Mission Possible (part 4)

They went back and peered down the passage.  Nothing but darkness could be seen.  Aaron decided it would be best to get one at a time.  The hallway was long and there was little room for escape should someone come towards them.  If only one of them were caught, the mission could still be successful.  He also thought that there may be a hiding spot for one, but not big enough for both of them should the need arise.  

             “OK, you go first, stay low and go quickly.  There is a small table on the left about half way down the hall.  Duck under it, I’ll be watching.  Signal to me with your flashlight when you get there, I will be watching.”  He hoped that Samantha was up for the task.  This would be a huge test for her, her first time completely alone.  Even if it was only for a few minutes, he worried she would not be able to handle the pressure.

             “I got it.  It will be fine Aaron, I can do this.  I will signal with my flashlight when it is safe for you.”  Samantha then darted out the door and scurried to the console table that held an old clock about halfway down the hallway.  She ducked beneath it and started to get out her light.   Just then the door to the family room, almost directly across from her opened.  She pulled her legs in closer her to her body and held her breath.

             “Just a minute James, I could have sworn I heard something.”  A tall man appeared in the doorway.   He stood in the open doorway and looked down the hall towards the foyer.  He then looked the other direction towards the formal living room.  “Nope, I don’t see anything.  Must be hearing things.  Let’s get this done quickly.”  He went back inside the room and shut the door.

             Down in the guest bedroom, Aaron let out a huge breath and finally relaxed his shoulders.  He had thought for sure that Samantha was about to be busted.  She had done a wonderful job of staying hidden and remaining silent.  He was proud of his protégé, his training had paid off.   Aaron then, checking the way twice, hustled down the hall, staying close to the wall.   He stopped at the edge of the skinny table, since there was no room underneath for both of them.

             “It’s not far now, we should probably go together, all or nothing.   Are you ready?”  Aaron whispered as softly as possible.

             “I was born ready, let’s do this.” Samantha replied, gathering her legs under her, for a quick escape.

             “On three…  one, two, threeeeee!”  Aaron ran down the hallway just ahead of Samantha.  They sprinted as fast as they could to the archway that led into the formal room at the end of the long hallway.  They both came to an abrupt halt.  Breathing heavily and full of adrenaline they scoped out the large highly decorated room.  There were plenty of hiding places in this room, but they needed to look for what they had come all this way to find.