Under the harsh glow of a silver LED bulb stationed overhead, four men gathered at a square table in an abandoned room, junk strewn across the dirty cement floor. Hands folded across broad chests, slightly heavy breaths and an occasional sigh as all four gazed down intently at the blueprint of a building spread before them on the table.
The atmosphere, tense.
“Are you sure we can pull this off?" Simon rubbed his hand over his face for the umpteenth time. This wasn't the first or tenth time he had asked if they were going to succeed in their plans.
Shaking his head and taking a seat, Tim clasped his fingers together tightly, “It has to work. It has to. We've got no choice man,"
Simon's eyes began to glint in the stark white light, “You know what's at stake man if this doesn't work out. It's fucking Christmas man. There will be consequences," his voice broke a little.
“What consequences?" Matthew stepped into the light, glaring eyes directed at Simon, the diagonal scar across his face looking more uglier. “You're supposed to believe that this will work out because it will. You know this is our only ticket out. The only way!" His fist connected with the wooden table, making it wobble terribly.
“Alright, alright," Damian stepped forward, giving Matthew a pat on the back. “Calm down, okay?"
Matthew gave a stiff nod and walked to the right end of the room to grab one of the broken plastic chairs that lay on its side.
Taking a look at the faces around him, Damian indeed wondered if they'd be able to pull off robbing a federal bank on Christmas day. And he wondered if one of them would pull out at the last minute, a shiver of fear running down his spine.
Might need a contingency he thought.
He didn't put this team together for nothing and getting that money out of the vault on Christmas day was the only chance they'd get. Ever.
Taking a deep breath, he took his position at the head of the table kicking away an empty can of beer.
“I know that we are all scared," he began, eyes darting from one face to another. Under the harsh lighting, his black eyes and unruly afro hair made him look rabid.
“It is a risky thing that we want to do but I urge you all to stick to the plan and focus on the prize. If this goes well, we'll be set for life. You all know this. We're talking about billions of Naira here!” Damian clapped his hands suddenly.
"Our share of the national cake,” Matthew smirked.
Damian clapped again, "Exactly, thank you Matthew. He sees the bigger picture,” his eyes locked with Simon's who was trying really hard to see the bigger picture, "And you should too,” Damian said calmly.
Nodding several times, Simon stood up to clasp Damian's outstretched hand in a manly handshake, "I know. I got you man,”
You'd better.. Damian thought wryly.
"Let's go over the plan one last time, just to cover any loops,” Tim stepped back into the light and smoothed a hand over the fine blueprint of the Federal Bank Of Nigeria. Stealing the blueprint from the bank's vault nearly cost him his life which then made him a wanted criminal.
Luckily they didn't get his face.
“This might be our last Christmas Eve together, so let's make sure we get to see another one,” Matthew said with passion.
"Merry fuckin Christmas!” Damian clapped and laughed.
Meanwhile as the four men plotted their activities for the next day, the Christmas chill could be felt in the air.
CHRISTMAS DAY. 11:00am.
“Everyone on the floor!" Matthew cocked the brown rifle in his hand and fired a shot to the roof, knocking down three light bulbs.
Panicked screams filled the air as the staff of the Federal Bank Of Nigeria scrambled to the cold tiled floor, bodies shaking.
The Federal Bank Of Nigeria being robbed has never been heard of before. Especially on the day of Christmas.
“You heard him! Face down on the ground now!" Damian and Tim stepped in through the revolving doors, carrying large bags.
Communicating through hand signals only, Matthew was to watch the hostages and keep them in place.
“Today is not the day to be a hero. Anyone that moves will get hurt and I will not hesitate," Matthew banged the butt of his rifle on the reception counter causing several of the hostages to cry out in terror.
“Silence!" He thundered, turning his eyes from the nation's coat of arms embedded on the wall behind the reception desk.
Giving him a stiff nod, Damian motioned to Tim to follow him. Having already memorized the blueprint, he had no difficulty locating the exact vault that held the target money.
The only obstacle they faced was time.
With swift and smooth movements, Tim and Damian got to work, placing explosives on the door of the vault and getting the bags ready. Exchanging a brief eye contact and curt nods, Damian pressed a button. The whole room lit up with bright light and the walls shook with the sound of the explosion. Immediately an automated voice came on the speakers chanting:
”BREACH! BREACH! COMMENCING EMERGENCY PROTOCOL!"
“Was that supposed to happen?" Tim whispered fearfully.
“No!" Damian whispered back, dragging an empty bag into the vault.
“Let's get the money and get out," he ordered.
”BREACH! BREACH! CONTACTING SECURITY!"
If it were just a regular robbery, Damian would have taken the time to enjoy the sight of piles and piles of mint notes freshly printed just sitting in tall stacks waiting to be dispersed. Hell, he'd have even taken a photo to document the memory as one doesn't come by this amount of money everyday. But this wasn't part of the plan. Simon didn't fucking tell them that a robot could call the cops.
A huge oversight on his part. Now, they're all fucked.
Shaking his head as if to shake out the fear, he glanced at Tim who was hurriedly stacking money into one of the bags. Two bags were filled up already and there were five more to go.
“We just gotta hurry," he muttered.
“Guys! Guys! SARS! SARS!" Simon screeched in their ears through the comms unit.
“What?" Tim shouted and dropped the cash in his hands.
“How did they get here so quick?"
“I knew this was a bad idea, man," Simon sobbed.
Damian inhaled through his mouth, “Simon, stay where you are, we're coming out," he grabbed two bags.
“Let's go," Tim nodded.
“Out the back," Damian called out to Matthew who then ran towards them as they made their way to the back.
If we make it out alive and free, I am so going to deal with Simon. Damian vowed.
The man had only one job. Just one job.
Eyes darting left and right for any sign of the police, they jogged towards their exit point at the opening of the underground garage.
“Thank God," Matthew muttered as soon as they saw the black van waiting for them in a corner.
“Simon has a lot of explaining to–" Damian choked on the last word, eyes widening in shock.
Oh no.
“I'm so sorry, I'm sorry," Simon sobbed on his knees with a gun pointed to his head.
“Drop your weapons, hands in the air. Now!" The SARS agent holding Simon at gun point ordered.
Simon continued to sob like a baby as his team members dropped their weapons and got to their knees, oblivious to the death stares they all directed at him.
“More suspects caught in the garage trying to escape, send agents here while the rest conduct a thorough sweep of the building to fish out any other criminal,” another SARS agent could be heard speaking into the comms unit.
This is not over, Damian vowed as he was cuffed and was led into the van.
"Merry Christmas,” the SARS agent chuckled before slamming the door in their face.
SARS - Special Anti Robbery Squad
Image is mine..
Merry Christmas! 🎄✨