THE WOLF PACKâS MISTAKE
She reached the center of the tunnel, where the light was most precarious. Three burly men stepped out from the alcoves, blocking her path with the practiced synchronization of a wolf pack. They were young, built of muscle and arrogance, sporting short-cropped hair and the twisted grins of men who believed they owned the night. Tattoos snaked down their forearms, visible beneath their sportswear.
The leader, a man with a jagged scar near his eye, stepped forward. âGoing somewhere, Grandma?â he asked, his voice echoing off the curved ceiling. âLetâs make this easy. We want the phone, the wallet, and the jewelry.â
âAnd the rings,â the second one added, stepping closer until he was inside her personal space. âHurry up while weâre still feeling generous.â
The woman didnât cower. She didnât tremble. She looked up, her eyes clear and remarkably cold. âI donât have much money,â she replied, her voice steady and resonant. âBut even if I were a millionaire, I wouldnât give a single kopek to jackals like you.â
The air in the tunnel turned brittle. The leaderâs grin vanished, replaced by a mask of pure, senseless rage. He lunged forward, grabbing her by the collar of her blue coat and slamming her back against the concrete wall with a sickening thud.
âYou think this is a game?â he hissed into her face. âItâs too late to be a hero now.â
THE UNVEILING
Despite the pain radiating from her shoulders, the woman slowly opened her eyes. A faint, almost pitying smile touched her lips. âIâm sorry,â she whispered. âI was wrong. Iâll get the money now. Itâs in my inner pocket.â
The leader loosened his grip, sensing a total surrender. âTake it out. Slow. No sudden moves.â