Callie was sure she was going crazy for the first thought she had when she saw the man hold a gun to the cashier's head was excitement. She hoped that the cop she'd grown attached to would show up and save them all. She wasn't supposed to be happy that their situation required the police and her first thought most definitely shouldn't have been the woman but instead her own life; her brother; their future. She should have been thinking about how to get out of this so that she could go home otherwise Jude would be left all alone in the world with no one to look out for him. Sure, she shared a room with two other girls and while they were friends she knew that neither of them would take on Jude as a permanent dependent. They were willing to watch him from time to time and even dropped him to school once or twice when she'd had a particularly long or bad night but beyond them it was each on for themselves.

The sound of sirens pulled Callie out of her thoughts and as she looked around she could see the gunman with his blond hair and maroon t-shirt standing on top of a stool, pointing his gun at the manager who was trying desperately to talk him down. All around her customers and employees were lying on the ground in panic while a child wailed from one of the aisles and a woman who was crying hysterically while a few people tried to calm her down. Callie glanced behind her and saw one of the other baggers, a skinny, pimply, sixteen year old boy with red hair and freckles biting down on his knuckles as he tried to keep it together. But while Callie was scared and worried she was also waiting in anticipation, sure that any minute the blond maternal figure would walk through the door and save them all.

And sure enough the door opened and four police officers entered but much to Callie's disappointment they were all male. She waited and watched the door as the officers aimed their guns at the gunman who, by now, looked defeated and outnumbered. She continued to watch for more officers as the man was dragged down from his vantage point, cuffed and lead outside. She lay their waiting while the people around her began to shakily stand up as the shock and relief began to set in. But she never came and while Callie was now safe and free she still couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"Does anyone need medical attention?" One of the officers called out. "Is anyone hurt?"

"No." The manager answered. "He never fired; wasn't even sure what he was demanding exactly."

"Didn't seem planned." One officer said to another as they wrote things down in their books. "Is he a regular customer?" He asked the manager who glanced around at his other employees for answers.

"We have grief councilors down at the station if anyone feels the need to talk about what happened." The third officer called out. "They are there to just help you deal with this incident or refer you more permanent therapists should you need or want it." He explained. "If any of you would like to meet with them, please come forward and we will take you back to the station.

Now Callie knew for sure that she was going crazy as she found herself walking forward along with a few others including the woman who had had a panic attack and the bag boy behind her. The incident had shaken them all up but Callie was only going in hopes of seeing one person in particular - and it wasn't a grief councilor.

Stef knew that there was a gunman at the grocery store and that Mike had been one of the officers at the scene. She knew that the situation was now under control and that they were heading back with the gunman and a few of the victims as well. But what Stef didn't expect was to she the same young girl from the science fair walk in as well. The girl was looking around as though looking for something in particular. As the teen glanced through the room their eyes finally met and Stef couldn't deny the look of pure relief when Callie saw her.

Stef was completely confused. She had no idea who this girl was or where she'd first seen her. She remembered her from the science fair but she was sure she'd met her somewhere before as well but she just couldn't place her.

Stef watched as the group was lead into the social services part of the department and made a mental note to ask the social worker for some information on the girl. It was clear that she was actively seeking her out now and if she needed Stef's help in some way then she was going to find a way to give it. But what Stef didn't see was the girl sneak back out of the building once she'd gotten what she'd come for.

On Monday during Stef's lunch break she headed to the grocery store hoping to find this mystery girl. She wanted to know more about her and after she'd learned that the teen never actually met with the councilor she was more sure than ever that it was her she'd come to see.

Stef walked up and down the aisles looking for the teen and finally spotted her smiling sweetly at an elderly man as she packed up his purchases. She observed the child and noticed that behind those friendly eyes and beautiful smile there was a sadness that was far too deep for a girl her age. On a whim Stef grabbed the first item she found off one of the shelves and headed to a checkout line three rows over from the girl. As she waited in line she pulled out her pen and quickly jotted down a little note on the back of the macaroni box.

"I don't need a bag." Stef told the red-headed boy. "But do me a favor please, give this to that girl over there." She pointed towards the teen before walking away.

"What's this for?" Callie asked as she took the box in confusion.

"Dunno." The boy replied. "Some cop asked me to give it to you." He said with a shrug as he walked back to his post.

Callie felt her face pale as she quickly glanced around for the cop in question. But she was nowhere to be seen and so Callie glanced back down at the box and noticed the note.

If you need something don't hesitate to call. I'd be happy to help.

619-555-3302

-Stef