An Attic filled with Birds [Completed]

18. ... And run

Nora
The air is chilly outside. I haven't checked the time in a while, but it can't be past ten. We stopped jogging. The three of us now briskly walk back to the van we came in.

I'm still a little out of breath when Felix is the first to speak up.

'I thought I was supposed to smash the glass,' he says.

'What?' Damien asks.

'In the museum. I thought I was supposed to take the hammer and smash the protection case.'

I can't believe he's bringing this up. It doesn't matter at all, does it? We got out without troubles, even with the thing we came for. I'd say that's reason to celebrate.

'We were in a hurry,' Damien says. 'Plus, you had the bag in your hand.'

'But still. It wasn't the plan.'

'Does it matter?'

'A little. Now I can't say I did it. That I wasn't the one to do the thing.'

He chuckles softly.

'Again, does it matter? You can take the credit if you want.'

'Guys, please,' I interrupt. 'We managed, didn't we? We succeeded. Let's just get home. As fast as possible.'

They hold their tongues. When we reach the parking lot, Damien speaks up.

'Can I sit next to you?' he asks me. 'In the front of the van?'

'Sure,' I shrug. 'If Felix doesn't mind sitting alone in the back.'

'It's fine,' I hear Felix say.

When we reach the van, Felix gets in the back without a word. Damien walks around the vehicle to get to the passenger's seat as I open the door at the driver's seat.

Within a minute we drive away, our masks and caps still on.

As soon as we reached the highway leading through the middle of the city, police cars, sirens and all, drive to where we came from.

'We got out just in time,' I say.

'So to see. I'm glad we're not on the parking lot anymore either.'

'Yeah. It was a good call to not wait until ten to meet up. Especially with those other people in the museum. Do you have any idea who they were? It can't be the police if they're only now getting here.'

'I have no idea.'

We continue in silence. I didn't turn on the navigation or anything. I know the way home well enough.

I wonder if mom is doing alright on her own. I forgot to tell her we wouldn't be home tonight. She better not be worried. Or worse, gone out to look for us. She didn't text or try to call me. Maybe she called the reception at the postal service.

'Why did you want to sit with me?' I ask Damien.

He chuckles.

'I am getting a little annoyed with Felix.'

'How so?'

'He's just... You know.'

'I don't know. Tell me.'

'Even just that comment on the way back. Why would it matter who broke the glass? Yes, in our plan he was supposed to do it. But when making the plan neither of us realized he would have his hands full.'

'I don't think you should get worked up over it.'

'And I just stood next to him. Not doing anything. Shouldn't I be praised for taking initiative and helping him out?'