“Then let’s start by getting you past that gatekeeper. One step at a time, right?.”

  Crystal spoke as she and I walked out from the room and straight into the hallway.

  “So here is the plan, I will pull off a perfect drama that would attract the attention of everyone in the…”

  “Even the gatekeepers?.”

  I asked, my voice laced with curiosity as I walked right next to her.

  “Especially the gate keepers, because I am going to pull out my acting right Infront of them.”

  Crystal spoke, her voice filled with a confidence that made me believe she could pull off anything. The sharp click of her boots echoed in the narrow hallway as we moved quickly, weaving through the darkened corridors.

  I could almost hear the hum of the heavy security systems behind the walls, but with her by my side, they seemed less menacing.

  I glanced over at her, noticing the determined set of her jaw. She was ready. And I had no choice but to follow.

  “You think you can fool them?”

  I asked, skeptically raising an eyebrow.

  Her lips curled into a wry smile, a spark of mischief in her eyes.

  “Not fool them. Just… distract them long enough for you to get through.”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “And if it doesn't work?.”

  She paused, her gaze sharpening.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Then we improvise. That’s what you get when you’ve spent a lifetime slipping through cracks.”

  I took a breath, trying to steady my nerves. She was right. We didn't have the luxury of time or perfect plans. It was all about moving fast, thinking on our feet.

  We reached the main entrance of the building, where a pair of towering gatekeepers stood like silent sentinels. I could feel their cold eyes scanning the hallway, their imposing frames blocking any chance of escape.

  Crystal stopped in her tracks, exhaling deeply.

  “Time to make some noise.”

  I watched as she stepped forward, her shoulders square, her movements calculated. There was no sign of hesitation in her now just the sharp, unwavering focus of someone who knew exactly how to manipulate a situation.

  “Here goes nothing.”

  She muttered under her breath before throwing her arms wide, stepping into the open. Her voice, suddenly theatrical, rang through the hallway.

  “Oh, the injustice! The audacity! How dare they!.”

  I blinked, taken aback. She was playing her part, and the effect was instant. Both gatekeepers turned toward her, their eyes narrowing, their posture stiffening in suspicion.

  I stood still, my heart hammering in my chest. The gatekeepers' eyes fixed on Crystal as she launched into her dramatic performance, her voice rising with exaggerated indignation.

  “Who do they think they are, treating me like this?.”

  She cried out, her hands flailing dramatically.

  “I demand to speak to someone in charge! This is an outrage!.”

  The taller of the two gatekeepers, who was a black dressing exchanged a glance, his brow furrowing slightly. I could see the doubt creeping into his posture, his grip tightening on the handle of his baton. They were buying it at least for the moment.

  I moved a step closer to her, feeling the tension coil in my gut. Crystal’s acting was flawless, but the longer we stayed under their watchful eyes, the more likely they’d see through the ruse.

  Crystal didn’t give them a chance to question her. She threw herself onto the floor with an exaggerated gasp, clutching her chest as if struck by some unseen blow.

  “I... I can’t breathe! I’m,I'm suffocating! Help me!.”

  The second gatekeeper, the younger one, who was also on a black dressing, hesitated for just a moment. His eyes flickered toward his partner, clearly unsure of how to react to this sudden change in the situation.

  I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, but Crystal was playing her part so convincingly that even I was beginning to wonder if she was actually in distress.

  The older gatekeeper stepped forward, his voice rough as he barked.

  “Get up. What’s going on here?.”

  “I told you.”

  Crystal gasped, rolling over to clutch at her throat as if struggling to breathe.

  “I’m... I’m not faking it! I need help! You have to…”

  Before she could finish, the younger gatekeeper leaned in, kneeling beside her.

  “You look pale,”

  He muttered, his voice laced with concern.

  “We should get you to medical.”

  Crystal’s eyes widened, but her voice remained shaky as she coughed dramatically.

  “Please... I’m not…”

  “Alright.”

  The older one interrupted, clearly frustrated but unwilling to risk ignoring her.

  “Fine. We’ll escort you.”

  I held my breath as they started to move toward Crystal, but the younger one’s hesitation lingered in his eyes. I caught a glimpse of his doubt, a crack in his professionalism.

  This was it.

  As they reached down to help her up, I made my move, slipping past them toward the side door. I kept my movements slow, deliberate, pretending to blend in with the chaos she had created. My heart raced as I passed by the guards, not daring to look back.

  Crystal’s voice rang out once more.

  “Hurry, please! I can’t…”

  I was halfway through the door when I heard C

  rystal’s final plea.

  “Get me to medical! Please! Quickly!”

  The door clicked shut behind me, and for a split second, I felt a rush of adrenaline. The hardest part was over.