Where was it? If only he could turn on the lights, but no robber ever did that. He was sure it was here, he had spent the last two years just trying to track it down. It was one book. One book that would help him get his revenge. He had searched all the shelves, every single one.
The old man couldn't have destroyed it. No, he knew it's secret. He had to. Just as he stopped to think for a second, he heard footsteps. Damn, he had heard him. Time was running out.
"Come on, bastard. Where did you put it?"
It then dawned on him. This codger might be smarter than he thought. He probably knew that robbers would look for valuable books on the shelf, and not in a hidden place. Acting quickly, he searched for any sort of safe or special displays. Nothing. His last resort was the desk. He held his breath as he opened the desk drawer. The old man had left it unlocked. Smart, but not smart enough.
There inside was the book he had been searching for. He briefly brushed his fingers against the bold, gold letters on the cover.
"Who's there?"
His head popped up as heard the footsteps getting closer and saw a flashlight's beam shining on the stairs. He grabbed the book, but the old man was there before he could run.
"Stop where you are." The old man ordered.
He didn't want this to happen. He took out his gun and held it at the old man.
"Stay away." He warned.
The old man held up his hands. "It's all right, son. Calm down. Just put down the gun and-"
"Why? So you can shoot me in the back and take the book. You don't know how long I've searched for it, how long I had to follow you before I made my move. I've finally got it, it's finally mine."
There was a moment of silence, the old man refusing to move. Until he saw his cane leaning against the wall. Grabbing it in one quick motion, he ran towards the thief but collapsed as a bullet went to his chest.
"I'm sorry. I can't let anyone stop me."
He rushed out the door, leaving the old man to bleed to death on the floor of his shop.