(1 month later)
"Do you want that boxed?" The guy at the counter asked. Aura shook her head, "It's fine; I'll just take it like that." The guy was pretty relaxed and let her take the gun. She slid it into the waist of her jeans as he took her card and ran it through the scanner. "All done." he said and handed her a piece of paper to sign. After she signed it, she waved bye casually and walked out of the murky shop doors and into the surprisingly empty street. This street was usually packed full of locals at this time of day...something didn't feel right.
She was out on her own today, picking a gun for the heist. Although she never wanted one, her cousin's close family had forced her to, in case someone caught her during it. It was still a few weeks away, but there'd been so much planning going on that she'd barely escaped the house recently, and this was a treat; Fresh air, sun, a cool breeze and a busy shopping centre in town. Perfect. She'd be heading there next, she needed new shoes anyway, and there was that gorgeous dress she'd spotted a week ago too. Benito hadn't been around for a while; the night at the bridge had been the last time she'd seen him, and she was starting to get worried...what if a rival family had caught on? They might have taken him as a hostage. Plenty of people did that now...cowards, she thought to herself. Only the weak and useless take hostages. Her family would never do such a thing; it was all about respect, which you earn face to face, not across a phone line.
Suddenly her phone buzzed and she opened the new message. It was Danny.
Aura. Get home now! Nicks' gang's in town! Everyone's left; they're looking for a fight
(Aura's POV)
I froze and as soon as I finished reading it, ran into an alley next to the shop. I leaned in against the wall, cussing to myself. I quickly pulled out my mobile and dialled Danny's number. He answered on the first ring. "Aura where are you!" He called through the phone. The noise escaped my end and I shushed him. "Don't yell, anyone could hear you, and I'm in an alley near Davie's shop, where the fuck is Nick headed? I can't leave, the streets a dead end, if I leave the alley he'll see me if he comes!" I heard loud cussing coming from the background as Danny repeated what I said to his family.
I gulped as I heard a car drive by slowly and crept towards the furthest end of the cold alley, leaning in harder and slumping down so I couldn't be seen easily. I heard him sigh on the phone and just as he started to speak I heard numerous clicks and scraping noises along with his voice. I frowned. "Aura, stay there and stay out of the way, we're gonna come and get you." "Everyone!" I hissed. "It'll be safer." He said reassuringly and even though I wanted to argue, I knew I wouldn't win. I put my head in my hand and whispered "And this is why I didn't want to do this anymore...because once again I'm a fucking target." I sighed and glared ahead at the wall opposite me. "I'm sorry." Was all he said. "Stay on the line?" I asked and I heard people murmur again in his background. "Sure, we'll be there soon okay? If they see you..." He hesitated. "Well, you have your gun, right?" letting out a shaky breath, I nodded "Yeah..." I said uneasily.
He left the phone in his pocket and headed to the car. I could hear fuzzy mumbles from people as doors slammed and a loud humming started in the ear piece. I leant my head back. They'd only be a few minutes...but that was still a few minutes in which Nick could find me...and kill me. I squeezed my eyes shut tight as I heard another car drive by. This time it was really slow and I opened my eyes to the sound of footsteps and doors slamming shut...my eyes went wide and then started to dart all over the alley, searching for wall stairs or boxes to hide behind. There was nothing. Just damp stone walls and black cobbled pavement. I looked up to see the side windows of old disused flats. The windows were broken to the side, but there was no way in hell I could get up there. There was a small corner just ahead of me, which turned into about a foot of hidden space and I slid my body round so I was hiding in it and held my breath.