Close To Death

I quickly turned my head toward the door, my heart pounding.

Then, a deep voice boomed from the other side:

"FBI! Open up now, or we're coming in by force!"

Panic hit us like a storm.

Rio, trembling, whispered, "What do we do now? They're going to arrest us!"

Leo muttered under his breath, "Let's take them out."

David shot him an angry glare. "Are you stupid, Leo? How the hell are we supposed to fight them? Follow me—we're escaping through the back door!"

Without hesitation, we followed David.

As soon as we reached the door, he took a step back and sprinted at it, kicking it open with a powerful blow.

At that very moment, the police crashed through the front door.

Fear overtook us.

Without wasting a second, we dashed through the fields behind the house, running through the night as thick fog covered the area.

Meanwhile, the masked police chief stepped over the shattered back door, his fists clenched in fury.

"Damn it! They got away. Spread out across the town and bring me Shadow and his crew!"

—

After what felt like hours of running, David finally stopped, gasping for breath.

"I can't… run anymore," he panted, collapsing onto the grass.

We all dropped to the ground, our chests rising and falling rapidly.

Suddenly, a faint sound reached my ears.

A hiss.

Before I could react, a snake shot toward us, its fangs bared.

With lightning speed, it sank its teeth into Leo's backside.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!" Leo screamed, jumping to his feet, the snake still hanging from him.

He spun in circles, trying to shake it off, until it finally fell to the ground.

We burst out laughing.

For the first time in years, I actually laughed.

But our moment of relief didn't last long.

Rio, in his usual stupidity, pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

I snapped at him. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?! We're in a field full of dry grass!"

Leo, still recovering from the snake bite, shifted uncomfortably, sensing something beneath him.

A second later, flames erupted under his backside.

"WHAT IS WITH YOU GUYS AND MY ASS?!" he roared, jumping up in panic.

Before we knew it, the fire spread rapidly across the field, trapping us in the center.

"Follow me! I know how to deal with fires!" I shouted, leading the way.

We sprinted as the flames chased us.

Then—

David tripped.

The fire rushed toward him.

For a moment, I thought it was over for him.

But something inside me refused to let that happen.

I ran back, grabbing David's hand and pulling him up.

Then—

The worst-case scenario unfolded before our eyes.

The fire completely surrounded us.

There was no way out.

Leo's voice trembled. "What now?!"

Rio clenched his fists. "This isn't the end! We have dreams to chase!"

Without thinking, he ripped off his shirt and started beating at the flames.

Leo followed suit.

Then David.

Then me.

We waved our clothes desperately, trying to push the fire back.

But it wasn't enough.

The flames kept closing in.

Rio lowered his arms. "I guess… this is it."

We all exchanged glances, then shut our eyes, bracing ourselves for the inevitable.

—

Blaring sirens.

A sudden rush of water.

I snapped my eyes open.

Through the smoke, silhouettes appeared around us.

As the haze cleared, we saw them—

Police officers.

Surrounding us.

Five officers, their guns aimed at our heads.

One of them barked, "Get down on the ground! Hands over your heads! The whole area is surrounded!"

We had no choice.

Lying side by side, I heard David whisper, "Looks like this is really the end."

But I refused to accept it.

In a low voice, I said, "We're not done yet. We go with Plan B. On three."

"One."

"Two."

"Three—GOOOOOO!"

I sprang up, snatching the gun from the officer closest to me.

In one swift motion, I kicked his legs out from under him and fired.

BANG!

My first kill.

The second officer raised his gun at me—

But David tackled him to the ground, beating him mercilessly.

Blood splattered everywhere.

Meanwhile, Rio punched another cop in the gut.

But before he could finish him off—

BANG!

A bullet lodged into Rio's shoulder.

Leo, without hesitation, grabbed the officer's weapon and gunned him down.

The last officer turned and ran.

I chased after him—

Then collapsed.

Pain shot through my leg.

I had been shot.

David's face was covered in blood.

Rio and Leo were barely standing, their bodies battered and bruised.

Rio extended a hand to me. "Come on, Shadow. You brought us together. Don't give up now."

David wiped the blood from his mouth. "I didn't think I had this in me… but if I go to prison for my best friend, so be it."

Leo, his breathing ragged, muttered, "We need a hideout. We still have plans to make."

I forced myself to stand, gritting my teeth. "I know the perfect place."

Slowly, painfully, we limped through the fields, leaning on each other.

And after what felt like an eternity—

We reached the last place I ever thought I'd return to.

My parents' house.