"Fuck!" Sarah shouted in frustration as she pulled tightly on the steering wheel, fighting to get the car to do what she wanted as it squealed a tight corner through an intersection. Her long blonde hair whipped around her face, obscuring her vision for a second as she fought through the corner.
A light rain was falling, making the road slippery as she wound her way through the empty late night industrial district streets. The sounds of automatic gunfire were a constant from the vehicle behind them. The scent of burning rubber mixed with the acrid taste of gunpowder in the air.
Her leather jacket clung awkwardly to her black tank top, twisted from the chaos. Her vibrant blue eyes scanned behind them for the pursuers in their black SUV. Her heeled black boots weren't meant for driving. Her tight black jeans were ripped along the side from jumping over the hood when her driver crashed mid chase and knocked himself out. "Red, do something about them!"
"I'm fucking trying!" Carina shouted back at her from the backseat, her voice cutting through the chaos. Carina's bright red hair was tied back in a loose ponytail that was coming undone, strands whipping across her face. With a scowl, she braced her black, heeled thigh-high boots against the back seat and wedged her back in between the front seats. Her short, bright green dress contrasted with the pistol in each hand. Her sharp green eyes narrowed as she steadied herself, just as bullets shattered the back window. "Drive straight and give me a chance to shoot dammit!"
With the sounds of gunfire around them and the smell of burning coming from the car, Sarah knew they didn't have long if she kept trying to run. "I'll get you a shot, ready?" She cranked the wheel through another intersection. She could feel her body being thrown to the side. "Make it count!"
"Always do, Blondie!" Carina called back. As the SUV came around the corner, Carina emptied the magazines of her pistols.
As Sarah tried to put the car back into motion, the hood popped up in her vision with a flare of flames. The gas pedal sunk inertly to the floor as the engine made a cacophony of sound. "Out of time, Red! Grab the bag!" Sarah slammed the brakes bringing the car to a screeching halt.
As Sarah threw her shoulder against the door, it creaked and groaned as it caught in refusal. Sarah spun in her seat, leaning across the console and kicked hard with both feet. The door flew open, letting in the cold and wet night air.
With her heart pounding in her chest, Sarah stumbled out onto the slick street. She glanced over and saw Carina already beside her with the blueprint tube strapped tightly over her short dress.
The black SUV had crashed into a concrete wall across the road. The back door was groaning as one of the occupants was trying to open it. Sarah drew a pistol from under her jacket and fired three rounds into the door, halting the movement. Sarah got to her feet and advanced on the SUV. Her boots splashing through puddles was the only sound in the air as she moved in. She couldn't see any movement inside as she approached, but stuck her gun inside and emptied a round into each of the occupants to ensure there would be no pursuit.
She looked back to Carina who was reloading her pistols next to their flaming car. The safe house was another five miles away, and she could hear the wail of police sirens starting to close in on them. "We need to get out of here, Red! Any ideas?" She asked desperately.
Carina looked around in a panic, a sudden dawn of recognition of their location showing in her eyes. "I've got a friend who lives here! Follow me!" She yelled and started running down the street faster than would be expected in heels. Left with no other options, Sarah followed.
As the sirens closed in on them, Carina ran up to a metal door, pending heavily on it. "Curls, it's Ri! Curls get up right now and open this god damned door!"
The door flew open, revealing a lanky man with curly brown hair. The space behind him was pitch black and he was only illuminated by the streetlights. His pajamas were rumpled and his eyes were wild in a panic at being woken up from a dead sleep. "Ri, what the fuck are you -" He froze when he saw their disheveled state and heard the approaching sirens. He grabbed Carina and pulled her inside, looking at Sarah with a mixture of caution and concern.
Carina wrapped him in a tight hug. Sarah eyed the man warily. She tapped her pistol against her thigh. She couldn't see any weapons on him, but she didn't know what was inside.
"You do anything to him and I end you, Blondie." Carina's voice was cold. Sarah's grip tightened on her pistol as her and the man continued their staredown. She didn't have any reason to not trust him, but in her experience that would come with time.
Red and blue lights flashed on the wall nearby, indicating the police were getting closer. Sarah hesitated in the rain as she locked eyes with the man over Carina's head. There was a calm trust and acceptance in his gaze that frightened her. It was like nothing she had ever seen in a man's face before. It was… genuine.
Carina's trust in him would have to be enough. Sarah stepped through the door into the darkness, the door clicking shut as the sirens roared past.
As the door shut out the chaos outside, Sarah found herself in a serene calm of a workshop garage at rest. The smell of grease and the remnants of exhaust fumes permeated the air, mixed with the earthly scent of the rain outside. A car and a large utility truck were parked in two of the bays. A third vehicle was suspended on a jack. Rows of tools hung on the wall in a meticulous array, gleaming faintly in the light filtering in through the high, grimy windows. The floor was surprisingly clean, swept recently, with the brush marks starting to blur from the moisture tracking in from outside.
The hypnotic patter of rain could be heard on the tin roof above, blending with the sirens of police cars and the woosh of their tires in the puddles as they drove past. A small beam of light coming through a doorway above filtered down, casting long shadows through the room.
The man, Curls as Carina called him, released Carina from his embrace. His eyes flickered nervously at Sarah who was still standing by the door, fingering her gun as she battled her natural distrust. He wiped his hands on his pants, a quick, nervous gesture, before finally speaking. "I'm guessing those sirens were for you. Let's talk upstairs." His tone was flat, but with a slight tremor that betrayed his unease. As though dealing with crises in the middle of the night was normal, he didn't wait for their response before he started walking to the lit stairs.
Sarah's gaze darted to Carina, her unease visible in her stance. "Are you sure about this Red?" She whispered, her voice carrying through the cavernous room. Curls paused at the bottom of the stairs at her words, waiting for Carina's response.
Carina looked at Curls with a small, affectionate smile. "Him? Yeah, I'm sure." She said it loud enough to be sure her voice carried to his ears.
That was enough for him. Without another word he started up the staircase, his boots clanging on the metal steps. Carina followed behind, her steps fluid and unhurried.
Left alone for a moment, she noticed the way the city lights filtered in and cast eerie shadows through the workshop. It made it feel more like a trap than a sanctuary. Curls' voice drifted down from above, slightly strained. "The cops are everywhere right now, so, uh, we all know you aren't going anywhere. I have coffee, whiskey and water up here. The sooner you come up the sooner you can have it."
His offer was practical, almost mundane, but it was the closest thing to comfort they had been offered tonight. She climbed the staircase with slow, measured steps, tucking her pistol back under her jacket. At the top, she was greeted with the sight of a cramped studio apartment.
Her eyes locked briefly with his. He met her gaze, but there was a flicker of uncertainty behind the calm facade. His eyes darted between Sarah and Carina, as if trying to steady and conceal his nerves. Sarah let go of some tension she had been holding, though certainly not all of it. "Coffee and whiskey." She said, her voice steadier than she felt.
The kitchen was barely large enough to accommodate the basics. A sink took up half of the counter. A coffee pot and hot plate were nestled together in a corner. A cupboard door hung open, off balance from being attached by a single hinge. Curls reached inside, pulling out mismatched mugs and assorted glasses. He lifted a half full bottle of whiskey at her in a silent query. Sarah nodded her response, not trusting her words yet. Ice clinked softly in a glass as he poured the amber liquid.
Carina had already made herself at home, her heels kicked off at the door, next to a pair of sneakers and worn work boots. She toyed with an action figure she had pulled from a cluttered bookshelf with familiarity. Figurines from comic book movies were scattered through the shelves in an organized chaos, a touch of whimsy in the cramped space.
A small couch dominated the room, facing a coffee table and a large flat screen TV mounted on the wall. Wires ran from the TV to video game consoles that were stacked neatly, controllers in a haphazard array around them, showing regular use. An unmade bed was tucked in a corner furthest from the entrance. Through a half open door, she could see a bathroom, the white tiles starting to crack and yellow.
Sarah took in all the details with quick, practiced glances, looking for escape routes and threats. The more she saw the more the mundane reality of it struck her. It was a lived-in space, worn and imperfect, yet it radiated a comfort.
Sarah hesitated before picking up her own glass, eyeing Curls as she did. His actions and words had been calm, but the tightness in his jaw that betrayed an underlying concern. The whiskey burned a path down her throat, but it was a welcome distraction from the fatigue and exhaustion that was starting to set in.
Carina, always one to break the silence, took a long pull from her glass before speaking. "A guy on our crew burned us." Her tone was casual, like she was discussing the weather. "We got out, but Shaw's crew was after us. A carload of them almost caught us." Her voice caught in her throat as Sarah shot her a warning look, but Carina waved her off, unbothered. "They're dead in their car, about a block from here."
Curls' eyes flicked between them, the news sinking in. He swallowed hard, the lump in his throat visible. "If homicide is going to be involved, it's going to be a mess out there." He spoke with a measured calm, though his fingers drummed nervously on the counter. "You'll have to lay low here tonight. I'll get you out in the morning."
Sarah felt her pulse quicken. Staying in one place, especially a place like this, went against every instinct she had. But the alternative of facing the cops or possibly Shaw's men wasn't better.
"You two can take the bed," Curls continued. "I'll crash on the couch."
Sarah glanced between him and Carina, trying to decipher the nature of their relationship. "You mean you two aren't…?" she started, the question hanging in the air.
Carina grinned mischievously as she ran her hand along Curls' back. "He wouldn't be able to handle it."
Curls chuckled as he poured another drink. "If I recall correctly, Ri, you were the one who wanted out."
The banter was light but carried a depth of history that made Sarah feel out of place. The dynamic between them was comfortable, almost familial, and she was an outsider observing something that was meant to be private.
The scent of rich, freshly brewed coffee mingled with the whiskey in the air, a mix that made Sarah's head swim. Curls handed Carina a mug, already prepared to her liking based on the way Carina accepted it and started drinking. He offered Sarah a mug next, letting her fix it to her liking.
"Thanks, Curls" Sarah murmured, taking a sip and letting the warmth spread through her, mixing with the burn of the whiskey.
Curls leaned back against the counter as he chuckled softly. "Only Ri calls me Curls. But I guess no names is best for today. What should I call you?"
Sarah hesitated, his offer was a nicer gesture than she should expect in his home. "Blondie" she said, the nickname feeling odd on her own tongue. "Carina calls me Blondie"
Curls snorted into his coffee, "She does have a thing for hair nicknames, doesn't she?"
Carina slapped his arm playfully, though her smile carried a hint of embarrassment. "I use other nicknames!"
Curls, still chuckling, took another sip of his coffee. "Sure, but remember Morgan, the guy that had a full beard in 10th grade? You called him The Beard! And Jeff the guy in that ridiculous band? Ruffles!"
Carina's smile faded into a mock glare as she downed the last of her coffee. "Fine, I've got a theme. Now if you don't mind, all I want to do is try to sleep this night off me." She set the mug down with a clink. Without a second thought, she walked over to a small dresser, and with a casual ease stripped off her dress, reaching for an oversized t-shirt.
Sarah's eyes widened as she looked away, shocked by Carina's brazen display. The boldness of her actions spoke volumes about her history with Curls. She couldn't help but notice how Curls studiously avoided looking at Carina, focusing instead on his mug.
"I'll get you a change of clothes." Curls said softly, his voice tinged with awkwardness and concern. "It'll be a little big on you, but it'll be better than torn clothes. You can change in the bathroom."
Sarah nodded, still processing the scene as she took the offered clothes. As she closed the bathroom door, she gave herself a moment to scan the small, worn space. The scent of soap and motor oil was faint in the air. She quickly changed, the oversized t-shirt brushing over and enveloping her skin and the too large boxers needing to be rolled at the waist to fit around her hips.
When she emerged, Carina was already curled up on the bed, her breathing even. Curls was busy rolling out sheets on the couch. His movements were precise, as though trying to bring order back into his life after their intrusion.
Sarah hesitated, watching him for a moment before slipping into the bed beside Carina. The sheets were still warm from him earlier, carrying the same scent of motor oil and fresh soap she had noticed in the bathroom. Her mind buzzed from the events earlier, but exhaustion soon took her, the sound of rain lulling her to sleep.
o-o-o-o-o
Sarah woke with a start, the smell of crackling bacon and fresh coffee mingling with the lingering odor of motor oil and soap that was stuck in the sheets. She sat up, the rough sheets falling to her waist as she processed her surroundings. Her hair was mussed and wild from a restless sleep.
Carina lay beside her, still fast asleep with her face buried in a pillow, oblivious to the activity in the small apartment. Muted voices filtered in through an open window that let in cool, fresh air heavy with the scent of a wet dawn. In the early yellow light, the room felt warmer and more inviting, sunbeams casting patterns against the wall.
Curls stood at the counter, cradling his coffee with both hands, his fingers tracing patterns along the outside. The tension in his posture betrayed the calm facade he was trying to present. "I, uh, thought you might want some pants." He motioned to a lump of clothes at the foot of the bed. "Coffee?"There was a small tremor in his voice.
Sarah tugged the sweatpants on under the covers. "Yes, please." She said, trying to set him at ease. She swung her legs off the bed and stood, watching as Curls carefully prepared her coffee. There was a nervous energy in the way he avoided her gaze, instead focusing on getting the measurements just right, clearly remembering how she had fixed her coffee in the middle of the night.
He placed the coffee down on the table, keeping a cautious distance. His eyes flicked to the window. "There's a road block outside... I don't think we want to wait for them to start knocking on doors. If we leave now, it's too early, but… I think I can get you out in about a half hour."
Sarah sipped the rich coffee, savoring the warmth as it spread through her. "Isn't it going to look odd if three people leave a garage so early?" She asked, watching his reaction closely.
He nodded, running his hand through his curls, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Yeah, it could look suspicious… But if only one person leaving to pick up parts at the start of the day…" He tried to sound confident, but the uncertainty in his voice was evident.
Carina, now awake and listening, finished his thought. "That's actually pretty normal." She said with a grin, trying to ease his mood. She stretch languidly as she rose, the oversized shirt slipping off one shoulder.
Sarah considered his plan, "Sure, but if they decide to check the trunk, then we're done."
Curls chuckled nervously, almost trying to reassure himself. "Won't be a problem… probably." He said, trying to steady his voice. "Trust me, Blondie." He added softly, the sincerity in his eyes making her pause to consider him.
Sarah had known plenty of men over the last twenty seven years of her life, but few had unnerved her as much as an honest one.
As Curls served up the simple breakfast he had prepared for them, Carina moved closer and hugged him, pressing a quick, reassuring kiss into his shoulder. He lifted his arm and pulled Carina into an embrace, kissing the top of her head in a familiar way.
Curls released Carina from the hug. "Let's eat first, then we'll head out." He said, his voice barely masking the tension.
They gathered around the small table. Sarah's eyes met Curls' as he set her plate down with a faint, pleading smile that asked her to trust him for just a little bit longer.
The meal was quiet. The scraping of utensils on plates their only conversation.
Carina's gaze drifted to the window where the voices were starting to grow louder, closer. "We don't have much time." She said softly, breaking the silence.
Curls squeezed Carina's hand, casting one last look at Sarah. For a moment, she saw a mix of anxiety and resolve in his eyes. "Let's finish up. It's time."
o-o-o-o-o
"Ow, God dammit Red, get your knee out of my back!" Sarah cursed quietly in the cramped darkness. Slivers of light cut through the fabric above them, illuminating the tight space just enough to reveal the springs and fabric of the seats above them. The rumble of the engine and splashing of cars through puddles made it impossible to tell where they were going.
Sarah was curled up against the cold steel, with Carina's knee digging into her back and feet uncomfortably close to her head. Their bodies were tangled uncomfortably, muscles screaming in protest from being unable to stretch out. The air was stale, the odor of motor oil and sterile steel was thick, only cut by the rich scent of leather from the blueprint tube and Sarah's jacket near her head.
Curls had warned them to stay quiet as he secured them in the custom built compartment under the back seat. When they had left his garage, a cop had stopped him. Snippets of their conversation filtered through as the cop thoroughly searched the car. Sarah held her breath, her muscles tense, but their hiding spot remained undetected.
A ticking of a turning indicator light could be heard, and Sarah felt her body slide from the force of the turn, her boots hitting the far end and bracing.
Sarah could feel Carina sliding against her, her knee leaving Sarah's back as her head bumped against Sarah's feet. "I'll get my knee out of your back when you get your fucking feet out of my face!" Carina hissed back.
As the car straightened out, they were able to brace and settle into a marginally more comfortable position. The front wheels bounced suddenly, jolting them into the air briefly and crashing down awkwardly into each other.
Sarah braced as the back wheels bounced, jarring them painfully. She winced, unable to control her body in the cramped compartment.
She could feel the car slowing down, the sounds of the street fading and replaced by the din of industrial fans. They were on an incline now, their bodies slowly being pressed towards the back of the compartment.
Sarah felt the car brake gently and the hum of the engine faded. The sound of a car door signaled the end of the tortuous ride. A click echoed throughout the compartment and light streamed in. The smell of wet concrete assaulted her senses as she blinked up at Curls, silhouetted against the faint lights of the parking garage. The two splayed women shuffled uncomfortably in the borrowed t-shirts, sweatpants, and their own heeled boots. The faint hum of fans felt overwhelming compared to the silence of the box.
Curls was above them in his jeans and stained white work shirt. He said that the stained shirt would help convince the police he was just going for parts, and it may have, but Sarah found herself distracted wondering what he looked like actually working on a car.
As Curls helped them out of the compartment, Sarah watched him with a guarded curiosity. There was something about his easy rapport with Carina that made her uneasy. Was it jealousy? Or just frustration at being so dependent on someone she barely knew?
He apologized for the awkward chamber. "I told you it'd get you out though, didn't I?" He grinned, looking pleased with himself.
Sarah scanned the garage for threats on instinct, noting the exits and number of vehicles. The lighting was poor with a few of the lights burned out. The pillars were signed, indicating they were on P3 level. No threats identified.
Carina was stretching, easing cramped muscles from the ride. "I never doubted you, Curls. When did you put the box in?" She gestured to the hidden compartment.
He rubbed his hands on his shirt as he glanced nervously at Sarah. "Uh, I put it in a couple months ago for that job I told you about. The one where we needed to be completely under the radar on the way in."
Carina laughed as she ruffled his hair. "You mean the job that was definitely not under the radar on the way out?" He nodded, a small sheepish smile on his face. "Well, it's clever, like I expect from you." Her tone softened, concern in her eyes. "Just be careful, OK?"
He smiled fondly at her. "You too, Ri. I don't mind you dropping by, but I'd prefer if it was a social visit."
Carina stepped closer to him, lowering her voice. Sarah could just make out the words over the sound of the fans. "You have enough for this month?" Sarah could see him nod imperceptibly, as Carina squeezed his hand before stepping back.
Curls turned and pointed at a nondescript black sedan nearby. "The plates are clean, but it's just a ghost car, nothing too fancy under the hood." He pulled a set of keys from his pocket, offering them to Carina. "Return it when you're done."
Carina took the keys and tossed them to Sarah. "You're driving, Blondie."
Sarah caught the keys, her gaze lingering on Curls. He avoided her gaze, the nervous flicker in his eyes heightening her unease. For someone Carina trusted so deeply, it was odd that she had never mentioned him before. She felt a twinge, a longing for the kind of trust they shared.
She swung her leather jacket over her shoulders, tugging it tight. "Thanks, Curls." She said, her voice tight. "I don't like owing favors-"
"You don't." He interrupted, eyes darting to Carina. "There are no favors between me and Ri. So, in this case that extends to you too, Blondie."
Sarah pursed her lips, frustrated with his generosity. "Fine. No favors. Then just… thanks." She stalked off, her heels clicking on the concrete.
Carina ruffled Curls hair once more and kissed him on the cheek before bouncing up to join Sarah. They heard the low rumble of his car as he pulled out and left them alone in the garage.
Sarah opened her door and climbed into the driver's seat, gripping the steering wheel tight. She glanced at Carina, who settled into the passenger seat with infuriating ease. "Okay, Red. Start talking."