Jude and Daniel were driving on the empty road when blue police lights flashed behind them. Jude's heart started beating quickly. He felt like he couldn't breathe.
"Police," Daniel said, trying to sound calm. "Don't panic. Just pull over."
Jude nodded and slowed the car. His hands were shaking so much he almost dropped the steering wheel. He pulled the car over to the side of the road and stopped.
One police officer got out of the police car and walked over to Jude's window. He tapped on the window. Jude quickly rolled it down.
"Good morning," the officer said. "This is just a routine stop. May I see your license, please?"
Jude's hands were shaking as he gave the officer his license. The officer looked at it, then glanced into the car.
"Where are you headed?" the officer asked, looking from Jude to Daniel.
Daniel answered quickly, his face serious. "We're going out of town. There's a family emergency."
The officer nodded, but he didn't look away. He peered past them toward the back of the car. "Would you mind opening the boot for me?"
Jude felt his stomach twist. He tried to keep his face calm, but inside he was terrified. He knew what was in the boot.
Daniel spoke before Jude could say anything. His voice stayed steady. "Is there a problem, officer?"
"Just a standard check," the officer said.
Daniel shook his head. "We're in a hurry."
The officer's face changed a little. He looked more serious now. "Sir, refusing a search makes things complicated."
Everything happened very fast after that. Another officer came over. The police started asking more questions. Daniel and Jude both started to get nervous. Voices got louder. Someone reached for the car door. Someone else stepped back. Jude couldn't remember who touched who first. It all happened too quickly.
Suddenly, there was shouting. People were pushing each other. Daniel yelled, "Run!"
Without thinking, Jude jumped back into the driver's seat and started the car. He pressed the gas pedal as hard as he could. As the car sped away, a loud gunshot rang out and the rear window shattered. Glass flew everywhere, but Jude kept driving.
They drove as fast as they could, not stopping until they reached the river outside the city. Jude's hands were shaking so much he almost couldn't open the car door. He and Daniel got out. They worked together, moving quickly and quietly. They took the body out of the boot and carried it down to the riverbank. The sky was still dark, but a faint light was starting to appear in the east.
They stood by the river for a long time, not saying a word. Their clothes were dirty. Their faces were pale. Jude felt cold and empty inside.
After they were done, they walked back to the car. The silence between them was heavy. Jude started the car again. As they drove back toward the city, the sun was rising. The world looked different now—quiet and strange. Jude gripped the steering wheel tightly, afraid to let go.
He knew, deep inside, that nothing would ever be the same again. He thought about his fiancée, his family, and everything he had just done. He felt scared and alone. He knew he could never go back to his old life.
But for now, all he could do was drive forward, into the new day, with a secret that would never leave him.