They picked up their trays of burgers, shakes and fries and found a secluded place in the corner where they could catch up and hopefully not disturb anyone.
"I hope this place is okay." Kate said. "I know it's not the best place to meet, but I thought-."
Daphne reached across the table and squeezed Kate's hand. "It's fine. I'm sorry if I seemed uncomfortable with it. And actually…" She picked up a French fry and popped it into her mouth. "This place is quite good. It's been a long time since I-."
Her eyes saw the scene before her mind realized what was happening and she froze. Her eyes widened and she wasn't entirely convinced that what she was seeing was real or imagined. But then she heard Kate's voice and saw the faint movement of Kate's hand as it waved in front of her face.
"Daphne, are you okay? What's wrong? What is it?"
Suddenly Daphne was very, very afraid. She was terrified and she couldn't move. She could barely breathe. And she was only vaguely aware of the tears in her eyes.
"What is it? What-."
Kate turned her head and gasped. "Oh my God…"
Daphne squeezed Kate's hand across the table and swallowed hard.
"What should we do?" Kate whispered.
"I-I…" But Daphne could barely speak. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the horrific scene before her. It began somewhat innocently. Two young men who looked to be in their early twenties were standing at the counter, were talking to another young man who obviously worked there.
The young man behind the counter wore a blue and yellow uniform that was so common for the fast food chain. It was as though the company hadn't updated their uniforms in years.
The other young men were both wearing torn, faded blue jeans and black hooded sweatshirts. It was a wardrobe that was so typical of teenagers these days. Daphne seemed to see the same outfit on almost every teen in the city. Whatever happened to originality?
In a surprising move, the two teens in sweatshirts both jumped over the counter until they stood face to face with the young man in uniform and a few other employees. She thought nothing of it (kids will be kids after all and she did have eight brothers who were as rambunctious as ever, even in their adulthood), until she noticed something else.
In a scene right out of a movie, one of the young men in the black sweatshirt reached into his pocket and removed a small handgun, and then aimed it at the employee. She gasped, realizing that this boy was the person who had taken their order, and he was quite friendly and very good at his job. But now she feared for him and for herself.
A group of children and adults who sat at the table just feet from the front counter screamed and ran out of the restaurant. And then the crew members began arguing with the teenage boys; the one was still pointing the gun.
Daphne suddenly realized that she and Kate were the only ones left in the restaurant, but she didn't know what to do. It didn't feel safe to get up and leave, but she didn't want to stay in the restaurant. When she looked at Kate, it was apparent that Kate wasn't sure what to do either.
Daphne's fears began to worsen.