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Bénédicte was brought in her cell by a man she knew all too well. Officer James Kalloway, he made a vow that if someone was going to take her down, it was him. His proud smirk when he locked the door was all too nerve-racking for her. When he left, she sighed and kicked in the door with her foot before sitting down on the hard bench. Someone hawked on her right. The person was in the shadows of the ill-lighted cell and Bénédicte couldn't tell if they were a she, a he, a tall or a dwarf.
??: I see it's been quite the day, the female voice said.
Bénédicte scoffed.
B: It's only a matter of time before I get out of here.
??: Oh, really? I'd like to see that sweetheart.
B: Before that who are you?? She asked, frowning.
??: My name's Alice Macray, but you may know me under the nickname M.
Bénédicte couldn't believe it. M?? The famous bank robber all TV channels were talking about?? She blinked twice and pinched herself to be sure she wasn't dreaming. But no she wasn't dreaming. Her inspiration was literally facing her in a cell. Alice didn't know but she was damn right: quite the day. Alice stood up and she was wearing a caring smile.
B: I'm- I- I'm honoured ma'am, she stammered.
She stood up too and handed her hand so Alice could shake it. And Alice gladly took it.
A: Nice to meet you...?
B: Bénédicte Morlant, nice to meet you too.
They let go of each other's hands.
A: So, what about this escape you were talking about? Was it all talking?
B: Certainly not, watch me, she said confidently.
Bénédicte hadn't been good at anything in particular all her life but if there was one thing she was good at, it was sneaking in but especially sneaking out of places. Her technique was... Let's say original.
She went closer to the door.
B: HEYOOOO, she shouted, someone? Can I speak to someone??
A young rookie appeared and asked what was going on.
B: This is a shame! A most shocking news, officer! She said, falsely outraged.
R: What is it ma'am?
B: C'm'here young man, see for yourself! She said, pointing to the dark corner of the cell.
He naively opened the door and entered the cell to go check.
B: Gotcha, she said before slapping him on the head with a precise hit.
He fell like a dead fly on the floor.
B: After you m'lady, she said ironically, bowing and showing the way out for Alice.
A: Thank you, Alice smiled.
I like that one, she thought to herself.
When arrived at the center of the police station where probably every policemen of the station were, they hid behind a wall.
A: What now?
B: Just watch.
Bénédicte walked to where everyone could see her and shouted:
B: Somebody is escaping, help meeee!
Everyone started moving towards their desks to take their guns and then go to the cells. Bénédicte took avantage of the chaos and confidently walked out as if she was a mere citizen in a random building. Alice followed her, she was truly impressed and it was noticeable on her face.
She got balls, she thought, I definitely like that one.
When they were out of the building, a black car stopped right in front.
A: Oh, here's my ride.
She walked towards the car and opened the door for the back places. She turned around to look at Bénédicte.
A: You'll hear from me very soon, sweetheart. Get home safe.
She winked and with that she disappeared in the backseats of the car. The chauffeur started the car and it left the street in no time.
Bénédicte was lost in her thoughts, looking blankly at where the car had disappeared. Suddenly she remembered she was in front of the police station she just escaped from and left in a hurry.
~~~
A month later...
Bénédicte was in her cabriolet, a chupachoups in her mouth, a pair of sunglasses on her nose. Suddenly, around 5 five people came to her car and started to wash her windscreen.
B: N-n-n-no no! I don't want my car to be washed, go away! She shouted at them.
One of them put a piece of paper between the windscreen and the windscreen wipers.
B: wtf is that, she swore, taking the little paper.
She was about to throw it when she saw something written inside it. Her curiosity kicked in and she unwrapped it.
Hello Bénédicte,
I haven't forgotten you don't worry. I was only a bit busy this past month. I hope you're doing well sweetheart.
Meet me on the 13th of this month on Downtown Street. Just search for the white van with a rose on its sides. Take care.
Alice xx
Bénédicte smiled and put the paper in her pocket, she started the engin and drove away.
~~~
On the 13th...
Bénédicte arrived on Downtown Street and parked right by the candy store. She got out of the car and locked it. She readjusted her beanie and put her hands in her pockets. She looked around in search of a white van with a rose on both sides.
She's late, she thought. She was about to get her eyes on her phone when someone honked their horn at her. She looked up and saw the van. She smiled and walked to where it was parking. The back door opened and she went inside it. The little window between the trunk and the conductor area opened and Alice appeared.
A: Hey sweetie, she said in a sweet tone.
B: Hey Alice, she smiled.
A: Sit on the bench there, the ride won't be long.
Bénédicte sat on the bench on the left of the van.
B: Where are we going? She asked as the chauffeur was getting out of the park car place.
A: To my apartment. Oliver here will drop us off and then get home.
B: Oh okay, is it the van you use for your robberies?
A: Yes, it's my signature so...
B: Isn't a bit dangerous to park it at one of your houses if you use it?
O: No need to worry for me Miss Morlant, I park it far from my house in a garage I rent under a false name. It's all under control, he smiled nicely.
B: Oh okay, that's smart. She stated and they all fell silent, just watching the road.
O: And we're arrived, he said as he stopped the engine, good afternoon Alice, see you on Monday, he said as she was getting out of the van.
She smiled and waved him goodbye. She opened the back doors to let Bénédicte out and Oliver left when the door was closed again.
A: Let's get in, she said smiling, and let's talk about our little project together.
And with that they entered the apartment.
~~~
Six months and a half later...
As the alarm was ringing in the whole bank, so loud that it was possible to hear it from the street, Bénédicte and Alice were running toward the door. People passing by looked at the bank, frowning before two women got out by the main door. They where running down the stairs with their hands full of bags. Alice, the shorter one, had brown hair cut at shoulder's length, and the taller one, Bénédicte, had short African braids on her head, usually making it difficult for people to know whether she was a boy or a girl. They were both dressed in black. The only thing hiding their faces was a thick black neck warmer. That was what the witnesses told the police later that day...
They looked at each other and they smiled at each other. Once they were down the stairs of the front door, they ran on their right to the van. They threw the bags behind and jumped on their seats. The van left at full speed and the two girls disappeared.
Some 18klms away, the white van entered a privately owned car park. Bénedicte and Alice exited the van. They took the bags out and went in a cabriolet. Oliver, who had arrived with Bénédicte's cabriolet went in the van and left. Alice and Bénédicte changed their black clothes for more colourful ones and left the car park. They went away in the cabriolet.
~~~
At Alice's apartment, 30 minutes later
Alice unlocked the door and then opened it. She laughed as she entered, followed closely by her black-skinned partner. When the door was closed, Alice extended herself on her toes and hugged Bénédicte.
Through their months of preparation for the robbery, they had grew closer one to another. They were now best friends but both secretly hoped for more, without never admitting it.
A: How long do you think we'll have to lay low for this one?
She smiled widely, her hands on Bénédicte's torso.
B: I have no idea, she laughed. But what I know for sure is that we rocked it!
They both laughed and parted. They went on the big table in the middle of the apartment and started counting. When they knew exactly how much money they had stole, they put everything in order and tidied up.
Alice went to her kitchen and got the red white out.
A: Want a drink? She asked.
B: With pleasure, she smiled.
They took their glasses in their hands and they drank to their success. After some time simply drinking and looking at each other in a comfortable silence, Alice spoke.
A: We should be good if we're careful. Even if it was a big robbery they have no way to get back to us. You can go out if you want but, you know, just don't get arrested for something stupid.
B: Yeah, yeah of course, she smiled. After a quick time of looking at Alice she asked: what will you do afterwards?
A: With the money or with my life?
B: Both, she clarified.
A: Oh, she said, well I don't know yet. I'll probably go somewhere very sunny and hot as a holiday but otherwise I haven't thought about it yet.
They smiled at each other.
A: And you? She softly asked.
B: Probably go on a holiday too, but I've never made plans for my life so I don't see why I'd start now, she laughed.
A: Yeah, I've come to realise that, she laughed, talking about Bénédicte's lack of organisation.
They both laughed before the room became silent again.
A: Wanna watch a movie? She asked.
B: Yeah, of course.
So they went on the couch and watched a film that neither of them was really interested in. When it was finished, Alice yawned.
B: You should go to bed Alice, you look exhausted, she said kindly.
A: I'm not tired, she replied, but this "exciting" movie really motivated me! She said sarcastically while repressing another yawn. Bénédicte laughed.
B: Well I can see that! She giggled. It's still late, you should go sleep. You've done much today and it was a stressing day.
Alice nodded.
A: Alright, I'll go then. She said, her hand above her head to show she was giving in.
She got up and went to the bathroom to get prepared. Bénédicte sighed and closed her eyes. Geez, I really like her. Then she got up herself and took a new pair of pyjamas out of her suitcase. She changed quickly while Alice was still in the bathroom. She took her toothbrush and toothpaste and got to the kitchen to brush her teeth there.
When Alice got out of the bathroom, she was already all ready (lol) and she was putting a blanket on the sofa, her bed for the past almost-7 months.
Alice smiled at the sight. Bénédicte was in her apartment and it was more than enough for her. It was the 70s and being a lesbian was hard when you didn't know the other's sexual orientation and when it was a taboo to talk about such a thing.
She was lost in her thought and didn't notice that Bénédicte had seen her and was now looking back at her.
B: Alice? She said several times.
As she wasn't moving yet, she went to Alice's side and out both her hands on Alice's upper arms.
B: Alice? She repeated when she was finally out of her trans. Is everything okay? She asked, clearly concerned.
A: Y-yeah, she said blushing, lowering her head. It's nothing.
B: You can talk to me you know, she said, putting a hand under her chin to get her head up and look into her eyes. I'm here for you and I won't judge you. Ever.
Alice looked away and put her arms around her body as if to protect her.
A: I- she stammered, I'm not sure you're the right person to talk to about that.
B: Oh, is it that bad? She asked.
A: No, no, it's just- she took a deep breath. It's about you and-
She was about to apologise when Bénédicte's face crumpled.
B: Oh my god, did I do something wrong?! She said, panicking. Did I hurt you?! If I did I am so sorry. Please forgive me I swear it was not my intention at all and-
Alice put a finger on Bénédicte's lips.
A: No dummy, you did nothing wrong, she said smiling, so caringly that Bénédicte thought she was going to die of a cuteness overdose. It's me, don't worry it's nothing really.
B: No it's not nothing, she said a bit too loud and with a bit too much of conviction, making Alice jump. I'm sorry. Listen, I care a lot about you, a lot more than I should actually, but I do and that's the way it is. And that means I want you to be okay and happy and I-
A: You care a lot about me? She said smiling.
B: Erm- ugh, yes I do, she said, blushing.
A: I care a lot about you too, she said with a smile that could light up a whole damn city. I care a lot about you too, she repeated and then she whispered: if you get my meaning.
After what Bénédicte had said, she felt invincible, she felt like she could do anything.
B: You- you mean..? She asked, she hoped she wasn't dreaming or making anything up. She hoped she was not misinterpreting Alice's words.
A: I mean I love you, she smiled, looking right into Bénédicte's eyes. And it's nothing to do with being friends.
Now it was Bénédicte's turn to have a bright smile. Slowly they leaned toward each other. When only a few millimeters where separating them, they both smiled and closed their eyes before finally kissing.
The mix of all the things they felt during that kiss was sensational. Finally, they felt like they belonged. Finally, they felt like someone cared in the world. The kiss was a relief for both of them, it was like being on a soft cloud, with no care in the world except for the other person. It was all that and much more.
They finally parted and smiled, happy and excited like children on Christmas Day.
They knew the path they had chosen in life wasn't going to be easy, but together, they felt like anything was possible. Anything was indeed possible because they had each other, and nothing else mattered as much.