned with every bump, as if it too knew it was nearing the end of its usefulness.
"We'll ditch this heap after we get the cash," Miel said, her voice tight. "We'll need something less conspicuous."
Jasmine glanced over at her. "I saw an old sedan parked near that abandoned gas station on the way into town. It looked like it hadn't been touched in years. We could hotwire it, leave this truck behind."
"Good idea," Miel replied. "We'll swing by there after the barn."
As they approached the dirt road leading to the barn, both women fell silent. The narrow path was overgrown with weeds and brush, making the drive slow and treacherous. Every rustle of the undergrowth made their hearts race, as if danger lurked in every shadow.
The barn came into view, a decrepit structure that had seen better days. Its weathered wood was cracked and splintered, the roof sagging under the weight of years of neglect. But to Miel and Jasmine, it represented both a lifeline and a potential death trap.
Miel killed the engine, and they sat in silence for a moment, gathering their resolve. Maxwell whined softly from the back seat, sensing the unease in the air.
"Ready?" Miel asked, her voice low.
"Ready," Jasmine replied, though her heart pounded in her chest.
They exited the truck cautiously, every sense heightened. The morning sun had fully risen now, casting long shadows across the barnyard. It was eerily quiet, the only sound the crunch of gravel under their boots as they approached the barn.
Jasmine pulled open the creaky barn door, its rusted hinges groaning in protest. The interior was dimly lit, dust motes dancing in the shafts of sunlight that pierced through the gaps in the walls. The smell of hay and decay hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the barn's long-abandoned state.
Miel led the way to the corner of the barn where they had hidden the money. The old floorboards creaked under their weight as they knelt down, pulling back the loose planks to reveal the hollowed-out space beneath. A battered duffel bag lay inside, untouched.
Miel reached in and pulled out the bag, unzipping it to check the contents. The stacks of cash were still there, just as they had left them.
"Thank God," Jasmine whispered, relief flooding her voice.
Miel zipped the bag back up and slung it over her shoulder. "Let's get out of here."
But as they turned to leave, a sound from outside the barn froze them in their tracks. Footsteps, crunching through the gravel, approaching the barn door.
Miel and Jasmine exchanged a panicked glance. There was no time to run, no time to hide. Whoever was outside was almost at the door.
Maxwell let out a low growl, his hackles raised as he sensed the approaching danger.
Miel reached for the small handgun tucked into the waistband of her jeans, her heart pounding in her ears. Jasmine did the same, her fingers trembling as she wrapped them around the grip.
The barn door creaked open, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. A figure stepped inside, silhouetted against the bright morning light. Miel's finger hovered over the trigger, ready to defend herself and Jasmine if necessary.
But then the figure spoke, their voice familiar and laced with urgency. "Don't shoot! It's me—Nina."
Miel's grip on the gun loosened slightly, though she didn't lower it. "Nina? What the hell are you doing here?"
Nina stepped further into the barn, her hands raised in a gesture of peace. She was a petite woman, with short-cropped hair and sharp eyes that flicked between Miel and Jasmine. "I could ask you the same thing," she replied, her tone brisk. "But we don't have time for that right now. You're in danger."
Jasmine finally lowered her gun, her expression wary. "What do you mean, 'danger'? How did you find us?"
Nina let out a sigh, running a hand through her hair. "I've been keeping tabs on you two since the heist. I knew you'd come back here eventually. And I'm telling you, the cops are closing in. They've been sniffing around this area for days. If you don't move now, you're done."
Miel's mind raced, trying to process what Nina was saying. They hadn't seen Nina since before the heist, and her sudden appearance now was both a shock and a complication they hadn't anticipated.
"Why should we trust you?" Miel asked, her voice cold. "How do we know you're not leading them right to us?"
Nina rolled her eyes, her patience clearly wearing thin. "If I wanted to turn you in, I would've done it by now. I'm here because I want to help you. But you need to make a decision—fast."
Jasmine exchanged a look with Miel, the unspoken question hanging between them. Could they trust Nina? Was she here to help, or was this some kind of trap?
Miel weighed the options in her mind, but the sound of distant sirens made the decision for her. "Fine," she said, lowering her gun completely. "We'll go with you. But if you try anything—"
"You won't have to worry about that," Nina interrupted, already moving toward the barn door. "We don't have much time. Follow me."
Reluctantly, Miel and Jasmine followed Nina out of the barn, Maxwell trotting at their heels. The sirens were getting closer now, their wail piercing through the quiet morning air.
Nina led them to a beat-up sedan parked just out of sight behind a thicket of trees. "Get in," she ordered, sliding into the driver's seat.
Miel and Jasmine exchanged one last glance before climbing into the backseat, the duffel bag full of cash wedged between them. Maxwell jumped in after them, settling in the small space at their feet.
As Nina started the engine and sped off down the dirt road, Miel's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Trusting Nina was a gamble—a risk they couldn't afford to take lightly. But with the police closing in and their options dwindling, they had no choice but to take the chance.
The road ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and the possibility of betrayal. But for now, they were still free, still together, and still determined to survive.
And as the old sedan roared down the highway, leaving the barn and the life they had known far behind, Miel knew one thing for sure: There was no turning back now.