Mikey's heart raced as he crouched behind the crate, listening to the guards getting closer. Panic surged through him. He had messed up, and now everyone was in danger because of his absent-mindedness. He peeked out again, and the guards were spreading out, flashlights swinging around the dark warehouse.
"Check over there!" one of the guards shouted, pointing toward the area where Gregor and Sarah had gone. Mikey felt a wave of fear wash over him. They could be caught if he didn't act fast.
He glanced around, searching for a way out. The warehouse was a maze of crates and shadows, but he couldn't just sit here and wait. He had to warn Gregor and Sarah. Taking a deep breath, he ducked low and moved quietly toward the back of the warehouse, staying close to the wall.
Just then, he spotted Gregor and Sarah peeking around another crate. Mikey waved frantically, trying to get their attention without making a sound. They looked at him, confusion on their faces. He motioned for them to come over.
"Mikey!" Gregor whispered harshly. "What are you doing? We need to get out of here!"
"I know! But the guards are coming this way. We need to move!" Mikey replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Before they could respond, a loud crash echoed through the warehouse. Mikey's heart dropped. The guards had knocked over a stack of crates, making a massive noise. They were getting closer, and time was running out.
"Go! Now!" Mikey urged, pointing toward a side door he could see in the dim light.
The three of them sprinted toward the door, adrenaline pumping through their veins. Mikey could hear the guards shouting, their footsteps growing louder behind them. He pushed the door open, and they burst through, entering a narrow alleyway outside the warehouse.
The cool night air hit them, but there was no time to breathe. They ran down the alley, glancing back to see if anyone was following. Mikey's legs felt like jelly, but he pushed himself to keep going.
"Turn left!" Sarah shouted, and they rounded the corner, hoping to lose their pursuers.
They dashed into a nearby street, weaving through parked cars and shadows. Mikey could hear the sound of boots pounding on the pavement behind them. The guards were close, and the thought made his stomach churn.
"Over there!" Gregor pointed to a narrow path between two buildings.
Without hesitating, they ducked into the alley. The walls were high, and the darkness felt suffocating. Mikey glanced behind them, his heart racing as he heard voices shouting, echoing through the night.
"Keep moving!" Sarah urged, pushing them forward.
They scrambled through the alley, finally reaching a dead end. Mikey felt panic rise again. "What now?" he gasped, looking around for any way out.
"Climb!" Gregor said, pointing to a low wall at the end of the alley. "We can get over this!"
Without thinking, they scrambled up the wall, fingers gripping the rough surface. Mikey felt his heart pounding in his ears as he climbed. He could hear the guards getting closer, their voices filled with frustration.
"Don't stop!" Sarah shouted, pulling herself over the wall.
Mikey reached the top, swinging his leg over and dropping down on the other side. He landed hard, but the adrenaline coursing through him made him ignore the pain. Gregor and Sarah followed quickly, and they all crouched down, trying to catch their breath.
"We need to keep moving before they find us," Mikey said, glancing back toward the alley.
They started running again, this time heading toward a nearby park. The trees provided cover, and they dashed into the darkness, feeling the weight of the night closing in around them.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they stopped behind a tree, panting heavily. Mikey leaned against the trunk, trying to steady his breathing.
"Did we lose them?" Gregor asked, scanning the area.
"I think so," Mikey replied, his heart still racing.
They stayed quiet for a moment, listening for any signs of the guards. The night was eerily silent, and the tension hung in the air like a thick fog.
"Dude, that was close," Sarah said, breaking the silence. "What were you thinking back there?"
Mikey looked down, shame washing over him. "I don't know… I just got distracted. I'm sorry."
"Just focus next time," Gregor said, his tone firm but not unkind. "We can't afford any mistakes. This was too close."
"Yeah, I get it," Mikey replied, feeling the weight of his friend's words. He needed to step up, not just for himself, but for all of them.
As they finally started to walk away from the park, Mikey promised himself he wouldn't let his thoughts wander again. This mission had almost cost them everything, and he couldn't let that happen again.