The house no one Knows about

TWENTY-TWO

We took the offer because it is pretty amazing. Bambi didn't speak for a while and jus focused on her meal but when Izzy was leaving, she got up and hugged him really tight. She told him that she hoped he would still be her brother and till the day she dies (which would be soon) she would not forget him.

In two days when Bambi is discharged we plan to leave the hospital in my car and pack our stuff quickly. Then we'll sleep in the barn just in case the police are surrounding us. Then in the morning we'll pawn the stuff she stole from the rich people and gather all our cash. Then we'll drive to Miami. The plan seemed to make enough sense especially when she described it to me. The day before she is allowed to go home, she hands me the silver key to the attic which has not left her neck ever since she's been in the hospital.

'Go into the attic, the code is seven-eight-nine-two-two-six. Use the key for the fingerprint scan' she rubs her thumb on the key to make it more effective. 'In the attic, you'll see a couch; my laptop is probably on the couch. Underneath the cushions is a key. That is how you're going to get into the safe.

'The safe is in the wall; inside the safe is a collection of ornaments, antiques, jewellery and golden brooches and priceless things. Put them in your bag and take it to the trunk of my car, the keys will be in the safe' she instructs.

It wasn't challenging to get into the attic. Everything is as how she described it. When I open the safe, I find that everything inside has a shiny surface and is sonorous. I find a small clam, inside are five pearls. I place each item inside my bag carefully, so I don't drop any ting. By the time the safe is empty my bag probably weighs a hundred pound but Bambi mentioned something about a hidden section.

'The safe also has a hidden section, so you've got to slip your finger into that tiny hole before you leave'

The hole is big enough for a narrow stick, not the finger of an average sixteen-year old boy. I stick the jagged end of Bambi's car keys into the hole and it jerks forward. I do this several times until the fake wall falls out. Behind it is a stack of gold bars.

Three stacks of gold bars.

I balance them into the River Island bag that Bambi insisted I carry along. The walk to the barn is unbearable with a bag full of gold bars and another full of classy things but fortunately I make it without breaking my arms or falling. I lock the car and drive back to hospital. I drive really fast because I'm scared that I'll see Bambi in comatose state again but this time having a seizure that's even worse than the last but when I get there she is fake-sleeping.

'Hi' she whispers

'Hey'

'Did you get it?'

'Yup'

'All of it?'

'Yes'

'Even the gold bars?'

'I though you trust me'

She giggles.

'Okay, come sit over here' she pats the edge of the bed and when I sit she squeezes my hand.

'The plan is working well so far' she whispers again

'I know'

'We'll be gone in two days'

'We're lucky; most fugitives aren't as smart as you'

'I'm not a fugitive'

'Do not be in denial of what you are'

'Okay, but if I'm a fugitive, then you're a fugitive'

'We can be fugitives together'

'Okay, but not for long'