Part Two
Inside the Metro Court
As Sam went for the emergency button, Elizabeth was still hidden behind Nikolas, her petite size giving her a few moments of peace.
She pulled her cell from her purse and started to dial as the gunman made their rounds asking for jewelry and cell phones. The cell phone was wrenched from her hand. "No calls!"
Elizabeth was lifted off of her feet and the pressure the gunman applied to her middle sent a pain stabbing through her. She could barely hear Emily pleading for her... "She's pregnant!"
"Then," argued the leader, "perhaps she should consider that before doing anything foolish."
Her eyes awash in tears for her friend Nikolas who tried to stand between her and the gunmen, Elizabeth nodded and lowered her head.
She had been one number away from dialing Jason's number. It had worked once before, but now, now it looked as though they were going to have to wait and see if the men storming into the building were as good at their jobs as Jason was at his.
At the leader's command, Maxie is taken toward the vault and Elizabeth watches her go with a mixture of worry and fear. No matter what Maxie had done to her... and how much pain she had caused... this was no way for her to suffer merely for working at the front desk.
Praying for a quick end to this didn't work as soon as a warning bell is sounded and the men from the vault come running back in. All eyes turn to Sam. The leader turns his anger on Sam. "Perhaps I did not make myself clear!" His gun is trained on Sam and his arm is rock-solid and still. "If you had not pulled this little 'stunt' my men and I would be leaving at this moment, but now... since we have to stay..."
He waved her away from the desk with the barrel of his gun, "then we ought to make ourselves comfortable."
Outside the Metro Court
Jason pauses just outside the door. The darkened glass panes are a curious site. They were frosted as a matter of design, but in the middle of the evening... dark? Leaning closer he sees the problem. The doors have been painted and there, inside... Max and Sonny and a number of other people are being held at gunpoint.
The sudden thunder of noise behind him is his new worry. The PCPD in full force are taking up places across the street. Turning quickly, Jason runs for the cars and spots Mac amidst the nameless see of police faces. "Mac, you have to stay back... they have hostages inside."
Mac's look is one of curiosity and shrewd evaluation. "You have anything to do with this, Jason? What about Sonny?"
Jason shook his head. "This isn't about us. Sonny's here for a hospital benefit."
Mac nods. "That's what I was worried about, pretty much an invitation list of 'high society.'" Waving his hand at Cruz, Mac is given the bullhorn. "Then let's 'knock' and let them know they're not alone."
Inside the Metro Court
Giving Sonny an 'I-told-you-so' look, the leader sighs and just as quickly perks up. "Well, since it's too late to do as this gentleman says and leave... we'll just have to settle in for the long run... and maybe play a game. He turns over a pencil cup and begins his 'name-game' eager to see how much he can push the buttons of his 'guests.'
kick ass carly, menacing max, screw you lulu, nightmare nikolas, babysbreath elizabeth, intern emily, jobbin' robin, howlin' alan, sweet sam, ready eddy...
And so it continues until...
Michael Corinthos, Jr.
Smiling behind the crude opening of his mask, 'FUN ONE,' lifts his pistol and shoots.
Outside the Metro Court
Jason, his keen hearing alerted by the sudden eruption of sound, goes quiet... in body as well as mind. He knows the primary targets for gunfire and he can deal with that... but there were bound to be others in the lobby...
Some kind of awareness tingled across the back of his neck. He looked up at the dark windows and wondered... where was Elizabeth?