Risky plan

The sun had set, casting long shadows across the small, cluttered living room. The old man sat in his favorite armchair, his eyes fixed on the van parked behind the house, a look of hopelessness etched on his face. His son, Benjamin, knelt in front of him, grasping his hands.

"You need to pretend to be in pain so I can take you to the hospital." Benjamin leaned in closer, his voice low and earnest, as he conveyed his plan to his father.

The old man sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging. He looked at his son, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and doubt. "I don't know, Ben. It's too risky. They are too powerful. They'll kill us if we try anything."