Chapter 35

31st December 2050

It was a cold December Afternoon. Jerry and Malcolm were passing through an alley of a posh residential area. They were here to scout their next target for robbery. Harry was not with them; he had gone to arrange weapons and costumes for today's robbery.

They were excited as well as nervous and a little afraid. This time, they had planned to attempt the riskiest robbery of their lives. They had been preparing for this robbery for past couple of days and today was the D-day. They were going to end this year with a bang that will be heard throughout the world.

They had reached the designated alley. They looked around to spot CCTV Cameras installed. The security of this target was tighter than their earlier targets.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lisa took her annual leaves early this year and she was going to spend her vacation with her sister, Penny in Chicago. She needed some personal time to figure everything out. Past few weeks had been extremely mind-bending and emotionally draining for her. Particularly, what happened with Steve had shaken her up very bad. Her Assistant, Melinda resigned yesterday. Lisa tried to talk her out of this, but she was too disturbed to carry on. However, she promised to keep the events of that day to herself.

Lisa was driving her own hover car. She always enjoyed winters more than summers. It was snowing and she was loving the scenery. The weather had a positive impact on her mood. She exhaled and tried to shake the negative and sad thoughts off her mind.

"Turn on the radio." She commanded.

"Hey peeps. Now it is time for some commercials and after that we will hear the Worst Best Song Ever. Stay tuned for more later. Ciao." The announcer said on the radio.

"Worst Best Song Ever?" Lisa Scoffed.

"World is turning for worse. I can't believe people have lost taste in arts and crafts. Now, any Tom, Dick and Harry can become famous." She let out her pent-up anger.

Hey listen! you there?

Done somethin' You Fear?

Don't worry! Let it slide.

You need mercy, Put it aside.

Forget the past and to it bow.

Just feel it, Life is now.

"Liiiiiiiiiife…. is now." Lisa started singing with him. It was catchy.

"Life is now." Lisa started enjoying the beat.

Come on, don't….

"Aaaaaaaaaaaa." Lisa screamed out her lungs and dived the car down. She barely managed to keep herself from smashing into the road.

She just avoided an accident with a smart car. Smart cars were like a single seat jet. These cars could accelerate between 500 kph to 750 kph and could reach up to the height of one thousand feet. In fact, as per new traffic laws, smart cars were not allowed to fly below the height of 500 feet. These cars were very costly and not everyone could afford them.

Even though Lisa herself had an expensive car equipped with latest technology, still her car was nothing compared to that smart car.

"This must be some rich spoiled brat." She thought. She was panting shivering like a withered leaf. Her heart was beating like a wild animal and she was sweating from her every pore. It took some time for her to compose herself. She sat up and parked the car on the side.

"You filthy son of a bitch! You think you own this world. Follow the damn rules." She opened the side window and cursed at the smart car that was nowhere to be seen.

Her car's automatic security system had shut all the ancillary functions down sensing the emergency.

She sat in the car and drove away.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Emma had reached at her grandparents'. She had been sleeping all day. She just woke up and walked out of her room. Grandpa was sitting in the living room while Grandma was in the kitchen.

"Hey look! What the cat dragged in?" Grandpa smiled and spread his arms. She quickly submerged in his broad chest. He enveloped her in his arms and kissed her on forehead.

"You are still running fever." He placed his hand on her forehead.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth! Elizabeth" He called grandma.

"Why are you screaming at such an old age? Your lungs could come out your mouth." Grandma was annoyed by his screaming.

Emma laughed out loud. Grandpa's face looked like he had gulped down something unsavory.

"Emma! Why are you out of bed?" She completely ignored Jacob, her husband.

"Come on. She is young. What young child like to spend time in bed? Her fever is down. Just bring in the seafood cream soup. She needs warmth." Jacob defended his granddaughter.

Emma nodded in agreement.

"Well, Emma needs the soup then why are you drooling?" She knew that he loves her seafood cream soup. Emma quickly looked at his face. She had a mischievous smile on her face.

"Yes. Grandpa. You are drooling big time." She said.

"No. I am not. I just had coffee." Jacob wiped his mouth.

"So, you do not want soup, since you just had coffee." Elizbeth mimicked him. She was also smiling now.

"No. But, I think you have made plenty. I will have leftovers. We should not waste food. Right my love? Jacob looked at Emma. He looked serious.

"Riiiiight." Emma said and all three of them laughed.

Grandma left to bring soup.

"Okay Emma! I think your grandma is right. You should rest now…" Jacob looked at her.

"Not you too. Grandpa." She interrupted.

"Well I was thinking, if you rest now then we could have a little New Year's Party of our own. You know…" Grandpa was smiling.

"Really? You mean it? Emma got excited. She interrupted again.

"Of course. You know… we can have some of your grandma's famous home baked cookies, your favorite fried chicken and watch Sheen Marlo's concert, live. What do you say? Grandpa looked at her glowing face.

"Yayyyy. I love you grandpa." She exclaimed with joy and excitement.