The world beyond

chapter 3- A new friend

The air in the old house suddenly grew tense as Claude noticed the threat lurking outside. He quickly turned to Mr. Ben, his voice urgent.
"They're coming," he whispered urgently. "Hide, quick!"
Mr. Ben nodded, his eyes wide with fear. Without a moment's hesitation, he darted towards the nearby basement stairs, disappearing into the shadows.

Bruno's frustration was evident, his impatient nature itching to kick down the door and make a loud entrance. But Andrew's firm hand gesture and hushed command to stay quiet quelled his impulsive instincts. Despite his irritation, Bruno managed to contain himself, understanding that stealth was the key to catching Claude off guard.

Andrew, a seasoned former FBI agent, was skilled at detecting clues that others might overlook. He quickly entered the house, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a keen sense of observation. Every corner, every surface, every object was meticulously noted, each holding the potential to reveal a hint as to where Claude might be hidden.

Mr. Ben, nervously holding his breath, was concealed behind a large wooden pillar in the basement, hoping to remain unnoticed. The air was dry and stifling, the dim light casting eerie shadows across the room. Despite the tension in the air, Mr. Ben tried his best to stay as still and quiet as possible, praying that Andrew and Bruno would not find him.

Bruno huffed in irritation as Andrew gestured towards the basement, silently ordering him to search for signs of Claude's presence. The Russian criminal grumbled under his breath, clearly annoyed at being bossed around by the meticulous former FBI agent. Nevertheless, Bruno complied, descending the creaking stairs into the dimly lit basement.

Claude, his heart pounding in his chest, was concealed under the creaky wooden stairs. The shadows and darkness provided some cover, but he knew that any sudden movement or sound could give away his location. He remained still, every muscle tense, listening to the footsteps of Andrew and Bruno as they searched the basement.

As Bruno's boots thundered against the stairs, the basement door flew open with a loud bang. The Russian criminal's voice rang out, a harsh and grating sound that echoed off the basement walls. "Come here, you smelly old bastard!" he growled, his flashlight casting wild shadows on the basement floor.
Claude remained hidden under the stairs, his breathing shallow and his heart pounding. Bruno's heavy footsteps drew closer, and for a moment, the Russian criminal was right above him, the dim light of the basement leaving Claude concealed like a predator in the darkness.

Mr. Ben, a middle-aged man, was cowering behind the wooden pillar, his heart racing in his chest. This was by far the most terrifying moment he had ever experienced, and he was vividly imagining a future vacation with his wife in the countryside where they had exchanged vows.
Bruno's laughter echoed throughout the basement, and he shouted out, his shotgun raised. "Ohh there you are, come out slowly before I shoot you. I'll count to 3, if you don't come out I'll shoot you."

In the dimly lit basement, Claude was filled with both fear and confusion. He couldn't fathom how Bruno could have discovered his location so quickly in the poor visibility. As Bruno's voice echoed through the darkness, counting down "one" and "two," Mr. Ben found himself taken aback by the Russian criminal's bluff. Despite his unassuming appearance, it was evident that Bruno's tactics were quite effective, and he seemed to have no clear notion of where or who was hiding among the shadows.

Mr. Ben, his heart racing, let a tear fall from his eye as he made a desperate decision. Just before Bruno could utter the final count "three," Mr. Ben stepped out from behind his cover, revealing himself in a moment of silent surrender. His hope was that, with his sacrifice, Bruno and Andrew might not notice Claude hidden under the stairs.

Bruno let out a soft chuckle, as if he were relishing in the situation. He took a step closer, his back now directly facing towards Claude who was hidden under the stairs. In a split second, Claude seized the opportunity and sprung forward, launching himself at the Russian criminal with lightning speed.