Standard disclaimers apply.
Second Chance
By Christine
David Detillo sat in his room, smoking a cigarette. He looked at the tiny girl lying on the bed watching television. She was not who he intended to take that day. He wanted to get his daughter, Jessica. However, when she went into the house, this precocious little girl noticed him and wouldn't leave him alone. He knew right away, who she was. She was definitely her mother's daughter.
She was driving him crazy with all of the questions that she asked. "Where was her mother? When was she going home?" He was starting to get nervous. He couldn't go out anywhere. His face was all over the televisions. He fingered the gun that sat on the table. There was a knock at the door.
Casey sat up on the bed. He placed the gun in the waistband of his jeans. "Stay there. Don't move." He said to her as he made his way to the door. He looked through the peephole and saw a guy standing at the door.
"What do you want?" He screamed through the door.
"Pizza." Chuck answered.
"I didn't order any pizza." David said keeping the door closed.
"Come on buddy. From what I can tell you're the only guy in this place." Chuck said. "My delivery instructions are room 14, Crane Motel and that's you."
"I told you I didn't order any pizza." David raised his voice.
"Listen buddy, cut me a break huh? I'm already on thin ice with my boss. How about I give you a discount. Just give me five bucks and I'll give you the pizza." Chuck said. "What'll ya say."
He thought for a minute. He hadn't eaten in two days. Pizza sure sounded good. He could just open the door a crack, give the guy the cash, and get the pizza. He could stand behind the door. The guy really wouldn't be able to see him if he did that. He opened the door a crack.
As the door opened, Chuck glanced over at Gary and Bernie who were standing on the other side of him up against the wall. A hand came out with a five-dollar bill in it. As Chuck reached up to grab the money, he and Gary pushed back on the door hard, causing David to fly back against the inside wall. Gary and Chuck kept pressure on the door pinning David against the wall. Bernie came to the doorway and motioned for Casey to come with him. "Grandpa Bernie!" She screamed and ran into his arms. He picked her up and walked out of the room.
David was struggling behind the door. He was able to push it back enough so that he could free himself. Chuck and Gary both fell back against the wall. David grabbed the gun from his jeans. Gary saw him reach for the gun. Gary lunged towards him and a struggle ensued. The gun went off and hit Chuck. Gary and David continued to struggle. Gary had David's hand pinned between them. The gun went off a second time.
Armstrong and his men were just getting out of their cars when Bernie made it to the van.
"Where are they?" He asked Bernie.
"Over there, room 14." Bernie answered.
As Armstrong and his men headed to the room, they heard the gun shots.