THE HEIST AND BLACKMAIL(2)
CHAPTER 2 — The Heist The group gathered at Jason’s hideout — a decaying warehouse on the outskirts of Elm. The air smelled of rust and gasoline, the flicker of a single bulb casting shadows across their tense faces. Rachel tossed Sam a ski mask. “You in, Sam?” she asked, her tone unreadable. Sam caught the mask, staring at it. “I guess I am,” he murmured, still trying to understand how Rachel — his Rachel — had become part of this. Jason, standing at the center like a commander, began outlining the plan. “Alex handles the cameras, Mike takes care of the alarms, Rachel and Sam — you create a diversion. I’ll take the vault.” His voice was sharp, confident, and cold. When the night of the heist finally came, Sam’s heart thudded like a drum. As they synchronized their watches, his palms slicked with sweat beneath his gloves. “Remember,” Jason whispered, eyes glinting in the dark, “we’re in this together. No heroics. In or out, we all move as one.” They moved swiftly through the shad...