Chapter 4 The Last Resort

The two girls moved quickly, nerves coiled tight as springs. They slipped out of the Terrace, avoiding any signs of mafia presence, and made their way to Fiona's contact's store, a seedy hole-in-the-wall in the shadow of a nearby overpass.

Inside, a young man with greasy hair and a smirk that made Zomet's skin crawl greeted them. "Hey, Fi."

Fiona forced a smile. "Hey, Nick. We need your help."

With Nick's greeting, Fiona wasted no time. "We need your help." Her eyes pleaded for understanding. "It's urgent."

Nick's smirk faded. "What kind of trouble you two in?"

"It's complicated." Fiona's words were clipped. "She needs a gun that looks like the one she described."

Nick's brow furrowed. "What's so important about this gun?"

Fiona's voice dropped to a whisper. "It belongs to the mafia. They want it back. If we don't give it to them, they'll kill her."

Nick's face lost color. "You know what you're asking?"

Fiona met his gaze, unwavering. "She needs it, Nick. I'm asking you to help her."

Nick ran a hand through his hair, clearly rattled. "Fine. I'll see what I can do."

Zomet closed her eyes, relief washing over her for the first time in hours. "Thank you," she managed to whisper. "We'll need it as soon as possible."

Nick looked at her, his expression unreadable. "I'll need the description now," he said, glancing around furtively. "Make it quick."

"The gun is gold inlaid with intricate designs on the grip and barrel," Zomet began, her voice shaky as she forced herself to remember every detail from the night she'd stolen it from her parents' hiding place.

"There's a symbol on the butt-a snake coiled around a sword-and a hidden compartment in the handle. The barrel is engraved with the words 'Matsumoto Family'."

Nick absorbed the description, his face betraying nothing. "I'll do what I can."

As Nick considered Zomet's description, the three of them stood in tense silence, the air in the store thick with tension.

After what felt like an eternity, Nick sighed, resigned. "I know a gilder. But it won't be cheap."

Zomet swallowed hard.

"How much?"

Nick's eyes flickered to Fiona before he spoke. "Five thousand."

Zomet's heart sank. "I don't have that kind of money."

Fiona's eyes narrowed. "What if I help?"

Nick shrugged. "It's a lot of money for a fake."

"It's not about the gun," Fiona countered. "It's about our safety. We'll give you whatever we can."

Nick looked from Fiona to Zomet and back again, his expression indecipherable. Finally, he said,

"Fine," Nick said, relenting. "Four thousand. Take it or leave it."

Fiona's face broke into a smile, relief washing over her features. "Thank you." She turned to Zomet. "I'll sell some of my jewelry. It's not a problem."

Zomet could only nod, gratitude mingling with anxiety in her stomach. "We'll bring you the money tomorrow."

The two girls hurried into the gilder's shop, their hearts racing as the seconds ticked by. Zomet was grateful for the sunlight that poured in through the small windows, illuminating the dingy workspace.

"Nick sent us." Fiona's voice was firm, an urgency in her tone. "He says you're the best. We need you to gold plate a gun, before sunset today."

The gilder looked up, surprise written on his face. "Nick? Nick who?"

"Nick from Hardware City," Fiona answered. "His dad's a regular customer of yours."

The gilder's expression shifted, recognition dawning. "Ah, Nick. Yes, his father's a good man. So what's this all about?"

Fiona's gaze flickered to Zomet. "It's urgent. We can pay double if you can make the gun before sunset."

The gilder hesitated, sizing them up.

"Double," the gilder said, the word hanging in the air between them. "I could do it. But it'll cost you eight thousand, not a penny less."

Fiona's heart sank at the cost, but she knew they didn't have a choice. "Done. We'll pay eight thousand. But we need the gun by sunset."

The gilder nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Then bring me the gun you want to polish."

With the Golden Pistol already in their possession, Zomet and Fiona returned to the gilder's shop. The gilder's gaze fell on the pistol, its ornate engravings and designs glinting in the sunlight that spilled through the windows.

"This is quite the pistol," he remarked, admiration clear in his voice. "The hardware is already quite exquisite. You need it gold-plated, I presume?"

Zomet and Fiona finishes up their business in the gilder's workshop and heads home to prepare for Zomet's meeting with Victor at night.

"I'm not so sure about this plan," Zomet confessed, her voice a shaky whisper. "We need an exit strategy if they find out we've fooled them."

Fiona's face grew grim. "You're right. What about the police?"

"The police?" Zomet shook her head. "They were useless last time. I don't trust them."

"Okay, then we'll figure something else out," Fiona replied determinedly.

Fiona disappeared into her room, returning with the canisters. "Tear gas for you. Pepper spray for me."

Zomet accepted the tear gas, tucking it into her pocket. "It's not much, but it's better than nothing," she said. "And the police... maybe we should call them after we meet Victor? Just in case."

Fiona nodded. "Kill that thought. For now, we have to focus on surviving the meeting."

As the sun disappeared beyond the city skyline, Zomet checked her phone one last time. The message was clear: a remote dock on the outskirts of town, 9 pm sharp. She shared the location with Fiona and tried to steady her trembling hands.

"You don't have to come," Zomet said, meeting Fiona's gaze. "It's too dangerous."

Fiona shook her head, her eyes fierce. "I'm not leaving you to face this alone.

"Fiona, please stay back," Zomet begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's too dangerous. I don't want you to get involved."

Fiona shook her head, her eyes stubborn. "I'm not letting you face this alone. I won't put myself in harm's way, but I'll be close enough to intervene if something goes wrong. You won't even see me."

"But-" Zomet started to protest, but Fiona cut her off with a stern look.

"No buts, Zomet. Let me do this for you. For us."

With a deep breath, Zomet nodded. "Okay. But if anything goes wrong, run. Promise me."

Fiona squeezed her hand, her expression serious. "I promise. Now go. Don't keep Victor waiting. But remember, I'm here for you."

Zomet nodded, the tension in her chest a vise squeezing her heart. As she walked away, Fiona melted into the shadows, watching from a distance.