Chapter 19: Words

"You should listen to her." The boy said, trying to sound dangerous.

I was certain he was a boy by now. The way he'd let me try to talk to the cashier made it seem like he didn't know how to take full control of the situation. Secondly, the way he was holding the gun made him seem like an amateur. Not pointing at anyone in particular with the safety off and gesturing with it, instead of holding it to anyone's head. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this was his first time doing this sort of thing. Maybe he was my age.

I was still terrified.

Who wouldn't be? But it was worse now Cara had escaped. Before, I felt like I'd had someone to protect, but now, it felt like I was alone.

Glancing at the people still trapped in the shop, I talked sternly to myself; There are still people who could get hurt, just keep distracting him until Cara brings the police. You can do it, Juliet!

Trying to breathe deeply, I looked back at the maybe-novice criminal and stubborn cashier in their silent standoff in front of me. Then I had an idea.
I have powers, maybe I can use that to help me convince them?
My bracelet was already off, and all I needed to do was make a hole in my wall. So, I did.

The masked gunman's thoughts came first.
"Why isn't he handing over the money? I have a gun! I need this cash, and I can't afford to get caught!"

Then the cashier's mental voice came to join the conversation.
"What if the girl's right? My life isn't worth this money! But I need this job…"

"Maybe I need to do something drastic, like a threat? If I threaten to shoot one of the customers, maybe…?"

Distracted, I almost missed the significance of this thought. Then my eyes widen.
"Please," I say out loud, as I plead with him to show reason, "don't hurt anyone! Armed robbery is one thing, but if you shoot anyone, that'll count as assault and that's guaranteed jail time if you get caught!"

"What?" the masked boy replies, a hint of guilt evident in his voice, "Why would I shoot anyone unless I don't get the money?" Turning a menacing glare on the cashier, he adds, "I am going to get the money, right?"

"You won't lose your job!" I try to explain before he says something everyone will regret, "It's not the employee's fault the store got robbed and handing over the cash in the tiller is policy. Please just do it before this gets any worse."

Looking reluctant, the curly haired employee opens the tiller and begins taking out notes as I sigh in relief. Maybe I should get down like the everyone else? Cara is gone, and there isn't much more I can do. Nobody would think twice.

The amateur gunman stands in silence and I catch on the the strand of his thoughts.
"Should I really do this? All these people are scared of me, even Juliet Mason, and apparently, she's a meta. If I take this money, there's no going back. But you have to do this, Brynn! You need the money…"

I blinked, and then swallowed.
Brynn? Like Bronwyn? Bronwyn Jones from my school is a criminal? But he's at my school! I mean, he gets in trouble a lot I guess, but I never… Shocked, for a moment, I lose track of the situation in wondering what secrets the rest of the student body at Central City High School could be hiding. I mean, I'm a meta, and he's a criminal, for all I know, the girl in English could be the Arrow's sidekick!
Then reality comes back to me. He's on the fence, so maybe I can convince him not to do this? Nobody realises it's him yet, and if he leaves now the police might not catch him. He hasn't really done anything yet – has he?

"You don't have to do this?" I say, but it sounds more like a question. Come on Juliet, be more assertive!

"What kind of cliché is that?" Bronwyn says to me flatly, "If I didn't, why would I be here?"

"Clichés are normally only clichés because they work." I say logically, trying to sound less shy and quiet than normal, even though I have no clue what to say. I guess I'm just trying to stall so I can think of a better argument. I wish Barry was here. Or Caitlin. Or even Cisco. They would know what to do, or at least have useful power to defeat the baddies before anyone could get hurt. I just hope the police will come soon.

"It doesn't even matter anyway; you're wrong. I do have to do this." Scowling, he adds, "and don't even think about asking why because it's none of your business."

"Bronwyn, please - " and that's when I realise my mistake.

You and your stupid mouth, Juliet. When will you learn to keep it SHUT?

"What. How do you know my name?" His voice barks, and there's fear and confusion echoing in it, but I know the anger is there. Just under the surface, and one wrong move could unleash it. Idiot, idiot, idiot. Why did you go and say that? I've got to fix this quick.

"I'm sorry, I just thought-" I start, trying to recover the situation, but he cuts me off.

"No, you, you – you're a meta! You can read people's minds, right? I thought the guys at school were joking!" I take a breath, but he keeps going, eyes wide and wild, and hands waving. "You can't know who I am! Then they'll know, and I can't, I -" His gestures have become more and more erratic, and suddenly, I am keenly aware of the gun in his left hand.

Bang!

A sound, unlike anything I've ever heard rips through the air, and couples with a scream. I think it might be me, but I suddenly can't think through the pain that suddenly lances through my leg.

I let out a whimper and sink to the floor.

Cara, still standing outside, hears a gunshot tear through the air.

Her blood runs cold and, for a minute, she's frozen.

Then she sprints for the store across the street.

Author's Note:

Another cliffhanger! You guys must really hate me now, right? Am I doing a good job of the suspense, or could I do better? I'll never know until you tell me. Also, any questions? I'm open to answering, but I wont spoil. What do you guys think of Brynn? I had a backstory planned for him which turned out to be irrelevant, so you'll probably never hear it but ah well. I also had an alternate ending to their altercation, but I didn't think it fit, so you'll definitely never hear that one because it might bias you. Anyway, I hope you guys have a great week, and I'll see* you next Saturday for another episode of Illusionist!

Trix

*Obviously I can't see you, but you know what I mean!