Age of The Understatement

Part 17 - Everything You've Come To Expect

Later the next day, around 10pm
Only 8 miles from Cripple Creek, CO

Before leaving their small campsite, the boys fully loaded their small handguns and took the liberty of strapping on knives onto each of their holsters. Alex hoped he wouldn't have to end up using his. The idea was to sneak in at night while the rest of the town was asleep, not showing their faces during the day so nobody would have a single clue who they were. Miles and Alex had decided to come up with their own code names if they needed to call out after each other during the big heist. Miles dubbed Alex as 'Caroline', and Miles went with the name 'Schwartz'.

"Why Caroline?" Alex asked, wishing he could have gotten something cool like 'Schwartz'.

"Pretty inconspicuous, right? Nobody would put that together. Besides, with your long hair you look rather girlish." Miles said as they continued on up the rocky mountainous terrain.

"Do I?" Alex called back out as he ran his fingers through the ends of his hair. "Well I guess so if I have my mask on.." he mumbled to himself.

With only a handful of miles left to go and with dusk set, Miles hoped that most of the community would be fast asleep by time they reached the town's center. Eleven-ish o'clock at night would be late enough for that, right? Miles kept his thoughts to himself as they trekked on up towards the town.
With the tops of the small houses and buildings gradually coming into view, Miles knew the plan was about to unfold. He worried, but somehow kept his emotions under control.

"Which way?" Alex asked quietly as they made their way to the towns entrance, passing by a small sign reading 'welcome to Cripple Creek'.

"Straight I assume, I'm sure it's square in the middle of town." Miles replied, still keeping quiet. "Pull up your mask."

Alex did as told and followed Miles' lead, pulling his dusty handkerchief up and over his nose and mouth, only his large brown eyes visible. Just as expected, the town was quiet besides the saloon that sat towards the front of town. Miles kept his composure as they passed by a few miners that stood outside the saloon watching them go by. They passed by the sheriffs post, then store after store, home after home, until eventually coming onto the towns square where the bank sitting exactly where they'd assume it would be and thankfully, it seemed to be unattended. Miles slid off of the side of his horse, his spurs clattering as his boots made contact with the dirt roads.

"C'mon." Miles whispered as he pulled his horse along the side of the building into a narrow alleyway, Alex following behind.

A window sat perfectly on the side of the building, practically begging to be broken. Miles pulled out his knife and placed the back end against the glass pane.

"Wait." Alex said as he grabbed ahold of Miles' arm.

Miles turned to face Alex, confused as to why he made him stop. The longer they took the more likely they were to be caught. Alex pulled down his mask.

"One last kiss, just in case we don't make it out of this." Alex said, pulling down Miles' handkerchief.

For a brief moment, it felt like they were in the safe arms of the moss back in Devils Creek. Miles leaned into Alex as he placed a passionate kiss against his lips, his arms wrapping around his thin waist. Alex was the first to pull away, placing his forehead to Miles'– causing their cowboy hats to nearly fall off.

"I love you Miles." Alex said, closing his eyes for a brief moment before letting out a sigh. "Alright. I'm ready."

Miles pulled his arms from Alex's waist and adjusted his hat before placing the back of his knife against the glass pane once again. Alex grabbed a few empty leather satchels from his horses saddle.