Prologue
Bob Ronald didn't like change, and he prided himself on that fact. He was perfectly fine with the very strict schedule he had lived all his life with. At 6:30 A.M., he wakes up. Half an hour later, he leaves home, grabs some breakfast at the nearby coffee shop and then heads to work. At noon he takes a 45-minute lunch break his business's cafeteria. Then finally at 6:00 P.M., he gets off work and goes back home.
The routine never changed, and Bob didn't mind it at all. After all, his overly strict life had led him to becoming the founder of one of Eastern America's top businesses. He now had more money than he could ever dream of, a house as big as a small hotel, and a super hot long-term girlfriend who was absolutely crazy about him. There was nothing else he could ask for, and there was nothing he'd ever change.
Today was no exception to that 'no change rule.' His alarm went off at 6:30 like always. After a quick shower, he changed into a fitted pale gray business suit with a blue tie, combed out his graying blonde hair that still managed to stay full, and kissed his girlfriend goodbye. He left his mansion at 7:00 sharp like always, and drove his car to the coffee joint called King's Coffee.
This shop was one of Bob's favorites. It was one of a kind, which was particularly frustrating when he had to go on business trips, yet its coffee was so amazing it's a wonder this place hadn't become a chain restaurant yet. It really lived up to its motto, "Our Coffee is fit for a King."
Bob walked into the shop at his usual time, 7:10. Like usual, the line was long because of adults getting their morning coffee before they went to work, and teens before they went to school. He patiently stood in line. He didn't have to be to work till 7:45, which left him in no rush. He waited for about ten minutes, dodging rushing workers and clumsy teens during the time, before it was his turn to order.
"Mr. Ronald, how nice to see you." A friendly voice said. Bob smiled. The lady at the cash register today was Lucinda Williams, a kind, intelligent, money independent college student that Bob had known ever since she was hired her freshman year in high school. She was a very determined girl and refused to get help from anyone. Bob knew that one day she would live a very successful life much like his own.
"Lucy, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Bob?" He asked the young dark skinned girl. Lucy smiled and laughed.
"As long as you're my customer, Mr. Ronald." She said joyfully. "So, I take it you'll have the usual bagel and black coffee again?"
"Oh Lucy, you know me so well." Bob said and winked at Lucy. The girl's cheerful laugh ringed throughout the coffee shop again. With a bright smile, she typed in the man's order into her cash register.
"That will be $8.89, sir." She told him. Bob grabbed his wallet from his pocket and pulled out a ten-dollar bill. He handed it to the young woman in exchange for the coffee and bag in her hands.
"Keep the change." He said, and winked at the girl once again. "Put it towards you're college fund." The girl blushed lightly and stuttered a thank you as Bob stepped out of the line. He lifted his arm and pulled up his jacket and long sleeved shirt so he could see the time. His watch read 7:24.
Bob released his jacket and shirt and grabbed his coffee from his other hand. He took a sip of the coffee and contemplated what to do. He had 21 minutes to get to work, and his office was only 10 minutes away. He was 11 minutes ahead of schedule, which was not something he was comfortable with. Running a hand through his hair, he sighed. He figured it wouldn't kill him to stay for a few minutes longer at the shop.
He stood off to the side of the shop, a few feet away from a window that was close to the door. He didn't want to seat himself at one of the tables or couches and make himself comfortable when he knew he'd be leaving soon.
Setting down the bag that held his usual cinnamon raisin bagel on the floor, Bob began to drink his coffee again. Every so often, he'd check his watch to see how much time had gone by, but always found that barely a minute had past.
It was when he was doing that for the sixth time in the past 2 minutes that he noticed the strange red light.
An unsteady red light was resting on his coffee cup, bouncing between the pink background to the yellow cartoon crowns that studded the cup. It looked as if someone on his right was pointing a laser at it, but the only thing there was a glass window, and past the window was a street busy with the early morning rush hour.
Bob blinked slowly, trying to make sense of what he was seeing, but when he reopened his eyes, the light was gone. It was like it had never even existed in the first place. He glanced around, trying to see if it had moved to another location, but he didn't see it.
"Humph." Bob sighed irritably and yanked his bagel bag off the floor, the large scowl on his face making his small amount of wrinkles very noticeable. He crossed his arms in anger.
All this waiting must be making me paranoid. This is why you don't ever go off–
Bob never got a chance to finish his thought, for a mix of a loud bang, glass shattering, and multiple different people screaming interrupted it. His belongings dropped from his hands as his body went completely limp, and he fell backwards onto the tile, a bullet wound delivered cleanly to his head. The spilled coffee mixed with the blood that ran down from the forehead to the floor, making a dark, rustic color. Bystanders everywhere screamed in terror, and many began to cry. Someone yelled at another to call an ambulance, but it was too late.
Bob Ronald was dead.
Comment whether you want Prentiss or Blake in this story.