“Drive!” I yell, my voice hoarse from screaming. The Jeep jerks forward, colliding me with a rough burlap sack, full of sharp objects. I grunt, grabbing the sack and clutching it tightly.

Eric looks back at me, his eyes wide with worry. “They’re gaining on us!” He screams, pushing down on the accelerator harshly. Another normal Tuesday, robbing from one of the most highly secure banks and almost dying. I sigh hugging the sack closer. In it is thousands of gold coins, crowns, and jewels. I snap my head around, glancing over my shoulder. Five black vans tail the Jeep, almost close enough to crash into us. Eric’s a good driver. We’ll make it through. I shut my eyes tight in hope of shaking off the vans. If we get caught, there’s no prison for us. It’s execution. My breath comes out in short ragged huffs. Suddenly, Eric slams down on the break making me get thrown forward.

“The heck are you stopping for?” I wrench my eyes open, glaring at Eric. He doesn’t respond, like he’s in some kind of trance. “Eric?” I whisper hesitantly. Suddenly, a young man steps out of the shadows, his eyes on my face. I clench my jaw, bewildered by the sight of him. He holds a suitcase in one hand, the other raised towards the car. I look back at Eric, with his open, drooling mouth and hypnotized eyes.

I gasp as realization dawns on me, “Your controlling him.”

The man smirks and throws his hand towards me, mouthing words I don’t understand. Suddenly, Eric turns to me, his head tilted. I back away, fear creeping up my spine. “E-Eric…” His hands grasp my throat faster than I can blink. Hes choking me, I realize. “Why?” My voice is raspy as tears well up in my eyes, threatening to fall down my face. I know it’s not him, it’s the man controlling him but it hurts all the same. I can’t breathe, can’t think. Darkness slowly envelopes me as my breathe dwindles to the horror around me.