6 May 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2728: Don't Relax, Don't Let Go

This post was inspired by today's 5-minute writing prompt in the Freewriters Community - Don't Relax

Enjoy !

Image created by AI in NightCafe Studio

"Come out with your hands up ! Now !"

The voice from the loudspeaker was distorted, sounding impersonal. From inside the bank, a voice came back in reply.

"No ! Don't come in here !"

Inspector Chivers looked around at the ring of men he had, all crouched behind their cars with enough guns pointed at the bank's doors to start a small war.

"If you don't come out with your hands up on the count of ten, we're coming in there !"

Again the voice from inside replied. There was no defiance in it, just fear. A woman's voice.

"Please ! Don't come in ! You mustn't !"

"Right," Chivers spoke quietly to his men. "Smith and Jones, with me; we're going in. No shooting unless they shoot first, but if they do fire, take cover and open up with everything you've got."

He picked the two nearest of his men with automatic weapons. They moved carefully, initially to one side to keep out of sight. It didn't seem like they'd been spotted by the time they took position each side of the doors. At least, no-one took a pot-shot at them.

Then they dashed in and to the side, ready with their weapons.

What they didn't see was bank robbers.

There was one person in there. One of the bank staff, judging by her smart blazer and name badge. She was standing in the middle of the foyer with a look of terror on her face.

"I... I told you not to come in...." she whimpered.

Chivers took in the scene, and realised the back door behind the girl was ajar. The robbers had escaped.

Tears rolled down the girl's face. "I'm so, so sorry. They made me hold this switch. Told me don't relax, don't let go. But the spring is so strong. If I let go, the bombs behind you will go off. But there are motion sensors. If you move forward or backward from where you are, they'll go off anyway."

Looking behind him, Chivers could see the dark shapes of the bombs hidden behind the open doors. Easily enough to blow the whole place to pieces. They couldn't back out, and couldn't get to the girl.

How long before her strength failed ? How could they get out of this trap ?