The morning sun filtered through the narrow alleyways of Prague, casting elongated shadows that danced across the cobblestones. Cassie stood at the edge of the courtyard, her mind racing with strategies and calculations. The agency's relentless pursuit left no room for error; if they wanted to survive, they had to move now.
"We need a plan," Erik said, breaking the silence. His eyes shifted from Cassie to Anya, their mutual determination clear but laced with urgency. "Something more than just grabbing the list and hoping for the best."
Cassie nodded. "Agreed. Anya, how secure is the safety deposit box at the bank? Any chance it's already been compromised?"
Anya pulled herself up from where she sat and wiped her face, leaving a streak of grime on her cheek. "It's secure, for now. The agency has eyes on it, but they're waiting for someone to retrieve it. They won't make a move until then."
"Good," Erik said, crossing his arms. "That means we still have the element of surprise. But if they're expecting us, we'll need to draw their attention elsewhere."
Cassie's gaze flicked to the narrow street leading out of the courtyard. "We need a distraction big enough to pull their surveillance away from the bank, at least temporarily. If we split up, Erik can create chaos while Anya and I go in for the list."
Erik smirked, the glint of mischief in his eyes. "Causing trouble? That's my specialty. I'll lead them on a wild goose chase."
Anya looked at Cassie, her brow furrowed. "Are you sure splitting up is wise? If they catch Erik, we might lose our chance."
Cassie placed a reassuring hand on Anya's shoulder. "He knows what he's doing, and we need every advantage we can get. The moment we have the list, we regroup. This is our one shot at turning the tide."
Anya sighed but nodded, the gravity of the situation reflected in her eyes. "Then we need to be fast. The bank will only stay complacent for so long."
---
Two hours later, Erik stood at the edge of a bustling market square, the noise and color blending into a perfect backdrop for his diversion. Street vendors called out their wares, tourists snapped pictures, and locals chatted over coffee at nearby cafés. Erik adjusted the collar of his jacket, eyes scanning for the telltale signs of agents: a stiff posture here, an earpiece there.
He spotted them near a flower stall—a pair trying and failing to blend in, their attention fixed on the square but occasionally darting back to the bank a few blocks away. With a smirk, Erik took a deep breath, lit a small incendiary device he'd cobbled together from household items, and tossed it under a fruit cart.
A moment later, a deafening crack filled the air as the device detonated, sending oranges and apples cascading across the cobblestones. Shouts erupted, chaos rippling outward as people scattered and agents sprang into action.
"Hey!" one of them shouted, pushing through the crowd toward Erik, who was already slipping into an adjacent alley. He moved quickly, leading them away from the bank, their pursuit predictable and furious.
---
Cassie and Anya watched the scene unfold from across the street, hidden behind a parked delivery van. The crowd's panic created a perfect cover.
"It's working," Cassie said, eyes flicking to Anya. "Ready?"
Anya nodded, her hands trembling only slightly. Together, they approached the bank's side entrance, a small door used primarily by employees. Cassie had cased it the night before, noting the security cameras and the timing of their rotations. With Erik's distraction pulling most eyes away, the moment was now.
Cassie picked the lock in seconds, the soft click sending a surge of relief through her. They slipped inside, closing the door behind them and finding themselves in a dimly lit corridor lined with utility closets.
"The vault is on the lower level," Anya whispered, leading the way down the hall. They passed the occasional bank employee who barely glanced at them, too distracted by the commotion outside.
A set of metal stairs took them to the basement, where the air grew colder, tinged with the scent of polished steel and concrete. Cassie's heart thudded as they reached the heavy, reinforced door of the vault.
"This is it," Anya said, punching a code into the keypad beside the door. The red light blinked green, and the door released with a heavy clunk.
They stepped inside the room, lined with rows of safety deposit boxes. Cassie scanned the labels until she found the one marked with the number Erik had memorized. She slipped the key into the lock and twisted. The box slid out smoothly, and inside, nestled among inconspicuous documents, was a plain, unmarked USB drive.
Cassie's hand closed around it just as an alarm blared, the shrill sound slicing through the tension. She exchanged a quick, panicked glance with Anya.
"They know we're here," Anya said, her voice tight. "We need to go."
They bolted for the door, Cassie shoving the drive deep into her pocket as they raced back up the stairs. The bank lobby was now a scene of confusion; uniformed guards were scrambling, their radios crackling with frantic orders.
Cassie and Anya moved quickly but carefully, blending in with the agitated patrons being herded outside by security. They pushed through the revolving doors and into the chaos of the street, merging seamlessly with the dispersing crowd.
Cassie's phone buzzed in her pocket, the vibration almost lost amid the noise. She fished it out, glancing at the message from Erik: Meet at the rendezvous. Keep moving.
"We're clear," Cassie said, though her voice held no relief. They had the list, but the real fight was only beginning.
Anya's eyes met hers, a mixture of exhaustion and anticipation. "What now?"
Cassie took a breath, the weight of the USB pressing against her leg like a brand. "Now, we find out who's behind this. And we bring them down."
With sirens wailing in the distance and the city of Prague waking to the chaos around them, Cassie knew the clock was ticking. The agency would come for them, and the next move had to be theirs. The balance had shifted, but it was a thin line they walked—a line between exposing the truth and falling into a trap that could silence them forever.
But as she led Anya through the bustling streets, determination burned within her. They were no longer just running; they were fighting back. And this time, they held the most dangerous weapon of all—the truth.