Chapter 11: The Girl With the Key

They were closing in.

One step.

Then another.

No one rushed.

No one shouted.

It was as if they already knew we had nowhere to run.

The woman in black stopped a few metres away.

"You've caused us enough trouble, Maya."

"I don't even know who you are."

"No."

She smiled.

"But your brother did."

My chest tightened.

"What did you do to him?"

"I gave him a choice."

"And?"

"He made the wrong one."

Samuel raised his gun.

"Don't say another word."

The woman glanced at the weapon and laughed.

"You still think bullets can stop us?"

She snapped her fingers.

Within seconds, two men grabbed Samuel from behind.

The gun fell into the grass.

"No!" I screamed.

My mother ran towards him, but another man blocked her path.

"Leave him alone!"

The woman ignored us.

She kept her eyes on me.

"Give me the key."

"I don't know what it opens."

"You don't need to."

She stretched out her hand.

"Just hand it over."

I slowly reached into my hoodie.

My mother's eyes widened.

"Maya, don't!"

The key felt cold against my fingers.

For a moment...

I actually considered giving it to her.

Maybe all of this would end.

Maybe they would leave us alone.

Then I remembered the note.

Whatever happens... don't let them take that key.

I pulled my hand out.

Empty.

"I don't have it."

The woman's smile vanished.

"You've just made this much harder."

She nodded at one of her men.

He walked straight towards me.

Before he could reach me...

Daniel's voice rang out across the field.

"Run, Maya!"

Everyone turned.

Daniel stood on top of a small hill, breathing heavily.

He wasn't alone.

Three police vehicles raced down the dirt road with their sirens blaring.

This time...

They were real.

The men in black exchanged nervous glances.

The woman clenched her jaw.

"This isn't over."

She turned and disappeared into the darkness with the others before the police cars reached the farm.

Within seconds, the field was filled with flashing blue and red lights.

Officers surrounded us.

One of them walked up to me.

"Are you Maya?"

"Yes."

He removed his cap.

"We've been trying to find you."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Why?"

He reached into his pocket and handed me a sealed envelope.

Written across the front were five words.

Open this when you're safe.

At the bottom...

I recognised the handwriting instantly.

It belonged to my brother.