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The alarm wasn't supposed to go off yet. Something was off. Claire entered the digits into the system, but the alarm kept beeping. What’s going on? It should work. Frank wouldn’t lie about the code, would he? As time passed, the room in which Claire was in seemed to shrink. The gems were in the safe, and the owner had a party downstairs. It was the perfect time for a quick heist, just like she imagined it with Alex and Frank. They were a team, and they knew each other well. &nbsp;Sweat dripped from her forehead, and her hands trembled as she tried to figure out what was wrong with the code. She sang the only melody she knew - the one her mother sang to her as a kid. But the alarm seemed louder now, and with each beep, she feared someone would enter the room and find the intruder - her. She tinkered with the system until the blaring sound finally stopped.&nbsp;“Miss Claire, we meet again?” the voice said. She hadn’t heard the footsteps approaching her before because she ignored everything around her - a mistake.&nbsp;“I know…it’s an awkward situation”, she said, turning around to face him. It was Detective Shawn Bool, a detective trying to catch her as long as she could remember.&nbsp;“Bravo! That was a smart move, indeed. Hiding behind a carnival mask, then intruding upstairs, and who is that with you?” Detective Shawn said, looking around as he pointed a gun toward Claire.&nbsp;Claire moved away from the safe. She considered jumping from the balcony into the sea, but that would be risky. Movie heroes would do that, but Claire was not a hero. She was trembling.&nbsp;“Detective, how about you go downstairs, have a drink, forget this ever happened?” She seductively asked, her voice dark and low.&nbsp;Detective Shawn shook his head. He approached Claire, but she moved backward, closer to the balcony door. &nbsp;“The party is over,” he said. “And the chicken appetizers were too salty anyway,” he smirked.&nbsp;Claire saw a shadowy figure approaching, walking stealthily behind Detective Shawn. The man grabbed a nearby vase and smashed it against the detective's head.&nbsp;“Quickly, it’s time we leave this party,” Alex, her partner, said.&nbsp;She smiled and let out a gasp. She realized she was holding her breath for too long. &nbsp;The party was in full swing. Lavish lights, food, drink, hostesses, and party people, all in one place. The people swayed with the rhythm of the music. Claire wished she could enjoy a simple party like this. Alex, holding her hand, led her through the crowd - outside. &nbsp;The night reminded Claire her thin turquoise dress was not enough to keep her warm. They ran together toward the parking lot, Alex silently cursing and talking to Claire.&nbsp;"Frank is to blame,” he said. “This should have been an easy grab.”&nbsp;Alex quickly unlocked the car door while Claire noticed someone in the distance. The man held a cloth over his head. She realized it was Detective Shawn.&nbsp;“Quickly, he is here, Alex,” Claire said and slid into the passenger's seat.&nbsp;Alex started the car. The tires screeched as the car sped away from the heist. He could see Detective Shawn in his rear-view mirror running after them, but giving up at the end.&nbsp;Claire clasped her hands and looked at Alex. He was mumbling something to himself, visibly upset. He was driving fast through the city.&nbsp;“I was thinking about something. Forget about Frank, the gems, the money, the heist. What about we move up north, raise horses, and start a family?” Claire said gently; her gaze was on Alex’s face.&nbsp;Alex grasped the steering wheel and closed his eyes for a second.&nbsp;“Don’t be ridiculous, Claire. People like us don’t change,” he said, without even glancing at her.&nbsp;“I know, but..” Claire continued, “I am tired of running.”&nbsp;She reached for Alex’s hand on his lap, but he moved it, grasping the steering wheel.&nbsp;“You think like that because we failed..you’ll see, we have other jobs coming up. Much better than this one. I never should have agreed…” Alex said, not finishing his sentence.&nbsp;Claire knew Alex didn’t trust Frank. Frank was holding himself up as their boss, and whatever they did, they did it because Frank hooked them up with a job, but Frank never joined in any of the heists.&nbsp;“We are the ones risking our lives for this job. Where is Frank, ha? He is somewhere drinking cocktails and hugging women,” Alex said.&nbsp;Soon, the car was in Claire’s driveway, and Alex turned off the machine.&nbsp;“Look... take your belongings, essentials. I’ll wait here. We have to run and run far.” Alex said, leaning over to Claire’s side and kissing her cheek.&nbsp;Claire stood still. The kiss felt cold, like the heist wasn’t the only thing over. Something in Claire broke at this moment. As she opened the car door, she didn’t even look back.&nbsp;She unlocked the house. The walls felt like strangers, the furniture as though yelling to her: “This is not your home anymore.” She knew it was only a matter of time before the Detective would find her. She poured herself a bourbon drink with ice and gulped it in one sitting.&nbsp;Why hadn’t the code worked? Had Frank betrayed them?&nbsp;She hurried upstairs, filling her backpack with the essentials — a couple of clothing items; makeup, a toothbrush, and a passport. Downstairs, she heard a noise: loud footsteps.&nbsp;She hurried down, thinking it was Alex. In the kitchen, she saw a familiar face. Frank. He drank some of the bourbon left on the cabinet.&nbsp;“Claire.. I was hoping you would be here,” he said, holding a gun. He looked nervous, his hands and voice trembled as he talked.&nbsp;“Frank? What are you doing here?” Claire asked, but she knew. He was cleaning up his mess.&nbsp;“They can connect me to you two. I should have done this ages ago,” Frank said, motioning to Claire that she should be still. Preparing to fire the gun, Frank closed his eyes for a moment, but Claire ducked in time.&nbsp;She ran towards the bathroom and locked the door.&nbsp;“You are just running from the inevitable,” Frank yelled.&nbsp;The gunshots echoed through the house. Claire heard people talking, shots fired, and a body dropping on the floor. She trembled, her heart racing. Was that Alex? &nbsp;A couple of minutes passed. Then Detective Shawn yelled out: “Come out, Claire.”&nbsp;Hesitating, Claire unlocked the bathroom door. She saw the detective with Frank’s body next to him. He was not moving anymore.&nbsp;“Claire, it's alright,” the Detective said, reaching his hand toward Claire.&nbsp;“What will happen now?” Claire asked, “Is Alex okay?”&nbsp;“No, I am sorry. Frank killed him before he came after you. We think he is a part of a larger heist operation. If you would testify and help us catch larger fish… we could help you move north and raise a couple of horses,” Detective Shawn said, teasing Claire. &nbsp;Claire realized Shawn had probably bugged Alex’s car. He knew far more than he revealed. &nbsp;“That would be perfect,” she said. As they shook hands, she heard the police sirens approaching. It was finally over. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Last Heist

Mateja

Mateja Saraja

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The Last Heist

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Mateja Saraja

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