The Pale Lily

Gotta Get In

Elara moved quickly and quietly through the dimly lit streets toward the bank, her mind racing but her steps steady. The city had a different energy at night—one that was both eerie and thrilling. Shadows stretched long across the pavement, and the faint hum of distant traffic was the only sound accompanying her. In her jacket pocket, the hard drive felt heavier with each step, a reminder of the gravity of what she was about to do.

As she approached the bank, Elara surveyed the area. The main entrance was well-lit, with a security camera perched on the corner of the building. But Lysandra’s words echoed in her mind: “Make me proud, Caramella.” There was no room for hesitation. This was a game, and in order to win, she had to be smart—and fast.

Elara tugged her jacket tighter around herself, taking a deep breath as she walked with purpose toward the entrance. She didn’t try to hide or sneak in—after all, she was a detective, and she had the credentials to be here. Approaching the bank like she belonged there was the best way to avoid suspicion.

At the door, she flashed her badge to the security guard, who was standing just inside, eyeing her with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

“Detective Graves,” she said with an air of authority, her voice steady and composed. “I need access to check something on the security systems. Routine follow-up on an open case.”

The guard, a middle-aged man with tired eyes, glanced at her badge and then back at her. After a moment, he gave a small nod, clearly too weary to ask many questions.

“Go on ahead, Detective,” he said, stepping aside.

Elara nodded in thanks and entered the bank, her heart pounding despite the calm façade she was projecting. She had done this before—used her position to gain access—but tonight, the stakes were different. This wasn’t just about solving a case. This was about bringing down a man who had eluded justice for far too long.

The bank was quiet, the only sound the soft whir of the air conditioning. She quickly scanned the area, making note of the layout. The router she needed to access was likely in the back offices, where the technical equipment was kept. She would have to move fast before anyone realized what she was really there for.

Elara made her way down the hallway, her footsteps silent on the polished marble floors. The fluorescent lights buzzed softly overhead, casting a cold, sterile light over everything. As she moved deeper into the building, she passed rows of offices, all empty at this late hour.

Reaching the back of the bank, she found the door she was looking for: Server Room. It was locked, but not for long. Elara retrieved a small lock-picking set from her jacket—another gift from Lysandra—and made quick work of the lock. Within seconds, the door clicked open, and she slipped inside, closing it softly behind her.

The server room was exactly what she expected—rows of computers and technical equipment, the heart of the bank’s operations. The hum of machinery filled the space, the air cool from the constant circulation of fans. Elara scanned the room quickly, looking for the router she needed to access.

There it was, tucked in the corner. She approached it, pulling the hard drive from her pocket. Her hands moved quickly, plugging it into the system just as Lysandra had instructed. Once it was in place, the program on the drive would do the rest, draining Aldor’s accounts without a trace and sending the funds to a secure location that even he couldn’t touch.

Elara waited for the small light on the hard drive to blink, signaling that it had begun its work. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. So far, everything was going according to plan.

But she knew better than to let her guard down. This was the easy part. The hard part was getting out without anyone noticing.

As the seconds ticked by, Elara kept her eyes on the blinking light, willing it to move faster. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the light turned green. The hard drive had done its job.

Elara unplugged it and slipped it back into her jacket. She turned to leave, her heart racing with the knowledge that they had just pulled off something monumental. Aldor’s empire was about to crumble, and he wouldn’t even know it until it was too late.

But just as she reached the door, she heard a noise. Footsteps.

Her pulse quickened as she pressed her back against the wall, listening. The footsteps were coming closer—too close. She couldn’t be caught here. Not now.

Elara cursed under her breath, thinking quickly. She spotted a small utility closet just across the hall and made a dash for it, slipping inside just as the door to the server room opened. Through the crack in the door, she saw a security guard walk in, his flashlight sweeping over the room.

For a tense few moments, Elara held her breath, watching as the guard checked the room. He didn’t seem to notice anything out of place, but if he stayed too long, he might check the logs and realize someone had accessed the server.

The guard eventually left, closing the door behind him. Elara let out a quiet sigh of relief and slipped back out of the closet. She couldn’t afford any more close calls.

With the hard drive safely tucked away, Elara made her way back toward the entrance, moving quickly but carefully. She had done it—now all that was left was to meet Lysandra at the rendezvous and figure out their next move.

But as she stepped outside into the cool night air, her mind wandered, thinking of Lysandra and the insane plan they had just pulled off. She couldn’t help but smirk, the thrill of the mission still buzzing through her veins. Even after everything they had been through, Lysandra still managed to surprise her at every turn.

And as dangerous as she was, Elara found herself drawn to that unpredictable spark.