Nine- Seven

I darted across the parking lot, keeping low and using the parked cars as cover. I reached Linda’s car quickly, my heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and anxiety. The thought of being caught made me tense, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

I carefully examined the lock on the driver’s side door, retrieving my lock-picking tools from a hidden pocket. With practiced precision, I worked on the lock, my fingers moving deftly. It clicked open with a satisfying sound, and I quickly slipped inside, closing the door behind me as quietly as possible.

Inside the car, I crouched down, hiding as best as I could while keeping an eye on the entrance of the parking lot. I checked my watch, noting the time. Atlas had given me a tight window, and I needed to be ready.

The minutes ticked by slowly, each one feeling like an eternity. My mind raced with possibilities—what if Linda didn’t come out? What if she got a driver for herself? Just as doubt started to creep in, the entranc