"So, here's the plan," Kelvin said, his voice firm and filled with purpose as he surveyed the tense faces gathered around him.
Something told him that this was the last time he was going to see these faces. Most of them were likely not going to survive the ambitious plan that they had, but he didn't let that cloud his mind.
He took a brief moment to make sure everyone was listening, and then he started. "I'm going to start now. I'm going to ask them to take me to the bush to take a shit. Once we're outside, I'll make a run for it as cleanly as I can".
"Exactly five minutes after I leave with two of the armed men, you lure the others in, take them out as quietly as possible, then go after Scar". Kelvin gritted his teeth. "Finish that monster, grab his phone, alert the police, take the truck keys, and find a way to link up with the main expressway".
Everyone nodded, the gravity of the situation reflected in their somber expressions. The plan was bold; dangerous even, but it was their only real chance.
They could already feel their hearts beating faster.
But there was no going back now.
"Understood," several murmured, their voices low but resolute.
Kelvin's gaze lingered on them, he hesitated before saying. "If I don't make it… tell my mom I died a hero. She'll be proud of me".
A heavy silence followed, charged with emotion. Kelvin's courage was undeniable, and they were all painfully aware of the risk he was taking. A few offered solemn nods, their respect for him deepening.
"Good luck". Mr. Akin muttered with a serious expression on his face.
Kelvin forced a smile in his direction.
Then he turned toward the door, putting on a show. "Heyyy, anyone in here?" He shouted. "I wanna take a shit! I'm pressed! You wouldn't want me pooping on the floor, right?"
Moments later, the door creaked open. One of the guards glanced in and uttered a curse. "Lead the way," the man said gruffly.
Two armed men accompanied Kelvin out of the warehouse. As they walked down the narrow bush path, Kelvin tried to stay calm, his eyes scanning the terrain. It was quiet, eerily so.
"The plan's working," he muttered to himself with a small smile.
But he didn't let his guard down. Each step took him further from the warehouse. Then, he picked up the pace.
"Hey! Slow down!" One of the men barked behind him. "Stop walking so fast!"
Kelvin pretended not to hear. He glanced back briefly, gauging the distance, then quickened his steps again, breaking into a jog.
"I said slow down! Slow down or I'll blow your damn brains out!" The guard shouted, voice sharp with suspicion.
Kelvin knew it was now or never.
He dove suddenly into the underbrush, vanishing into the thickets.
"Get him!" One of the guards screamed as both crashed after him in a flurry. "Don't let him escape!" He screamed.
Kelvin ran like a man possessed. Branches whipped at his face, thorns scraped his arms, but he didn't stop. The forest closed in around him, dark and suffocating. Behind him, boots pounded the ground.
The chase was on.
Every breath was fire in his lungs. Every step was a fight against fear. But Kelvin's mind stayed locked on one thing; freedom.
He darted through the trees, weaving around roots and leaping over fallen logs. The yells of his pursuers grew fainter. He was gaining ground.
Then his foot caught on a root.
Kelvin crashed to the forest floor with a cry, his hands breaking the fall. Pain shot through his leg as he twisted his ankle. Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself upright, limping forward.
That was when the shot rang out.
BANG!
The bullet tore through the air, piercing his back and ripping out through his chest.
Kelvin collapsed. His world dimmed.
It was over.
…
Back at the warehouse, five minutes had passed. The others knew it was time.
"We need to lure the rest of the guards in," Mr. Akin said urgently.
"Leave that to me," Madam Benita said, stepping forward with fierce determination.
She opened the door and screamed. "Help! Somebody help! Somebody just collapsed!"
The two remaining guards snapped to attention. Without hesitation, they rushed toward the room.
As Madam Benita lay on the floor pretending to be unconscious, the rest of the group exchanged tense glances. Every second counted.
"What happened?" One of the guards demanded, kneeling beside her.
"She just collapsed!" Mr. David said, feigning panic. "We need medical help! Call Captain Scar!"
"No. We don't disturb Scar during his quiet time," the other guard replied sharply. "He doesn't like it".
The group exchanged confused glances, but there was no time to dwell on the remark. The guards had their rifles slung on their backs; dangerously close, but not in hand.
Then… movement. Sudden, unexpected.
Mr. Akin struck first.
He launched forward and dove a brutal kick into the back of one guard, sending him crashing to the ground. In a flash, Mr. Akin was on him, grappling for the weapon.
The second guard barely had time to react before Mr. David tackled him from the side. The others piled in, fists and elbows flying in a desperate brawl.
The room descended into chaos.
Mr. Akin fought like a man possessed, forcing the rifle from the guard's hands in a violent struggle. With a final punch to the temple, he knocked the man cold.
The other guard writhed under the weight of the attackers. Mr. David twisted the man's arms behind his back while another inmate landed a hard punch to the ribs. The man buckled gasping.
Then Mr. David delivered a final blow to the jaw, knocking him out.
Breathing heavily, the group stepped back, staring at the two unconscious bodies.
They'd done it.
They had fought back.
"Good job, everone," Mr. Akin said, voice low bur urgent. "Now let's move quickly. We need to find Scar… and end this".