The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of pine and damp earth as Miel, Jasmine, and Nina prepared for the day ahead. Sunlight streamed through the cabin windows, illuminating their determined expressions as they gathered around the table once more, now filled with a sense of urgency.
"Today's the day," Miel said, her voice firm as she glanced at the notes spread across the table. "We need to make contact with Derek and set our plan in motion."
Jasmine took a deep breath, her fingers tapping nervously against the surface. "Do you think he'll even be willing to talk to us? It's been a while since we last connected."
"He has to be," Miel replied, pushing a stray hair behind her ear. "He's savvy enough to know that information is power, especially in a situation like this. If he thinks we're in danger, he might even be inclined to help."
Nina, seated across from them, pulled out the burner phone they had set up the night before. "I'll make the call. It's best if we don't all reach out at once. If Simon is watching, I don't want to give him any reason to suspect we're up to something."
Miel nodded in agreement. "Let's do it then. Jasmine and I will keep an eye on the perimeter while you make the call. We need to ensure we're not being followed or watched."
As they prepared to execute their plan, the tension in the cabin grew thick. Miel's heart raced with anticipation; the stakes were higher than ever, and failure was not an option. She had already lost so much, and she wouldn't let Simon take anything else from her.
Nina stood up, clutching the phone tightly. "I'll go outside to make the call. That way, I'll have more privacy." She stepped out onto the porch, leaving Miel and Jasmine to watch her closely.
"What if Simon finds out?" Jasmine whispered, her gaze scanning the trees surrounding the cabin. "We're taking such a huge risk."
"We have to take risks to get out of this mess," Miel replied, her tone resolute. "Nina's right; we need information. The sooner we know what Simon is planning, the better prepared we'll be."
Minutes felt like hours as they waited, the silence broken only by the rustle of leaves and distant birdsong. Miel's mind raced with the possibilities, each one more daunting than the last.
Finally, Nina returned, a cautious look on her face. "He agreed to meet," she said, her voice low. "But he wants to do it at the diner tonight. He said it's important to talk in person."
"Good," Miel replied, trying to mask her own anxiety. "At least we have a plan in place. Now we need to set up our diversion."
Jasmine looked at the clock, calculating their time. "We still have several hours before we meet him. Let's get everything ready. We need to make sure Simon thinks we're still playing his game."
"Right," Nina said, her voice firming with newfound determination. "We can use social media to spread rumors about a big deal going down tonight at the diner. If we play it right, Simon will think we're trying to double-cross him."
Miel felt a surge of adrenaline at the thought. "That'll keep him distracted. We can slip in and out without him noticing."
As they worked to craft their fake online presence, Miel felt the weight of their plan settling in her stomach. Each click of the keyboard was a reminder of the risks they were taking, but she pushed the fear aside. This was their chance to take control of their fate.
Hours flew by as they posted their carefully crafted messages, drawing attention to the diner and the supposed meeting that would take place. Miel felt the tension rise as the clock ticked closer to their meeting time.
As evening approached, they prepared for their next steps. Miel changed into a casual outfit that blended in with the diner's usual crowd, opting for a simple black hoodie and jeans. Jasmine and Nina followed suit, each donning attire that would help them remain inconspicuous.
"Remember, the goal is to remain unnoticed," Miel reminded them as they gathered by the door. "If Simon shows up, we need to keep our heads down and act like we belong there. Once we gather intel from Derek, we can reassess."
"Got it," Jasmine said, her eyes bright with determination. "Let's do this."
They stepped out into the cool evening air, the sun setting behind the trees, casting long shadows across the ground. Miel's heart raced as they made their way to the diner, adrenaline coursing through her veins.
When they arrived, the diner was buzzing with activity. Locals chatted over coffee, the clatter of dishes mingling with laughter and the smell of greasy food wafting through the air. Miel scanned the room, looking for Derek's familiar face amidst the crowd.
"There he is," Nina whispered, pointing toward a booth in the back corner where Derek sat, nursing a cup of coffee. He looked older than she remembered, but his sharp gaze was still unmistakable.
"Stay close," Miel said, leading Jasmine and Nina toward the booth. "Let's hope he's willing to help us."
As they approached, Miel could feel the tension building in her chest. Derek looked up, surprise flashing across his face before he quickly masked it with a grin. "Well, well, if it isn't my favorite troublemakers," he said, gesturing for them to sit.
"Thanks for meeting us, Derek," Miel said, keeping her voice steady. "We really need your help."
Derek's expression shifted, the humor fading as he leaned in. "I heard you were in a bit of a bind. What's going on?"
Before Miel could respond, she caught sight of movement at the diner's entrance. Her heart sank as she recognized the familiar silhouette—Simon was there, scanning the room with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine.
"Shit, it's him," Miel hissed, her eyes wide.
"Stay calm," Nina whispered urgently, her hand gripping Miel's arm. "We can't let him see us."
Miel turned her attention back to Derek, trying to maintain her composure. "We've got some serious problems, and we need to know what Simon's planning. He won't stop until he finds us."
Derek's brow furrowed as he glanced over Miel's shoulder. "You're in more danger than I thought," he said quietly. "But if he's here, we need to move fast."
"Right," Miel said, her mind racing. "What do you know?"
"Let's step outside," Derek suggested, his tone urgent. "It's not safe to talk here. I'll fill you in on what I know, but you need to be careful. Simon has eyes everywhere."
As they rose from the booth, Miel felt a mix of fear and determination. They were on the brink of uncovering crucial information, but now, with Simon in the diner, they had to tread carefully.
As they moved toward the exit, Miel glanced back at Simon, who was still surveying the room, his eyes narrowing as they met hers. In that moment, Miel knew they were running out of time.
"Let's go," she urged, pushing through the door into the cool night air.
With Derek leading the way, they slipped out into the shadows, hearts pounding in their chests, aware that danger was closing in around them.