Chapter 2:

It was déjà vu. That's all. I shook my head, and ducked down a bit further into my hooded sweatshirt. I turned and walked quickly down the aisle to the aquariums. Behind me, Mark was asking Alex if she was okay to lock up. I noted the tank of Bala sharks on my left. No bullet holes, no broken glass. No sign of a fire.

Daydreaming. I shook my head again, trying to clear it, and wandered over to look at a few cups holding Bettas. They were arranged along the top of an empty tank, swimming in endless circles in their little plastic prisons. The bell above the door rang, signaling Mark's departure. The tension in my neck and shoulders eased a little.

It had to be a daydream. It was the only logical explanation. Although why I would fantasize about the destruction of this pet store was beyond my comprehension. I considered a blue Betta. He was really gorgeous. I could build a small tank for him …

The front door slammed open. I spun, and looked on in alarm as four men dressed in dark clothes and ski masks entered the store. They were the same four as in my daydream. The man in the lead marched up to the counter. Alex started to ask him if he needed anything, when the gun appeared. I ducked behind the wiring pole at the end of the aisle, my heart pounding fiercely.

"Somebody back there?" The man shouted. This didn't make any sense. Was I having premonitions? I swallowed thickly. "You'd better come out buddy, or I'm gonna shoot this girl," he threatened.

I started to shift away from my hiding spot, but hesitated. If I moved, they would see me. They would all have my location now. My momentary lapse had given them the opportunity to pin me down.

"Okay, one dead girl, coming up," the man stated. Alex cried out in alarm, her voice echoing off the walls of the small store.

I moved around the corner. The report of the gun seemed incredibly loud. I watched the red hole appear at her left temple, and then she collapsed to the floor like a rag doll. She hadn't even screamed.

The bo was in my hands, and I was charging forward before conscious thought could catch up. I swung, taking out the two at the end of my aisle. I spun to level a high kick at a third man …

And found myself below a tinkling bell with a door handle in my right hand. My eyes went round with shock, and I gaped, open mouthed, at Alex and Mark where they stood on opposite sides of the counter.

"May I help you?" Alex asked. There was no bullet hole. I backed out the door, and slammed it behind me.

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Home. I had to get home and get my brothers. Something uncanny was happening here. I ran through an alley, keeping to the shadows with my staff in my hand. My hood fell back, but I didn't take the time to fix it. I looked around a corner, and saw people coming. I ducked back, and took a deep breath. Calm down. Back the way I had traveled there was a fire escape. I retraced my steps to the ladder. I scrambled up, clumsy in my haste, and gained the rooftop.

Running, I leapt to the next rooftop, and then the next until I was nearer home. I headed down another fire escape, taking my time, and trying to make less noise. This wasn't the time to panic. The night was clear, and only a little cool. I took the time to breathe deeply, and armed sweat from my forehead.

I checked out the empty street, and dashed across to the warehouse. Almost there; I felt a moment of relief when my hand closed around the door handle of the side door. Leo would know how to sort this out. I turned the handle and stepped in.

A bell tinkled above my head. I glanced up, and moaned.

"Oh, no."