LOVE AND JUST

~WESTBROOK - NEW YORK ~ ( 8pm ) Staring at the group outside, she felt her stomach twitch. Something she couldn’t put a finger on — whether it was fear, remorse, or judgment. Eliza sat on the couch, wondering if she would live like this forever. Caleb had nothing to show that he was ending this life soon. She watched through the window as people sat around the bonfire, chatting. Raising her legs onto the couch, she wrapped her arms around them, with her head buried in her thighs. “Headache?” Caleb’s voice came from the doorway, looking at her with a raised brow and a hint of concern on his face. Eliza raised her head and feigned a small smile. “No, just tired,” she said, shaking her head. “Alright, go have some rest then. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day for us,” Caleb said before setting his glass of whisky on the shelf behind her. Eliza stood up. With small strides, she made her way to her room. As she lay in bed, her mind flashed back to the mission they had embarked on that very day. The old lady and her grandson, who had been knocked out by Caleb so he could take the money she had just withdrawn from the bank. They had robbed the bank and taken everything, yet her greedy brother wouldn’t let the poor lady keep the money. This was money she had probably been saving for about three years. Just like that, he took it from her within minutes, leaving the baby on the floor. Eliza felt guilty, and yet willing to do more for her beloved brother. Even if it meant hurting others. He had sacrificed so much for her — even killed people for money just to cater for his only sister. She helped him with his missions because Caleb had made it clear to her that politicians and wealthy people in the country were cruel and selfish. They only cared about their families and not the people on the streets. Besides, the money in the banks was mostly for the wealthy and elites. He believed they manipulated the citizens and found ways of taking money from them — even their last penny. They called it tax and took it away regardless of their status. He had preached to her throughout her childhood about how corrupt the country was, and about a system of government that didn’t favor most citizens, only the politicians and their selfish gains. He once told her , _“In this country there’s no job for us on the streets. The government doesn’t favor us. Their system will only make the rich man richer and the poor man poorer so he can work for the rich man, yet he still can’t have enough money and will forever remain poor.”_ This had settled in Eliza’s mind. It was ingrained in her that by whatever means, they must make money. If that meant robbery, she would do it. If it meant murder, she didn’t really mind. Now she did this to please her brother. She loved him deeply, and in doing as he said, she believed it was a fitting way to show appreciation for his efforts and sacrifices. She pulled her blanket over herself, trying to sleep. But it took hours before she finally fell asleep. Morning came earlier than usual. Perhaps she had slept late and didn’t get enough rest. The time was the same as every day — not too fast, not too slow. She put on her morning robe and slippers. Treading on the marble tiles in her room, she came out. She saw Caleb busily working on paperwork before him, with a serious demeanor. She walked closer to stand behind his chair and placed her hands on his left shoulder. “Good morning, brother,” she said with a smile. Caleb set the pencil down and reached for her hand. Rubbing her hand, he gave it a squeeze. “Good morning, sunshine,” he replied. “Should I get you some tea?” Eliza asked, heading toward the kitchen. “Yeah, that’ll do.” He looked confused, staring carefully at the paperwork on the table. “Any mess-ups?” she asked before setting his cup of tea beside him. “Yeah, I guess. Please help me wake those lazy boys up. They’ll sleep till daybreak if we let them,” he said, erasing something on the paper. “Sure,” Eliza said, giggling. The “boys” he mentioned were his friends from the streets — more like family. They’d been in this work together for years. Soon the group was gathered around the long table with a sketched building plan. Caleb began assigning roles and the timing for the day’s mission. “Victoria, you’ll be in front of the bank. Disguise yourself — headphones and glasses. Grab some coffee and sit on the bench outside the bank. Just keep watch, and if anything’s odd, let us know.” He pointed at her. “Roger that,” she replied with a chuckle. “Julien, get the van ready on the streets downtown and wait for us there. Damien will hire a cab to pick us up to your place. Damien, you park the car beside the bank and make sure the CCTV camera is destroyed. You know how it’s done,” he said with a smirk, and the others laughed knowingly. He continued, “But before that, make sure I’ve succeeded in distracting the security and knocked him out first. That’ll be away from the camera’s reach, of course. After that, you go get the cab and wait for us in front of the bank.” Caleb went on. “Marco, Belle, and Eliza — you guys will come in with me. After you hear my whistle, pull out your pistols and make sure no one leaves the bank until we’re done. Eliza and I will get the money while you two handle the customers and employees.” He spoke like the expert he was. “Damien, you won’t come home straight with us. After you drop us downtown, drive the cab to the workshop on the left of the road, before the pigstand club. Then leave immediately.” “We good?” he asked the group. “Yeah, yeah,” they answered in unison. “Good. You know how it’s done. Neat. One time. And no traces.” He ended. They all started picking up their weapons and getting ready to leave. They were professional armed robbers — not just ordinary, but experienced. They were a group of seven, and they’d been in this work for years. Surprisingly, they hadn’t been caught, not even once. Not that the police in the town were incompetent, but these robbers were well briefed and always one or even two steps ahead of the police. ---