Gift

Chapter 5: Fortune Favors the Bold

"Everyone out! Now!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

The blaring sirens were deafening. The police cars raced down the street, red and blue flashing lights streaking across the night sky as they drove past onlookers and coming to a stop in front of the bank. A quick glance told me that everyone had gotten out of the way and was standing clear. I could see several people pointing their cell phones at the bank building, capturing the images for all eternity.

I gave one last look around, seeing all my crew by my side. "Hope you guys are ready," I gave them a smirk, " Cause this is the hard part!"

"All of it is the hard part, Zeke!" Doren yelled.

I turned around to the rest of the gang. "Remember, we don't kill."

There was a murmur of agreement all around.

"If there are any deaths tonight, I'll make sure every one of you does time," I finished.

The crew nodded their agreement.

"Now follow the plan. Doren is in charge! Go!" I said. The rest of them kept running towards the back of the bank while I stayed behind in the main hall.

We started the heist just before the first squad car screeched to a halt in front of our van. Three squads surrounded the building as officers ran into the lobby. One officer began running towards me and I rushed back at him. I was clearly faster and stronger. When I reached him, I lifted my knee into the air, contacting his chin and knocking him to the ground. The officer was knocked out cold. I looked at the rest of the officers to see them unmoving, not even aiming their guns at me.

"What gives?!" I said, motioning to all of them.

The click clacking of heels was echoing throughout the main room of the bank. Appearing from the sea of police officers was a slender woman dressed in a black suit. She wore black leather gloves, with rings on the outside of her gloves wrapped around her fingers. Her hair was long, straightened, and jet black. Her eyes were bright, almost glowing, and lips were painted red, matching the color of her lipstick. A small smile graced her face as she walked through the police line.

"You're late." I said to her, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now, care to explain why only one of your guys attacked? Frankly, I feel disrespected here."

This wasn't our first encounter. I've run into her multiple times in the past. Obviously she has yet to catch me because we are once again meeting.

She smiled at me. "He was a rookie, no idea of your background, so don't get too cocky that you brought him down. As for why we aren't attacking, well, it's because I wanted to see the look on your face when I tell you the truth."

I rolled my eyes and took a mocking tone. "Please Ms detective lady, don't tell me it was all a setup!"

"Yes, Mr. Faller. This bank is empty."

I blinked a few times, then finally spoke up, "Wait, someone got here before us?!"

"Uh. No, that's not wha- "

"Listen Marlin."

"Marleen."

"That's what I said. But, did you really think we spent all those months planning this heist without knowing that it was Godsdamn empty?"

She looked at me confused, "What are you getting at?"

I raised my arms into the air and motioned around at everyone watching. The police, the innocent onlookers, captain Marleen. Everyone. "Look at everyone here, all focused on me." I pointed out to her. "My crew and I? All of us know exactly what we're doing. We've been waiting for this moment since the moment we formed. It's gonna take so much more than a 30th rate detective to stop us."