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Click, snap, thud. Pressure to remain still. Toe firmly pushing into the floorboards. Pain shoots up through leg. Must remain silent. Shadows move past the window. Moonlight shines through a gap in the curtains.  The sirens begin ringing. Here comes the police.

Running through an empty backstreet at 3am. Breathing heavily. Is someone following me? Shallow breathing. Must keep going. The package was concealed and must be delivered by 4. Lives depend on it.

“Come on in,” he said. Figure cloaked in darkness. Stilted movement, forward, then back. Clearly agitated.

“I got it. Here take it. It’s over now.”

“It’s never over.”

“High st, house at the top of the hill. Midnight.”

Walking up the hill, trepidation. Light rain drizzles on a chilly night. Adrenaline coursing through veins. Put hand at back of hat and slowly slide forward. Car with headlights beaming races down the street. Deep breaths.  The house was in complete darkness. Door locked. Reach underneath the mat and feel a key slide between fingers. Key enters door, old lock requires force. Door creeps open.

“Where are they?”

“In the back.”

“Reveal yourself.”

Two men move between shadows, then jump forward without notice. An older man steps out of the shadows. Greying beard, piercing eyes.

“Look kid, You don’t have control.  You have your payment. That is the role of a private investigator. Do your job, be discreet, keep your mouth shut.” Front door swings open and they quickly disappear.

Move to the back of the house. Murmurs coming from one of the bedrooms. Turn handle to reveal two scared kids cowering under a blanket.

“It’s okay, I’ve been sent by your mother.” “Let’s get out of here.”