Chapter 92

• As Damien stepped into the break room, the chatter among his employees fell silent, their eyes glued to the television mounted high on the wall. The crisp sound of breaking news crackled through the air, pulling his attention immediately to the screen. “BREAKING NEWS: BANK BEING ROBBED,” the news anchor stated, her voice tense and urgent.
• The room buzzed with nervous energy, as everyone exchanged frantic glances and mumers among each other as the reporter continued. Damien shook his head in disbelief, trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation unfolding mere blocks away from his company’s building. A robbery? In broad daylight? This was unreal. These were things he felt only happened in action movies he'd watched. Very rarely did something like this happen in their city, though places got robbed, the bank being robbed was something entirely different. And he couldn't believe it was actually happening in walking distance from him. He turned to leave the break room, his mind racing with thoughts of how the sudden turmoil would affect the neighborhood—what was the world coming to?
• But as he reached for the door, the TV view changed, revealing a live feed from inside the bank. Damien’s heart stopped. He quickly turned back, his eyes widening as the camera panned through the glass doors, revealing a scene that felt surreal and horrifyingly familiar. There, in the chaotic scene, he spotted her. Charlotte.