Olivia sat on the bench next to the bus stop, hoodie on covering her, despite the warm weather and sunglasses covering her brown eyes. Her knee kept on thumping against the bench, resisting the urge to tap her foot anxiously.
She checked the time, right on the dot. The bus pulled up, and her target emerged. Liv waited as everyone else piled off, and kept her eyes on the prize, a young woman in scrubs, probably coming home from work.
But Olivia already knew that.
Olivia stood up once the last passenger stepped off, her heart racing with adrenaline. She adjusted her hoodie, pulling it tighter around her to hide any signs of her unease. The sun glinted off her sunglasses, giving her an air of cool confidence, even as her mind raced with the plan she had meticulously crafted.
She followed her home, walking slightly behind her so she wouldn't suspect a thing. When she saw her opening her door, she took a deep breath, and struck.
"Maa'm, excuse me!" Olivia called out, her voice firm yet laced with urgency as she approached the young woman. The scrubs-clad figure paused, turning to face her with a hint of confusion.
"Can I help you?" the woman asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
Olivia took a moment, gauging the woman's reaction before stepping closer. She glanced around to ensure there were no onlookers, then lowered her voice. "I need your help. A man is following me, and I'm scared. Can you let me in? He's around the corner, and I don't know what to do."
The women's face softened, and Olivia's heart raced as the woman's expression shifted from confusion to concern. She stepped closer, just enough to make the woman feel the urgency in her voice.
"Please," Olivia continued, her tone earnest. "I don't know him, but he's been watching me. I thought I was just being paranoid, but I saw him on the bus. I really need your help."
The woman's face then shifted to concern, and she gently grabbed Olivia's arm, guiding her toward the entrance of the small apartment complex. "Come on, let's get you inside," she said, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting a shadow to emerge from the alley.
Olivia maintained her composure, even as her heart pounded in her chest. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. As they stepped into the cool hallway, Olivia could feel the adrenaline surging through her, propelling her forward. This was it.
The woman led her to a small, cozy living room, cluttered but warm. "You can sit here for a moment," she said, gesturing to a worn couch. "I'll grab you some water. Just take a breath; you're safe now, honey."
Olivia made sure the door was locked before she nodded. "I'm sorry for the bother. I truly am." She truly was, the lady seemed nice.
The woman smiled at her, unaware of the double meaning behind her words. "Honey, don't worry about it-"
Olivia pulled out her gun, the cold metal feeling weird on her skin. In one fluid motion, she raised it, her voice steady but edged with intensity. "I'm sorry, but I need you to listen carefully."
The woman's eyes widened in shock, and she took a step back, instinctively raising her hands in surrender. "What are you doing?" she gasped, confusion and fear flickering across her features.
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be," Olivia said, keeping her gaze fixed on the woman. "Kelly Sinclair, isn't it?"
The woman gaped at Olivia, her mouth falling open as she processed the turn of events. "How do you know my name?" she stammered, backing further into the room as if she could somehow escape the reality of the situation.
"I know a lot of things," Olivia replied, her voice steady but cold. "And I know you work at Fox River Pentairy as a technical nurse in informatics. I need you to ."
Kelly was visibly shaken, her hands trembling slightly as she took in Olivia's words. "Why are you doing this? I don't understand!"
"Because you're in a position to help me," Olivia replied, her voice firm. "So you're gonna get on your landline, and talk to the warden, and quit. Don't worry, I have another job lined up for you. Because I'm just that nice."
Ironic to say as she was holding a gun to someone's head. "But if you don't quit, a bullet will go through your head, and you've probably seen that most people don't survive a headshot."
Kelly's face paled as the realization hit her, the warmth of the room turning icy. "You can't be serious," she whispered, trembling.
"I am very serious," Olivia replied, her voice cold as steel. "So make the call, or this will end badly for you. Your choice."
Kelly's hands shook as she slowly reached for the landline phone on the small table beside the couch, her eyes darting nervously between Olivia and the gun that was aimed steadily at her. The air felt thick with tension, each second stretching out longer than the last.
"Please, just think about what you're doing," Kelly pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is my career... I can't just—"
"Then make the call," Olivia interrupted sharply, her grip on the gun tightening slightly. "I told you I have another job for you, but if you don't comply, you won't live long enough to work there."
Kelly's eyes darted around the room, her pulse racing. She could see the desperation in Olivia's posture — the way she held the gun with trembling hands, but her eyes were fierce, determined. She had no choice; the fear of what might happen if she didn't comply was too great.
With a shaky breath, Kelly reached for the phone, her fingers trembling as she picked it up. "Okay, okay. I'll call. Just... just don't hurt me."
"That's the plan," Olivia replied, her voice unwavering. She watched intently as Kelly dialed, her own heart pounding in her chest, the adrenaline surging through her veins. The seconds felt like hours as she waited for the line to connect.
As the phone rang, Kelly's face was a mix of fear and resignation. Olivia could see the gears turning in her mind as she tried to figure out a way to wriggle out of the situation, but Olivia wasn't about to let that happen. She had come too far to let someone back out now.
Finally, a voice answered on the other end. "Fox River Penitentiary, how can I help you?"
"Um... this is Kelly Sinclair. I need to speak to the Warden."
"Hold, please," the operator replied, and Olivia could feel the tension mount in the air.
Kelly swallowed hard, the phone pressed to her ear as she nervously shifted in her seat. "Warden. It's Kelly Sinclair. I... I need to resign. Effective immediately."
"What? Kelly, this isn't like you. Is something wrong?" The voice on the other end was laced with concern.
"I can't talk right now. Just... I need to quit," Kelly stammered, her voice wavering.
Olivia felt a surge of impatience as the operator's voice came back, questioning Kelly further. "Is this a joke? You need to provide at least two weeks' notice."
"Two weeks?" Kelly exclaimed, her voice rising. "I can't wait two weeks! I'm serious! I'm done! I'm out!"
Olivia could see the fear in her eyes, and she took a small step forward, ensuring Kelly knew the stakes were real. "Tell him you're done with the inmates walking all over you, and that he didn't do anything to help you."
Kelly held her breath, the reality of the situation crashing down on her. "I'm done with this job," she reiterated, her voice shaking but firm. "I can't work there anymore. Please, just let me go!"
"Kelly, calm down," the warden's voice said. "We can talk this through. What's going on?"
Olivia felt the tension in the air thicken, her grip on the gun tightening as she leaned closer. "Tell him you're afraid," she whispered, her voice low and steady. "Tell him you're scared for your life."
Kelly's eyes widened, and for a moment, she hesitated. But with a quick glance at Olivia, who radiated unwavering intensity, she relented.
"I'm scared for my life!" she shouted into the phone. "I can't stay! I'm afraid of the inmates, of everything that's happening! I need to go!"
There was a pause on the other end, and Olivia could hear the warden's confused response. "This is highly unprofessional, Kelly. We can arrange for you to talk to someone if you—"
"Just let me go!" Kelly cried, her voice breaking. "I can't do this anymore!"
Olivia took a deep breath, sensing that they were at a tipping point. "Just hang up the phone," she instructed, her tone low and commanding. "It's over."
With a shaky hand, Kelly ended the call, her breath coming in short gasps as she looked at Olivia. "I've done what you asked. Can you not hurt me, please?"
"Don't worry, I keep my promises." Olivia took off her hoodie, but she was wearing a mask, so Kelly couldn't see her face. She saw a flurry of straight red hair, but nothing she could identify to police. "But just to make sure you don't go off and start withdrawing your resignation or going to the police, let's take a look at this."
Olivia took out a picture from her pocket, and Kelly's eyes widened as she saw her mother in it.
Kelly's voice started to tremble, and Olivia actually felt bad, knowing she didn't know she wouldn't hurt her mother. But she had to make sure she wouldn't go to the police, at least not yet until this was all over.
"A little insurance. A reminder that I know everything about you, and if you go to the police or tell anyone that you saw me, your mother will face consequences she doesn't deserve," Olivia said, her voice dripping with cold intensity. She stepped closer, the picture held firmly in her grasp, emphasizing the threat without needing to spell it out. "Are we clear?"
Kelly took a shaky breath, tears glistening in her eyes as she processed the gravity of the situation. "Y-yes," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I won't tell anyone. I swear."
Olivia nodded, her expression softening just a fraction. "I don't want to hurt you, Kelly. I just need you to understand how serious this is. You're free now — don't make me regret this."
Kelly nodded fervently, her hands trembling as she tried to regain some semblance of composure. "I won't. I promise." She glanced at the picture again, her mind racing with a mix of fear and gratitude for the chance to escape.
"Good." Olivia stepped back, keeping her gun steady but lowering it slightly. "I'm sorry about this, Kelly." She repeated her words from before, walking towards the door, before Kelly could respond. Olivia turned to leave, feeling a rush of adrenaline as she exited the apartment. She paused for a brief moment outside the door, steadying her breath.
She had to do that. For Michael. For Lincoln. For her family.
A car pulled up to the address, right on time. A sleek black car with tinted windows and a low profile rolled up to the curb. Olivia glanced back at the apartment door, then slid into the vehicle, closing the door behind her. The interior was cool and dark, the soft hum of the engine a comforting contrast to the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
"Are you hurt?" Olivia smiled at the first thing Michael said as she settled into the passenger seat. He was all sharp angles and intensity, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of distress.
"I feel like I should be askingyouthat, y'know, considering you got your whole body tattooed. Let me see!" Olivia reached for Michael's arm, brushing her fingers against the intricate designs etched into his skin, tracing the lines of ink as if it held some kind of secret as he drove away from the apartment complex. "But yes, I am fine. She complied. The plan is set. She was so nice though, I just felt bad for her for a moment."
Michael shot her a sidelong glance, his expression a mix of concern and reluctances. "I shouldn't have involved you in this-"
"If you say that one more time I will literally rip my hair out. Oh, speaking of that." Olivia took off her hoodie, and ripped her wig off, revealing her dyed, blonde hair, which cascaded over her shoulders. The tension in the car shifted slightly as she revealed her true self, and Michael's expression softened, his lips quirking into a small smile.
"That wasn't funny."
"Yes it was. I'm the funniest person alive."
"Then the world must have horrible taste." When Olivia nudged him with her elbow, he chuckled, but quickly grew serious again. "I'm serious. You had to threaten a woman in order to help me. I should have never brought you into this mess. You shouldn't have had to do that."
Olivia turned to him, her expression firm. "You're my best friend. I would do anything for you. I would sacrifice my own comfort, my safety — anything — to protect you. To protect Lincoln. You know that."
Michael sighed, running a hand through his hair, his eyes focused on the road ahead. "I know."
"Then get it through your head that I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty for you both, okay?"
Michael stared at her as he parked into his garage as she traced the tattoos on his arms that peeked out, part of him wanting to argue and just server her out of the plan completely in order to make sure she was safe, the other part of him knowing he couldn't do this without his best friend by his side. He knew her fierce determination, the way she threw herself into danger without a second thought for her own safety. It both amazed and terrified him.
"Okay," he finally said, his voice low but resolute. "Just promise me you'll be careful. We can't afford any mistakes."
Olivia nodded, her gaze steady. "I promise. But you have to promise me something too. No more guilt trips. We're in this together, and I won't let you shoulder all the weight."
Michael opened his mouth to protest, but the look in her eyes silenced him. He took a deep breath, relenting. "Fine. Together."
With that, they got out of the car, making their way into Michaels loft. The large space was filled with the dim glow of overhead lights, casting shadows across the bulletin board adorned with plans and blueprints that outlined their next steps.
Lincoln's picture was in the center, filled with other newspapers, files of evidence, sketches of possible escape routes, files that Olivia hacked from multiple databases, and various other details they had pieced together in their relentless pursuit to break him out. Olivias computers were scattered across a nearby table, the screens flickering with lines of code and security feeds.
In one fluid motion, both of them made their way over. Michael snatched the papers from the bulletin board, ignoring the paper cuts and knicks he got from the rough edges and paper clips. He stuffed the papers that had been collecting and sitting there for ages into a bag to burn later.
Meanwhile, Olivia had taken out all her computers, laptops, and gotten a hammer from the nearby toolbox, smashing them with a satisfying crunch, fragments flying across the table. She got a bag to put them in to burn as Michael took it from her, turning on the fireplace and placing the bag in the hearth. Flames licked at the edges, devouring the evidence of their digital footprints.
Then he took the hard drives she had designed and threw it into the lake down below the balcony outside of his apartment, watching as it sank into the bottom of the water to hide and erase all of the details of their plan.
Olivia watched as the hard drive disappeared beneath the surface, a weight lifting off her shoulders as Michael walked back towards her, a smirk on his face. It made her think of the first time he had told her about the plan, of how he needed her to help get Lincoln out or he was going to die.
"We can't let Lincoln rot in there." Olivia had told him one night while she was comforting him. It was the night he was locked up. His apartment was dark and filled with tension, the air heavy with their shared worry.
Michaels jaw set, and something clouded in his eyes. An idea. A plan. A means to an end. A way to save his brother. Olivia noticed the determination that flickered to life within him, igniting a spark of nervousness. What was he thinking?
"There's only one thing we can do." He stared at Olivia, as if she could read his mind. And it honestly seemed she could. Because a second later, a questioning glint in her eye made it clear that she realized what he was talking about.
The question was, would she help him?
"We break him out?" She finished, her voice barely above a whisper. The gravity of the suggestion hung in the air between them, electrifying and terrifying all at once.
Michael nodded slowly, his expression unwavering. His hand rested on the table, fingers brushing against the edges of her own. "We break him out."
Olivia broke out of the memory when the sound of crackling flames drew her back to the shook her head, dispelling the remnants of that night and the gravity of the decisions that had led them here.
"Ready?" Michael asked, his voice pulling her fully into the moment. The flickering shadows cast by the fire danced across his face, and for a brief second, she caught a glimpse of the man who was willing to do anything to save his brother.
She handed him a duffel bag that was filled with what he needed to rob the bank, a reassuring smile on her face. She had to be strong for him. "Ready."