Far from safety.
knife in their hand, its blade catching the flickering light.
"Not so fast, kids," the figure said, stepping closer. "You're not the only ones with plans tonight."
Laura's heart sank, the smirk on the figure's face twisting her stomach into knots. "Who are you?" she demanded, trying to sound more defiant than she felt.
"Just a friend of McAllister's," they replied, dripping with sarcasm. "But I'd say I'm more of an opportunist. And right now, I see two opportunities standing right in front of me."
Markson shifted, ready to push past the figure, but Laura tightened her grip on his arm. "Wait," she whispered. "What do you want?"
"Simple," the figure said, still grinning. "You two are pawns in a much bigger game. And I'm feeling generous. If you want to escape, you'll have to make a deal with me."
Ha! What deal would this person demand, would it be worse than McAllister's?
"We don't have time for games!" Markson snapped, his frustration boiling over. "The police are on their way!"
"Exactly," the figure replied, their tone shifting from playful to serious. "And that's why you need me. I can help you get out. But first, I need something in return."
Laura exchanged a glance with Markson, uncertainty etched on their faces. They were already in a precarious situation, and now this shadowy figure was offering them a lifeline—but at what cost?
"What do you want?" Laura asked, steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.
"McAllister's plans," the figure said, leaning closer. "I know you've overheard enough to be of use to me. Help me take him down, and I'll ensure you both get out of here alive."
Laura's mind raced. The enormity of the decision weighed heavily on her. Trust this stranger, or risk facing McAllister's wrath and the impending police?
"Why should we trust you?" Markson asked, skepticism evident in his tone. "You're working with McAllister!"
"True, but I'm tired of being a cog in his machine," the figure replied, their eyes narrowing. "He'll throw me under the bus the moment it suits him. Help me, and I promise you a way out."
Just then, the sound of heavy boots echoed closer, and
the figure's expression hardened, the playful demeanor fading into something more calculating. "Time's running out," they whispered urgently, glancing over their shoulder. "You need to decide, and you need to decide now."
Laura's heart raced, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. The shadowy figure's offer was tantalizing, yet the risk felt monumental. "What if we refuse?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
"Then you'll be caught," the figure replied, their tone cold and unyielding. "And McAllister won't show you mercy. He'll make sure you regret ever crossing him."
Markson shifted uneasily, in murmuring . "And if we agree? What is to stop you from turning on us as soon as we help you?"
The figure's eyes flashed with a mix of irritation and sincerity. "Because I'm not the real enemy here. McAllister is. I may have my own agenda, but it's aligned with yours for the moment. Trust me, I have no love for that man."
The sound of boots drew closer still, and Laura felt the ground beneath her shift. The stakes were rising, and the tension in the air was almost palpable. She could see the flicker of fear in Markson's eyes, mirroring her own internal struggle. Markson regretted signing that deal with McAllister.
"What do you have in mind?" Laura finally asked, steadier now.
"Take me now to the documents you found," the figure replied, low but urgent. "I know where McAllister keeps his plans hidden. If we can get those, I'll make sure you two get away clean."
"Documents?" Markson echoed incredulously. "We don't have anything—"
"Don't try to play with me," the figure said, cutting him off. "I know you've actually seen something. You wouldn't be here if you hadn't. Now, do we have a deal, or do I need to make this more persuasive?"
The sound of the approaching boots grew louder, and Laura felt her pulse quicken. She glanced at Markson, who was wrestling with the decision. He took a deep breath, then nodded slightly in agreement, though not too sure about it. "Fine. We'll help you, but if this goes south, we're not taking the fall for you."
Ha! Don't they seem to be close to safety now? But that isn't true. They are very far from it.
To be continued.....