Killing My Father-in-law for Justice

The silence in the car was suffocating. Daniel’s words echoed in my mind as I stared out the window at the desolate road ahead. Join their organization? The idea seemed absurd. I had just broken out of a prison, chased by police, helicopters, and who knows what else. Now I was supposed to sign up for some secret group of vigilantes?

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "You’re serious about this?"

Daniel turned in his seat to face me, his expression calm but firm. "Dead serious, Daphne. You’ve got the skills, the drive, and now, the experience. We can help you, but it’s a two-way street."

I glanced around the car. Sue was watching me in the rearview mirror, her lips pressed into a thin line. The others remained quiet, their faces unreadable behind their masks.

"You don’t get it, do you?" I said, my voice tinged with sarcasm. "I’m not some hero. I’m a criminal, Daniel. A murderer. And now, thanks to you, an escaped convict. I don’t want to join your little club—I want to survive."

"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" Sue snapped, her tone sharp. "Because from where I’m sitting, you’ve got two options, rot in a cell or work with us."

I shot her a glare. "I don’t work for free."

Sue laughed, the sound harsh and grating. "Oh, sweetheart, this isn’t a job. It’s a mission. You think we’re out here getting rich?"

"Enough," Daniel said, holding up a hand to silence her. He looked back at me, his voice soft but insistent. "We can provide you with money, resources, a safe place to stay. But it comes with a price—you work with us. Otherwise, you’re on your own."

I leaned back, crossing my arms. "And what happens if I say no? You just let me go"

Daniel’s eyes darkened. "You won’t make it out there. You’ll be hunted, Daphne. Every city, every corner, every shadow—you’ll never have a moment’s peace. Is that how you want to live?"

I hated that he was right. The weight of his words settled over me like a suffocating blanket. My life was already over, wasn’t it? At least the life I once knew.

I sighed, looking down at my hands. "Fine. I’ll work with you. But I’m not risking my life for some mission unless there’s something in it for me. Money, Daniel. I need money."

Sue muttered something under her breath, but Daniel nodded. "Deal. But you follow our lead, and you don’t jeopardize the team."

"Great," I said, rolling my eyes. "When do we start?"

"Now," Daniel replied, motioning to the driver. "We’re heading to Coldingham. There’s a route under the bay that will get us out of this region."

I frowned. "And what’s waiting for us in Coldingham?"

"Let's figure it out," he said simply.

The car dipped into a long, dark tunnel. The air grew colder, the sound of the tires echoing off the walls. By the time we emerged on the other side, the faint lights of a small town flickered in the distance.

As we pulled into Coldingham, Daniel began explaining the plan. "We’ll use a yacht to cross the bay. It’s quiet, untraceable, and fast. But there’s a checkpoint near the docks. If they recognize any of us, we’re done."

Sue cursed under her breath. "So what’s the brilliant plan? Walk right past the guards and hope for the best?"

"No," I said, an idea forming in my mind. "We disguise ourselves. There’s got to be a shop around here where we can blend in, look like tourists or something."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "You think a change of clothes is enough?"

I shrugged. "It’s better than showing up looking like a prison break."

Sue glanced at the others. "She’s got a point. We’re all over the wanted posters. We need to blend in."

Daniel hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Let’s find a shop."

We parked the car in a secluded alley and split up, sticking to the shadows. My heart raced as we moved through the quiet streets, every shadow and sound making me flinch. A small shop came into view, its dim lights casting an inviting glow.

Inside, the place smelled of fabric and faint perfume. I scanned the racks, grabbing anything that looked inconspicuous—a hoodie, jeans, a hat. The others did the same, moving quickly but carefully.

Sue held up a floral dress, smirking. "What do you think, Daphne? Too flashy?"

"Try blending in, not standing out," I shot back, grabbing a plain jacket off the rack.

As we paid for the clothes in cash, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched. My eyes darted to the windows, scanning the street for any sign of movement.

"Hurry up," Daniel muttered, shoving a wad of cash at the clerk.

We changed quickly in a backroom, discarding our old clothes in a garbage bag. When I stepped out, I barely recognized myself. The hat and hoodie did their job of masking my features, but I still felt exposed.

"This better work," I muttered as we headed back to the car.

"It will," Daniel said, though his voice lacked conviction.

As we drove toward the docks, the checkpoint loomed in the distance, its lights piercing the darkness. My heart pounded as I gripped the seat, praying that our disguises would hold.

"Everyone stay calm," Daniel said as we approached.

But as we neared the gate, the guard stepped forward, his flashlight cutting through the night. He leaned closer to the driver’s side window, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the car.

"Papers," he demanded.

My breath hitched. This was it. If he recognized us, we were done.