𝑾𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑫 𝑫𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑴𝑺 ━━ 𝚂𝚝𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚁𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚜

7 Starting Over

AERON knew that getting out of the United States without alerting Medusa or her network of spies would require meticulous planning and precise execution. Every move he made had to be calculated, and he couldn't afford any mistakes. As he navigated the back alleys of the city, his mind raced with the urgency of their situation. There was no room for mistakes and no margin for error. Every step of their escape plan had to be flawless.

He made his way to a secluded part of town, a place where the underworld thrived and where deals were made in shadows. Aeron had connections here, people who owed him favors and who operated outside the law. It was a dangerous gamble, but he had no other choice.

In a dimly lit garage hidden behind a row of abandoned warehouses, Aeron met with an old acquaintance, Vinny, a grizzled mechanic who had a reputation for procuring vehicles with no questions asked.

"Vinny," Aeron greeted, his voice low and urgent. "I need a van. Something clean, untraceable."

Vinny looked up from under the hood of a battered car, his eyes narrowing as he recognized Aeron. "Aeron, my man. Been a while. What kind of trouble are you in now?"

"The kind that doesn't leave a trail," Aeron replied, glancing around the garage. "I need something now. Can you help me or not?"

Vinny wiped his greasy hands on a rag and motioned for Aeron to follow him. They walked to the back of the garage, where a variety of vehicles were stored, each one more inconspicuous than the last. Vinny stopped in front of a nondescript white van, its paint slightly chipped but otherwise unremarkable.

"This one's clean," Vinny said, patting the hood. "No plates, no registration, no history. Just what you're looking for."

Aeron inspected the van, checking for any signs of tracking devices or hidden surprises. Satisfied, he turned to Vinny. "How much?"

Vinny scratched his head, contemplating. "Normally, I'd ask for a hefty sum. But for you, considering our history... let's call it a favor repaid."

Aeron nodded, grateful but wary. "Thanks, Vinny. I owe you one."

Vinny chuckled. "You owe me more than one, but we'll settle up another time. Get out of here and stay safe."

With the keys in hand, Aeron wasted no time. He drove the van back to where Edda was waiting, sedated and hidden from prying eyes. The van's false compartments and cloaking technology would help them evade any surveillance systems Medusa might have in place. As he carefully loaded Edda into the back of the van, securing her in a hidden compartment, he couldn't shake the feeling of urgency. He had to get them out of the city before Medusa realized what was happening. Aeron double-checked everything, making sure Edda was comfortable and that the van was ready for a long, stealthy journey.

"Aeron, what's going on?" Edda murmured, her voice weak from the sedation.

"Don't worry, Edda," Aeron replied softly, his heart aching at the sight of her vulnerability. "I'm getting you out of here. Just hang on a little longer."

With Edda safely secured, Aeron climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine. The van purred to life, and he navigated the labyrinthine streets with practiced ease, avoiding main roads and keeping an eye out for any signs of pursuit. Their journey took them through the outskirts of the city, away from the prying eyes of Medusa's network. The darkness of the night provided cover as Aeron drove with single-minded determination. He knew their destination: a small private airstrip on the edge of town, where a trusted pilot waited to take them to the safety of Madripoor.