The Dark Slytherin (Trilogy)

Ch 4- The Great Heist

It was a crisp, clear night, the kind where the stars seemed to shimmer like diamonds in the sky. The gang had been planning this heist for weeks, and the anticipation had reached a fever pitch. Rex, their leader, had found a target—a small jewellery store in a quiet part of town. It wasn't the biggest score, but it was enough to make the risk worth it. And tonight was the night. The gang was gathered in their hideout, the air thick with tension and excitement. Rex stood at the centre, going over the plan one last time. His voice was calm, but his eyes gleamed with a fierce determination.

"Right, everyone knows their roles," he said, looking around at his crew. "In and out, quick and clean. We don't want any trouble. Max, you're on lookout. Lily, you're with me on the floor. Hadrian, you keep an eye on the back entrance. Lisa and Pete, you're on the getaway. Everyone clear?"

There were nods and murmurs of agreement. Hadrian's heart was pounding in his chest, a mix of fear and exhilaration. This was his first big job, and he didn't want to mess it up. He had a small, wiry frame that allowed him to squeeze into tight spaces, and tonight he would be keeping an eye out for any unexpected surprises.

They moved out quickly, slipping through the shadows like ghosts. The jewellery store was in a quiet part of town, away from the main roads. It was the perfect target—small, but with enough valuable merchandise to make it worth their while. The plan was simple: in and out in less than ten minutes. Rex had disabled the security cameras, and Max had scouted the area earlier to make sure there were no patrols.

They arrived at the store, and the adrenaline hit Hadrian like a wave. He felt his senses sharpen, every sound and movement amplified. Max took his position outside, his eyes scanning the street for any signs of trouble. Rex and Lily went to the front door, working quickly to pick the lock. Hadrian slipped around to the back, his eyes darting around in the darkness.

The door clicked open, and Rex and Lily slipped inside. The store was dimly lit, the faint glow of streetlights filtering through the windows. The display cases sparkled with an array of jewellery—rings, necklaces, watches. They moved quickly, sweeping the valuables into bags with practiced efficiency. Hadrian stayed by the back door, his ears straining for any sound.

Everything was going smoothly until they heard the distant wail of a siren. It was faint, but it sent a jolt of panic through the group. Rex cursed under his breath, his movements becoming more frantic.

"Wrap it up! We're out of time!" he hissed, stuffing the last of the jewellery into the bag. Lily glanced at the door, her eyes wide with alarm. "Did Max signal? I didn't see the signal! "Hadrian's heart raced. The signal was supposed to be a quick flash of light from Max's torch, a warning if anyone was approaching. But there had been nothing. He peered out the back door, his eyes scanning the darkness. Then he saw it—a flash of blue lights, growing closer.

"Police!" Hadrian shouted, his voice breaking the tense silence.

The gang sprang into action. Rex and Lily darted towards the back, bags in hand. They burst out the door just as the first police car screeched to a halt in front of the store. Max was already running towards them, his face pale.

"How did they know?!" he gasped, panic in his voice. "Doesn't matter! Run!" Rex shouted, leading the way down the narrow alley behind the store. They ran, feet pounding against the pavement, hearts racing with fear and adrenaline. The sirens grew louder, the blue lights dancing in the distance. Hadrian's breath came in short, sharp gasps, his lungs burning. The night air was cold, biting at his skin, but he barely felt it.They twisted and turned through the maze of backstreets, trying to shake off any pursuit. Hadrian could hear the shouts of the police, the crackle of radios. His mind raced, trying to keep track of the route they were taking, looking for any possible escape.

Ahead, Rex skidded to a stop, glancing around desperately. They were at a dead end, a high fence blocking their path. There was no way to climb over it in time. Rex turned to face the group, his face set with grim determination. "Split up! Lose 'em in the alleys. Meet back at the hideout if you can," he ordered, his voice low but urgent.

Without another word, they scattered. Hadrian ran down a side alley, his heart hammering in his chest. The sound of his own footsteps echoed in his ears, mingling with the distant shouts and sirens. He darted down another alley, trying to put as much distance between himself and the police as possible.

He could hear footsteps behind him—heavy, fast. They were getting closer. Hadrian's mind raced, looking for a way out. Ahead, he spotted a small gap between two buildings. It was barely wide enough for him to squeeze through, but it was his only chance.

He dove for the gap, squeezing through the tight space. His heart was pounding so loudly he could barely hear anything else. He emerged into another alley, this one even narrower than the last. He took a moment to catch his breath, his eyes darting around for any sign of pursuit. The footsteps were still behind him, getting closer. Hadrian felt a surge of panic. He couldn't lead them back to the hideout; it would put everyone in danger. He had to lose them, somehow. He spotted a stack of crates against one wall, leading up to a low rooftop. Without thinking, he scrambled up the crates, pulling himself onto the roof. He lay flat, pressing himself against the cold, rough surface, trying to make himself as small as possible.

The footsteps came closer, then stopped. Hadrian held his breath, his heart pounding in his ears. He could hear voices, muffled but urgent. He risked a quick glance over the edge of the roof and saw two policemen, their torches sweeping the alley below. They were looking for him.

Hadrian's heart raced as he watched the beams of light dance across the alley. He knew if they found him, it would all be over. The gang, the hideout, everything. He clenched his fists, willing himself to stay still, to stay quiet.

The policemen moved on, their voices fading into the distance. Hadrian let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his whole body shaking with adrenaline. He waited, listening to the sounds of the night, making sure they were gone.

When he was sure it was safe, he carefully climbed down from the roof. His legs felt like jelly, and his heart was still racing, but he forced himself to move. He had to get back to the hideout, to make sure everyone else was okay.

He navigated the maze of alleys, taking a roundabout route to avoid any lingering police presence. When he finally reached the hideout, he found the others already there, breathing heavily, faces flushed with adrenaline.

Rex was pacing, his face a mix of anger and relief. Lily was sitting on an old crate, her hands shaking slightly. Max was leaning against the wall, his face pale but his eyes bright with excitement. Pete and Lisa were checking the loot, making sure they hadn't dropped anything in the rush.

Hadrian collapsed onto a worn-out sofa, his heart still racing. He looked around at the others, relief washing over him. They'd made it. They'd pulled it off, barely, but they had.Rex stopped pacing and looked at the group, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Well, that was close," he said, his voice shaky but triumphant. "But we did it. Good job, everyone." The gang let out a collective sigh of relief, laughter bubbling up as the tension broke. The fear and danger of the night gave way to exhilaration and relief. They'd been close, too close, but they'd pulled it off.

As they divvied up the loot and recounted the night's events, Hadrian felt a rush of pride and excitement. It had been a wild, dangerous night, but they'd come out on top. He felt a thrill of excitement, a sense of belonging. He was part of something, part of this strange, chaotic family. The night had been a rollercoaster of emotions—fear, excitement, relief. But as they sat together, sharing stories and laughter, Hadrian felt a sense of contentment. He was where he belonged, with people who cared about him, who looked out for him. And though the future was uncertain, for now, he was happy.

The heist had been a close call, but it had also been a test—a test of their skills, their loyalty, their trust in each other. And they'd passed. They were a team, a family, and together, they could face whatever challenges came their way.