Page 39 of No Escape

Valerie’s gaze grew distant, as if she were tallying a long, grim list. “Too many,” she finally said, her voice heavy with the weight of her memories.

As the rain continued to pour, it washed away the last remnants of innocence from the sisters’ world. They sat in the truck, the sound of raindrops drumming against the roof. Valerie remembered a holiday with their uncle when they were kids. Sitting in a tent, listening to the rain patter against its surface.

How she wished life was simple, but she knew anyone who had lived long enough to see the world’s true colors felt that way.

“You don’t need to do this, Suzie,” Valerie said. “You can wait here.”

“No,” she said. “I’m here with you. All the way.”

“Come on,” Valerie said. “Let’s go, and stay low. “

The rain eased up, leaving a world that seemed freshly washed and scrubbed clean. Valerie and Suzie stepped out of the truck, the damp air clinging to their skin like an invisible shroud. Despite the dark clouds still lingering above, it was daytime, and the world around them was vibrant with life.

Valerie inhaled deeply, the scent of freshly cut lawns filling her nostrils. It was a smell that spoke of suburban normalcy, of quiet afternoons spent tending to gardens and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. It was a stark contrast to the violence and death that seemed to follow them like a shadow.

They moved cautiously toward Joshua Murphy’s home, climbing over backyards and fences, the wet grass beneath their feet muffling their footsteps. Valerie felt the irony. Only the day before, they’d been running in the other direction, now they had returned.

Suzie followed her sister, her eyes darting nervously from side to side, as if expecting danger to spring from every corner.

Valerie’s years of experience as an FBI agent had honed her instincts, and she knew how to move without drawing attention to herself. She took the lead, guiding Suzie through the manicured lawns and neatly trimmed hedges, her senses attuned to the slightest hint of a threat.

As they drew closer to the house, Valerie could feel the tension in the air. It was as if the very atmosphere were charged with anticipation, waiting for the moment when their presence would be discovered.

Valerie signaled for Suzie to stop as they reached the back of the house. They crouched behind a tall hedge, peering around the corner to get a glimpse of the back door.

A light was on inside, fighting against the gloomy overcast day and casting a warm glow on the deck outside. Valerie could see shadows moving across the curtains, indicating that someone was inside.

A nervousness now filtered through her blood. She tried to steady her breathing, focusing on the task at hand.

Valerie gestured for Suzie to stay put, before silently making her way to the corner of the house next to Joshua’s. She peered around it, ever so slightly. A patrol car sat outside. In it, Valerie could see a cop. At the front door, another was posted, standing looking bored.

Valerie returned to her sister and whispered: “Standard two-guard duty. One cop outside in the street. The second is free roaming, probably changing from the front and rear of the house, checking in with Joshua regularly.”

“How do we get past them?” Suzie asked, apprehension in her voice.

“We need a distraction,” Valerie said. “Maybe if we set off an alarm on the other side of the street.”

“Like a house alarm?” Suzie asked.

“Yes,” answered Valerie. “But that will probably only work on one guard. The other will stick to Joshua.”

“I can set off a car alarm more easily,” Suzie said.

Valerie nodded, remembering how she had hotwired the old truck back at the used car lot.

“So,” Suzie offered, “if I set off an alarm that pulls the cop in the car away, how will you sneak past the other?”

“Let me worry about that,” Valerie said. “Sis… just make sure you don’t get caught.”

“Don’t worry, I got this,” Suzie said with determination. “I’ll need that knife.”

“Okay,” Valerie said, handing it to her. “Are you going to be okay?”

Her sister gave her a thumbs-up.

Valerie nodded and watched as Suzie crept away, making her way toward a nearby house. Valerie could see the silhouette of her sister as she climbed and made her way over the fence toward the front of another house. She disappeared around a corner and then reappeared a moment later further along the street.

Suzie crept toward a car and then, though Valerie didn’t see exactly how she achieved it, the alarm went off.

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