Chapter One

Gwen

“I’m sorry to interrupt, Gwen, however we’re short-staffed on the ground and Stacey must take her lunch break. May you come out to assist?”

I lookup from my desk at my co-worker, popping out of my paperwork induced tunnel imaginative and prescient slowly. “Certain, Debbie. Give me only a minute to file these, and I’ll be proper out.”

“Thanks, Gwen. You’re a lifesaver.”

I smile at her then flip again to the mortgage mortgage utility I had been reviewing. I rapidly file the paperwork and clear my desk earlier than heading out to the entrance of the financial institution. As I stroll throughout the marble flooring, I take within the grand foyer of the outdated constructing, which by no means fails to make me smile. I huff a small snigger as I go our aged safety guard, Hank, who has fallen asleep on his stool close to the doorway. My father’s warning about working at this outdated financial institution, with its outdated, lax, and infrequently failing security measures, briefly crosses my thoughts, however I push the thought away. This financial institution is in one of many cornerstones of the town, and the constructing has at all times felt like residence to me. There may be nowhere else I’d slightly be.

There are just a few folks in line, however I transfer rapidly to a teller station and login to the pc so I can assist the following individual. He’s a tall, sharply dressed man with raven hair and inexperienced eyes. He appears to be like to be in his late thirties or early forties. Regardless of his clean-cut look, there’s something off about him that makes me uneasy, however I power a smile to my lips.

“Hiya, sir. How can I provide help to?” I ask as he approaches the counter. He returns my smile, and I can’t cease the uncomfortable shiver that runs up my backbone.

“I’d wish to open a security deposit field, please.” As he speaks, he leans one elbow on the counter, and my eyes are drawn to his hand the place I discover a big tattoo that disappears up his sleeve. I can clearly see the tail of a snake in black and yellow ink.

“Um, after all,” I stammer as I seize the required kinds. “For those who may simply fill these out, I can get that course of began for you instantly.”

He smiles once more as he takes the kinds, and utilizing the pen chained to the counter, he fills them out rapidly and passes them again to me alongside along with his ID. I look at his driver’s license and rapidly enter the data into the system. Once I’m completed, I look again on the man in entrance of me and ask, “Do you might have something you’d wish to put within the field in the present day or would you similar to to take your key?”

“I’d wish to see the field, please. I’ve a couple of issues with me in the present day.”

“After all, comply with me.” I lock down my station, then wave at Debbie to let her know I’ll be off the ground for a couple of minutes earlier than main the person by the financial institution to the vault that homes our security deposit bins, stopping alongside the best way to get our grasp key and the one for his assigned field as we go. I lead him to his field, and utilizing each keys, I unlock the small door. I take away the field from its locker and stroll it to a wood desk within the heart of the room. I open it along with his key earlier than turning again to him.

“Would you want me to attend, or would you like some privateness, Mr. Krait?” I ask, utilizing the identify I’d seen on his ID.

He appears to be like at me for a second earlier than answering, “I’d like a second alone, please.”

“After all. I’ll be proper outdoors once you’re completed.” I go away the room and wait simply outdoors the door. Whereas I wait, I examine my emails on my cellphone and reply to a textual content from my sister. After a couple of minutes, I pocket my cellphone once more and look again towards the door to the security deposit field vault. What’s taking him so lengthy?

All of a sudden, I hear the sound of shouting from down the corridor. I push away from the wall and start to stroll towards the noise, conscious that Debbie is alone within the foyer, however I solely make it about two steps earlier than an arm wraps round my waist and pulls me again in opposition to a broad, onerous physique. I open my mouth to scream, however the arm cinches tighter round my waist, and a low voice whispers in my ear.

“Don’t make a sound. I don’t need to have to harm you.”

Shit.

His phrases have my eyes widening in alarm. Does he imply—

My unstated query is answered as I really feel the chilly press of steel in opposition to my temple.

A gun.

I’m twenty-two and solely simply began residing, I can’t die. I haven’t even had my first boyfriend but or tried alcohol. Having adoring however overbearing dad and mom who adopted my each transfer meant nobody in highschool ever invited me to events, and I used to be far too shy and awkward to be in style with my classmates in faculty. Now I’m lastly residing alone, and to suppose my life may finish so instantly with out doing all of the issues I’ve missed out on sends a shudder by my physique.

I don’t transfer, I barely even breathe as I watch for the person behind me to say one thing else. He releases the arm round my center and takes a step again earlier than placing a hand on my shoulder and directing me to show round. He by no means lowers the gun, and I can really feel it brush my brow as I transfer to face him, although I maintain my eyes on the bottom.

“What’s your identify?” he asks.

“G-Gwen.”

“Effectively, Gwen, it will all be over in a couple of minutes. So long as you do what I say and don’t trigger me any bother, you’ll stay unhurt. Do you perceive?”

I nod meekly.

“Give me the grasp key,” he calls for in a peaceful, quiet voice that’s extra terrifying than if he’d screamed at me. I rapidly pull the important thing from my pocket and hand it over.

“Good lady. Now go stand in that nook and face the wall along with your arms laced behind your again. Don’t transfer or say a phrase.” He gestures to the far nook of the room, and I rapidly comply. The shouting I had heard from the foyer has died down, and I can solely hope that Debbie is okay.

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