The morning came too quickly, the light of dawn creeping through the thin curtains of the motel room. Miel woke to find Jasmine already up, sitting by the window with a distant look in her eyes. The events of the past few weeks had aged them both, and the weight of everything they had done hung heavily in the air.
"Morning," Miel said softly, sitting up and stretching. Her body ached from the tension and stress, but there was no time to dwell on it. They had to keep moving.Jasmine turned to her, offering a small, weary smile. "Morning."Nina was already awake as well, packing up the few belongings they had. She looked over at Miel and Jasmine, her expression unreadable. "We should get going soon," she said. "The safe house isn't far, but we don't want to linger here."Miel nodded, feeling the familiar anxiety begin to build in her chest. They had been running for so long, and the idea of finding a place to finally rest, even for a little while, was almost too much to hope for.They left the motel quietly, slipping out before the sun was fully up. The town was still asleep, the streets empty as they drove away, leaving behind another temporary refuge.The drive to the safe house was tense, the silence in the car heavy with unspoken fears. Miel couldn't shake the feeling that they were heading toward something inevitable, that no matter how far they ran, they couldn't escape the consequences of their actions.When they finally arrived, the safe house was exactly as Nina had described—small, remote, and hidden away from the prying eyes of the world. It was nestled deep in the woods, surrounded by towering trees that seemed to guard it from the outside world.They stood in the dim light of the safe house, the air thick with anticipation as they unloaded their bags. After a long day of traveling, Miel, Jasmine, and Nina finally arrived at their temporary refuge. The walls were sturdy, the windows barred, and the atmosphere felt like a cocoon—a protective shell against the chaos outside."Let's get settled in," Nina said, her voice breaking the silence as she started to unpack her things. Miel and Jasmine followed suit, the three of them working together to organize their supplies and make the space feel a bit more like home.As they moved about the small living area, Miel stole glances at Jasmine, who was busy folding clothes and arranging their belongings. There was something mesmerizing about the way she concentrated, her brow slightly furrowed, and her lips curved into a soft smile whenever she caught Miel's eye.Once they had everything unpacked, Nina suggested they take a moment to relax before dinner. "I'll whip up something simple," she said, heading to the kitchen area. Miel could hear the clinking of pots and pans as Nina busied herself."Want to help?" Miel asked Jasmine, leaning against the counter, her heart racing at the thought of being alone with her.Jasmine shook her head playfully. "I'm more of a taste-tester than a cook," she replied with a grin, stepping closer to Miel. The space was small, and their bodies brushed against each other, sending a jolt of electricity through Miel."Fair enough," Miel said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But I could use some help with the taste-testing."Jasmine's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh really? I think I can manage that."They both moved to the kitchen, where Nina was stirring a pot on the stove. Miel and Jasmine stood side by side, stealing glances at each other, their shoulders touching. The warmth of their connection was palpable, and Miel felt the tension building between them."Just a moment," Nina said, glancing back at them. "I need to grab something from the pantry."As soon as Nina turned her back, Miel seized the opportunity. She leaned in closer to Jasmine, her breath ghosting over Jasmine's ear. "You know, I've been thinking about this moment all day," she said softly.Jasmine turned to face Miel, her expression shifting from playful to serious. "What do you mean?"Miel took a step closer, their bodies almost touching. "Being here with you, away from everything... it feels like we can finally breathe."Before Jasmine could respond, Miel captured her lips in a heated kiss. It was soft at first, but the urgency of their emotions quickly took over. Jasmine melted against her, deepening the kiss as they lost themselves in the moment.Just then, Nina returned, her presence breaking the spell. "Hey, I—" She stopped, raising an eyebrow at the sight of them. "I'll give you two a moment. Dinner's almost ready."With a teasing smile, Nina stepped back into the other room, leaving Miel and Jasmine alone once more. The air was thick with unspoken desire, and Miel took a chance, pulling Jasmine closer by her waist."Let's not waste this moment," Miel whispered, her voice low and sultry.Jasmine's breath hitched, her eyes darkening with longing. "I don't want to waste it either."They moved together, their lips crashing again as Miel pressed Jasmine against the cool countertop. The kiss ignited a fire within them, and Miel's hands slid up Jasmine's sides, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath her shirt. Jasmine responded in kind, her fingers tangling in Miel's hair, pulling her closer, deeper.The world outside faded away, leaving only the two.The safe house was a modest cabin, weathered and worn but standing firm amidst the thick canopy of trees. Moss clung to the roof, and the windows were small, offering only a sliver of the outside world. As they pulled up to it, Miel felt an eerie sense of calm wash over her. It was far removed from the chaos they had left behind—remote enough to offer a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, they could find refuge here.Nina stepped out first, scanning the surroundings. She was cautious, always alert, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow as if expecting something—or someone—to emerge from the woods."This place is secure," Nina said, breaking the silence. "It's been off the radar for years. No one's gonna find us here unless we give ourselves away."Miel nodded, grateful for Nina's steady hand in all of this. Trust was still a fragile thing between them, but Nina had proven herself more than once. She was a survivor, just like them, and in a way, that bond was stronger than any friendship.Jasmine stood by the car, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her face unreadable. Miel could sense her unease, the way her eyes flicked to the trees, as if searching for something just beyond the horizon."It's okay," Miel whispered, stepping closer. She reached for Jasmine's hand, her fingers lightly grazing her skin. "We're safe here. Just for a while."Jasmine met her gaze, her dark eyes clouded with exhaustion. "Safe, huh?" she murmured. "I don't even know what that feels like anymore."Miel's heart twisted at the bitterness in Jasmine's voice. She wanted to say something, to reassure her, but the truth was, she didn't know if they'd ever be truly safe again. Every step forward seemed to lead them into deeper shadows, and no amount of running could erase what they had done."Let's get inside," Nina called from the front door of the cabin. "We need to settle in before we talk next moves."The three of them grabbed what little belongings they had and made their way inside. The cabin smelled faintly of damp wood, but it was surprisingly clean. There was a small living area with a fireplace, a kitchen with outdated appliances, and two bedrooms down a narrow hallway. It wasn't much, but it was enough.Maxwell padded in behind them, his paws softly clicking against the wooden floor. He sniffed around, wagging his tail slightly, seeming to relax now that they were no longer on the move."I'll take the couch," Nina offered, tossing her bag down on the worn cushions. "You two can have the bedrooms. But we need to be smart about this. We can't all sleep at the same time—someone has to keep watch, especially tonight."Miel didn't argue. It was something they had grown used to—living in a constant state of vigilance. There was no time to relax, not yet."I'll take first watch," Miel volunteered, though her body ached for rest. She could tell Jasmine needed it more, and Nina's sharp eyes had already begun to droop."You sure?" Jasmine asked, her voice soft but heavy with concern.Miel nodded. "I'll be fine. You go get some sleep."Jasmine hesitated for a moment, as if she wanted to argue, but then sighed and disappeared down the hallway toward the bedroom.Once Nina had settled on the couch and Jasmine was out of sight, Miel made her way to the front door and opened it just a crack. The cool night air rushed in, and she stood there for a long moment, listening to the rustle of the trees and the distant call of nocturnal creatures.Her thoughts wandered back to the beginning of this journey, to the day they decided to take that desperate leap into a life of crime. The heist had been more than just about the money; it had been a chance to break free from the invisible chains of their former lives, a way to grasp at the kind of freedom they could never have in the confines of society. But it had come at a cost—one they were still paying.And Jasmine... Jasmine had once been her anchor, the one who kept her steady through it all. But now, there was something broken between them, a crack that seemed to widen with every step they took. Miel didn't know how to fix it, and that scared her more than the threat of being caught."Miel?" Jasmine's voice cut through the night, soft and hesitant. She appeared in the doorway, arms wrapped around herself as she leaned against the frame."Hey," Miel said, turning to face her. "I thought you were sleeping.""I couldn't," Jasmine admitted, stepping outside to join her. She stood beside Miel, staring out into the dark woods. "Too much on my mind."They stood in silence for a while, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Miel wanted to reach for Jasmine, to pull her close and remind her that they were still in this together, no matter what. But something held her back—their connection, once so effortless, now felt frayed at the edges."I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this," Jasmine finally whispered, her voice barely audible.Miel's heart sank. "What do you mean?"Jasmine's eyes flicked toward her, filled with a kind of sadness Miel hadn't seen before. "I mean... running. Hiding. Being on edge every second of every day. I'm not sure how much more I can take."Miel swallowed hard, her throat tightening. She had known Jasmine was struggling, but hearing her say it out loud made it all too real. "I know it's hard," Miel said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "But we're almost there, Jas. We just need a little more time."Jasmine shook her head, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I'm scared, Miel. I'm scared of losing myself... of losing you."Miel's chest tightened. She reached out, gently wiping the tear from Jasmine's face. "You're not going to lose me," she whispered. "I'm right here. We'll figure this out."Jasmine's eyes searched Miel's, as if looking for a promise Miel wasn't sure she could keep. "I hope you're right," Jasmine whispered, her voice trembling.Miel pulled her into an embrace, holding her close as they stood in the doorway, the cold night air wrapping around them like a shroud. In that moment, Miel wished she could stop time—freeze the world around them so they could just be. No running, no fear, just them.But she knew that wasn't possible. The world was still moving, and so were the forces chasing them. They couldn't stop, not yet. But for now, in the quiet of the night, they held on to each other, hoping it would be enough.---As the night stretched on, Miel eventually let Jasmine return to the bedroom, where she finally found sleep. Alone again in the quiet of the cabin, Miel's thoughts spiraled. She knew they couldn't keep this up forever. Eventually, they'd have to stop running, or the life they were fighting so hard to keep together would crumble.The next steps loomed large in her mind. The safe house would only be a temporary solution. The real question was, could they ever outrun the consequences of their actions, or was the life they once dreamed of slipping further from reach with every choice they made?And as Miel stood watch, the weight of that question pressed down on her, heavier than anything else they'd carried so far.