Nathan (Riko)
The prison yard was a kingdom of its own, ruled by silence and guarded by shadows. Tonight, the wind carried whispers instead of the usual curses and threats. Riko stood at the far edge, leaning against a crumbling wall. His eyes scanned the grounds with the precision of a hawk. Each step, each guard, and each flicker of the perimeter lights was a piece of the puzzle he was determined to solve.
Jax slid up beside him, his bulky frame casting a long shadow under the moonlight. "The others are waiting," Jax murmured.
Riko nodded, his lips tightening into a thin line. "Let's get to it."
The duo moved casually, blending into the ebb and flow of prisoners milling about the yard. To any watchful eyes, they were just two men killing time in the monotony of incarceration. But their minds were racing. Every move, every glance, every word spoken in coded language was part of a plan years in the making.
Inside the dimly lit utility shed, the air was thick with the scent of oil and mildew. The gang was gathered—each face a study in determination and doubt. Marco, the wiry smuggler, was seated on an upturned bucket, tapping his foot anxiously. Priya, the tech genius, leaned against the wall, her glasses glinting in the weak light. And then there was Big Sal, whose sheer bulk seemed too large for the cramped space.
"We're all here," Jax announced, closing the door behind him.
Riko stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of the room. "Listen up. Tonight, we finalize everything. No mistakes. No second chances."
Priya cleared her throat. "I've got the surveillance timings down to the second. There's a blind spot near the west tower for exactly three minutes when the cameras switch feeds. That's our window."
"And the ventilation system?" Riko asked.
Marco grinned. "I've been greasing the right palms for weeks. Got us a map of the system and the tools to cut through the grates."
"Good," Riko said, his mind already calculating. "Big Sal, you're on distraction duty. Make sure the guards are looking the other way when we move."
Sal cracked his knuckles, a slow, deliberate sound that echoed in the silence. "Consider it done."
The air in the room was electric, a mix of hope and fear that only heightened the stakes. Riko looked at each of them, his voice firm. "This isn't just about getting out. It's about freedom—real freedom. We stick together, and we make it happen. Got it?"
A chorus of nods and murmured agreements followed. The plan was set, but the hardest part was still ahead.
---
The prison clock struck midnight, the sound reverberating through the cold, stone corridors. Riko and his crew moved as one, their footsteps muffled against the concrete floor. The first hurdle was the maintenance tunnel, guarded by a single lock. Priya knelt down, her fingers working deftly with a set of picks.
"Any day now," Marco hissed, glancing nervously over his shoulder.
"Patience," Priya shot back, her tone sharp. With a satisfying click, the lock gave way.
They slipped inside, the darkness swallowing them whole. The narrow tunnel was a claustrophobic maze of pipes and grime, but Riko led the way with unwavering focus. Every step brought them closer to the vent system and, beyond that, the open air they had long dreamed of.
But dreams have a way of testing their dreamers.
"Stop," Riko hissed, raising a hand. Ahead, the faint glow of a flashlight danced against the walls. A guard.
The group froze, their breaths caught in their throats. Big Sal shifted his weight, ready to pounce if necessary, but Riko shook his head. "Not yet," he whispered.
As the light drew closer, the tension was palpable. Then, at the last moment, the guard turned, his footsteps fading into the distance. The group exhaled collectively, the danger averted for now.
---
The final obstacle was the grated exit leading to the outer yard. Marco and Jax worked together, their combined strength forcing the rusted metal loose. Beyond the grate lay freedom—or so they thought.
Just as the last piece of metal was removed, an alarm blared, its shrill cry piercing the night. The group exchanged panicked glances. Someone must have tripped a silent alarm. Their time had run out.
"Go!" Riko barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We stick to the plan!"
As the sound of boots echoed in the distance, the crew sprinted into the unknown, their fate hanging by a thread.