THE BANK HEIST

CHAPTER XII

Tom came running in with the gun in his hand.

Stub was quick. He turned around and held Karen in front of him as cover, placing the knife to her throat. "Back off, you snitch!"

"Did he hurt you?" Tom inquired of Karen, care and fright drawn all over the pitch of his voice.

She shook her head from side to side, too frightened to say anything.

"Let her alone," Tom yelled. "This is between us."

"Us? Us, you say? Was there an us when you left and ran off with a bag full of money? Our own money?"

"There was nothing I could do. The cops were coming and I thought you were dead."

"You thought. But you could take the girl. My own hostage."

"She's just an innocent lady, she was hurt and I needed to help her."

"Hear yourself. Lying cowardly cunt!Well, I don't have time for that. Where is the fucking money?"

"I didn't take any money. There was no time."

Stub gave a chuckle. "Of course. Have you heard the news? Why not? Brax and Bubble were taken into custody. Bubble was found dead the next morning. He couldn't bear the torture and must have commited suicide. Two bags were recovered from the car before it exploded. The cops are desperately after us."

"But how did you manage to escape?" Tom inquired confused. "I saw you unconscious, I thought you were dead and that was why I left in a hurry."

"Or rather you hoped I was dead. I have always been a tough man. I saw you taking the bag from the trunk and leaving with the pretty young lady. The sirens were getting closer. I summoned enough strength and got out before they got to where I was."

"And Sky?"

"I've heard nothing of him. He is the only free one now, I guess. Now enough with the talk. Where is the money?"

"Can we calm down and discuss this as friends?"

"We can never be friends!" Stub exclaimed. "Partners, yes. But friends? You let me for dead and you talk about friendship."

He was getting more hysterical. His hand was around Karen's throat and it was choking her. The edge of the knife was gradually cutting into her throat and there was a sign of blood. Karen winced in pain.

Tom was still pointing his gun at him. Stub had to be eliminated, he decided. Karen was looking at Tom with tears in her eyes. He winked at her and she read the meaning. With all the strength left in her, she ducked sideways and Tom fired a shot. The bullet grazed Stub's ear and lodged itself inside the wall behind him.

Quick as lightning, Stub picked the wooden chair on which Karen was sat earlier which was lying in front of him and threw it at Tom, knocking the gun from his hand. Screaming, he charged towards Tom with the knife, hate and fury burning in his eyes.

"Run, Karen, run!!" Tom cried as he tried to pick up the gun. Stub was too quick and was already on him. He struck out with the knife and Tom only managed to dodge, when Stub's heavy left fist came crashing into Tom's jaw. Tom fell down, dazed.
Stub picked the gun and threw it away.

"Now let's see who's the man," he said.
"You're still holding a knife," Tom replied spitting out blood. "Why not even the playing field?"

As Stub flung the knife away, he launched a kick at Tom but Tom caught the leg, pulled it back and threw the stout man down. Quick as lightning, Tom got on top of him dishing punches to his face. After a few punches, Stub caught him by the throat and started strangling him. Slowly he turned and he was on top of Tom, choking him to death with his big hands, with both knees on either side of the younger man.

Tom was losing strength quickly. He caught Stub's hand trying to pull them away from his throat but Stub's grip was too tight for him. He kicked and pushed but Stub wouldn't buldge. Stub's eyes were fiery, bloodshot, with the word "death" clearly visible in them. Tom gave a cry and poked two fingers into Stub's eyes. Stub cried out and loosened his grip. Tom clenched a strong fist and landed it on the man's nose. He gave way and Tom escaped from his grip and stood up.

He threw a kick and got Stub in the face, stunning him. He saw the rope on the ground which Stub had cut out of to use in tying Karen up. He quickly picked it, dashed with much swiftness behind Stub and wound it round his neck. He gripped it as tight as could be, summoning all the strength he could muster. Stub was groaning and tossing and flinging out his arm, but Tom kept tightening the rope more and more, his biceps bulging. After a while Stub gasped and fell down, lifeless, his eyes bulging out of his head and saliva running down his jaw.

"Karen." Tom called out.
She came out of her hiding place and walked over to Tom, still shaken. Tom stood up and and put his arms around her. "It's alright now," he whispered in her ears and planted a kiss on her cheek. She began sobbing once more...

***********************************

Thank you guys for reading. Please kindly support me with your votes and comments. Thanks as you do so ❤