Chapter 2: Shot
I went to work every day dutifully, for I could not afford to lose this job. It was hard knowing what went where but working beside Aleeysha made it all the easier. I found myself glancing at her a lot, watching her graceful movements. I told myself, I was just trying to get a hang of things.
I was working at the cash registers, when Aleeysha's hand brushed mine. I froze, and then looked at her. She didn't look at me, though; instead she reached over to get a pen. I felt queasy, and, I admit, a little disappointed.
Everyday my work got a little sloppier. The more I learned how to do it by watching Aleeysha the worse I got. I decided to try another method. I did every job I could that didn't involve being anywhere near her. I had to get it together.
I didn't work. The more deprived of her I was, the more restless I became. When I wasn't with her, my mind was. I'd be a fool not to realise; I was falling for her, more and more every day.
My boss came in, his face a mask, which was the perfect mixture of pity and resolve; I knew I was going to be fired. He opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of another man yelling for all the money, gun flashing replaced the condemning words.
The man wore all black, and a ski mask; the typical apparel of a robber. I remember the panic in the guy's eyes. Must be a newbie, I thought dimly. Aleeysha refused to give him the money, and the panic in his eyes intensified. Then in a flash it was gone, replaces with anger, at the same level of intensity.
If this were a movie, I knew I would be cheering on Aleeysha with all I had, but if this were a movie, the robber wouldn't have raised his gun, trained on her heart, so shakily. I saw her tense. The robber cocked his gun. "I'll give you 5 seconds. Five, four…"
The next thing I knew I was in front of her. I heard my boos and his daughter yell in protest but it was too late.
"one." Sharp pain exploded right below my shoulder. My world swayed; it took all of my willpower not to go unconscious. More pain exploded in me, two, three more times, in the chest. I couldn't breathe without hurting.
The last thing I saw was the wild rage in the robber's eyes, when he made to shoot again, and there was a click, signifying his empty gun. He ran out, while I crumpled to the floor. They were safe for now, and that's all that mattered. I felt tears on my face, but they weren't mine. I closed my eyes, and everything faded.
-0-
Everything was still fuzzy. I saw my mom, dad, and brother waiting for me. There was a small part of me saying it was impossible, since my mom died giving birth to me, and my dad was sick. I was too happy to think. My dad was up and beaming healthiness. My mom was happy and as beautiful as ever. My brother wasn't ruled by grief and anger.
Aleeysha held me in her arms, kissed me, told me everything was okay. I was so happy I couldn't breathe. Then it was literal; I actually couldn't breathe. I clutched my throat, and grasped for air but none would reach my lungs. I looked over to my family and Aleeysha and saw they were still staring at me smiling and having. Behind their eyes I saw amusement and malice, as if they did this to me. If I could breathe I would've screamed. Panic overwhelmed me.
The last thing I heard was Aleeysha's voice. "Goodbye."
Then I woke up.