by Nyssa Renay
When Allie arrived at The Park Crystal, she was surprised to find the door still locked. She checked her watch and laughed when she realized it was only a quarter to eight. She was actually there before her sister for a change. Instead of unlocking the door and going inside, Allie decided to sit on the front steps and sip her coffee, enjoying a moment of calm and serenity.
About five minutes later, Patience appeared from around the corner and her jaw dropped in complete and utter surprise to see Allie waiting for her. “Oh my!” Patience chirped. “Okay, Kevin definitely has my vote now. Look at you! Early to work. All dressed up.”
“Yeah, yeah. Take it easy,” Allie happily cautioned. “One step at a time, all right?”
Patience laughed and smiled at her sister. “I’m so happy to see you like this. Warms my heart…it really does.”
“Don’t get too excited, Patience. I just wanted to get to the bank and back before we open.”
“I know…I’m just trying to savor this moment,” Patience said sarcastically as she unlocked and opened the door.
Allie went right to the back office and pulled the money bag from the safe, emptying it onto the desk for a quick recount. She double checked her total with the deposit slip, refilled the bag, and locked it.
“Okay, Patience,” Allie shouted, walking to the front door. “I’ll be right back.”
“Wait!” Patience rushed up behind her. “I have something for you. It came in yesterday.” Patience grabbed Allie’s right hand. Allie looked down to see a dainty sterling silver band with a row of three small amber stones on her ring finger. “I was going to wait for your birthday, but I thought I’d surprise you with it early.”
“It’s beautiful!” Allie gasped. “But you shouldn’t have spent your money on this. I know the store is having a hard time right now.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m just glad you like it. Happy early birthday!”
“I love it.” Allie hugged her sister. “Thank you so much, really.” Something occurred to her as she held her arm out and took a good, long look at the ring. “Okay…wait a minute. Why amber, Patience? What is this one supposed to do?” Allie asked, trying to sound pleasant and not skeptical.
Patience forced a sheepish smile, shrugging her shoulders slightly. “It protects the spirit from interference.”
“From what?”
“When negative or manipulative people surround you, their energies can pull you down with them.” Patience explained. “Some people use amber to help ward off evil spirits that try to possess their soul.”
“Are you serious?” Allie mocked.
“Really! It’s true. I’ve heard that if you’re ever in danger of possession from a demonic spirit, you just keep a piece of amber on you and cross your feet or hands or fingers. It blocks them like a psychic shield.”
“Well, I’ll be sure to remember that if I ever go ghost hunting,” Allie joked, humoring her sister. “But seriously, Patience, this ring is gorgeous. Thank you so much!” She gave Patience a long, heartfelt hug. “Okay,” Allie said as she let go and then headed for the door. “I’ll be back in a bit…love you!”
“Love you, too.” Patience smiled happily as she watched her sister go.
***
“Hello, Agnes,” Allie said politely, reading the nameplate at the teller’s window.
Agnes smiled, happy that someone had cared enough to address her by name. “Well, hello to you, too!” she said from behind the glass.
“I just need to make a deposit, please,” Allie explained, pushing the locked bag into the curved tray beneath the window.
“Of course!” Agnes chirped. “It’ll only take a moment.”
“Thank you,” Allie replied, reaching into a small bowl of flavored toffee candies beside the window. After searching the bowl for a few seconds, she found one of the green apple ones she loved the most. “This day just keeps getting better,” Allie muttered to herself, chewing on the toffee. She stared down at her new ring, watching it shimmer and reflect the sunlight streaming through the large windows behind her.
“All set,” Agnes happily called out from behind the glass. “Here’s your receipt, and I hope you have a wonderful day.”
Allie smiled. “You, too.”
When she turned around, her smile quickly dissolved at the sight of five masked gunmen barging through the front doors of the bank. The elderly security guard was too slow to react, and he fell to the floor when one of the robbers struck him on the head with the butt of his rifle. Terrified, Allie held her breath, trying not to scream.
“All right! Everybody stay calm and no one gets hurt!” a short, fat gunman shouted as he sauntered to the center of the lobby to take control of the heist.
“Protection ring, my ass,” Allie muttered to herself as she quickly raised her hands, fearful for her life.
“I want everyone in this lobby to go stand by those windows with my heavily armed associates over there. Those three will make sure you don’t do anything stupid!”
Allie and the other customers rushed over and huddled together in a small group.
Lou turned his gaze toward the tellers. “My other extremely dangerous friend here will be giving each of you some bags. Fill them up with the largest bills you have. Don’t forget to dig into that big safe behind you! Now, get going before we start killing off your customers!” he shouted.
In an instant, all the panicked tellers began stuffing the bags with cash from the drawers as the manager rushed over to the safe.
Lou turned back to the small group of customers. “All of you, put your wallets, purses, and jewelry into my young friend’s bag.”
Allie quickly slipped off her new ring and tucked it in the waistband of her pants before reaching into her pocket for the mysterious wad of cash. Easy come…easy go, she thought, angrily handing the money over to the young gunman.
Through his ski mask, Kevin stared at the writing on the top bill that read MAKE BETTER CHOICES, squinting at Allie, as if she knew something he didn’t.
“Come on, man!” one of the older hostages moaned. “Why do you need our stuff? The bank’s money is insured. They’re going to get it back anyway.”
“He’s got a point,” Allie chimed in before she could stop herself.
“If either one of them says another word…kill ‘em,” Lou growled at Andy.
Andy nodded, nervously aiming the gun at the businessman while Kevin’s other brother, Jason, pointed his gun directly at Allie’s forehead. She was terrified. All she could think about was her sister wondering why she never returned to the store. Closing her eyes, Allie decided there was nothing to lose and focused her mind on the amber gems in the beautiful ring Patience had given her, trying to keep her thoughts happy ones. She crossed one foot over the other, hoping for even a smidge of the protection her sister had always believed in.
The bank went dead quiet as everyone, including the gunmen, stared in amazement at an older man in a fedora who casually strolled through the front door. He slowly made his way past Lou, seemingly oblivious to the commotion around him as he walked to the ATM in the back of the lobby.
“Hey, pal!” Lou shouted, waving his gun at Joseph. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Can’t you see there’s a robbery going on?”
“Yes,” Joseph replied. “And you’re doing a wonderful job, I might add. I’m just going to use the machine and I’ll leave you to it.” Joseph turned to the keypad. “Now…should I use checking or savings?” he mused loudly to himself.
Lou nodded to Joey, who moved toward Joseph with his gun raised. “Is there something wrong with you?” Joey barked at Joseph.
“Yes, there is, actually.” Joseph laughed, shaking his head. “I can’t remember which account I have my money in. You know, it’s the strangest thing…getting old. Things just start to slip away as we age.”
Joey pointed the gun directly at Joseph’s forehead. “Well, you won’t live to see
tomorrow unless you get your hands up and go over there with the others!”
Joseph turned his head from side to side, admiring the gun pointed at him. “That’s amazing! I think I used to have that exact same gun back in the war. Man, the trouble I used to have with the safety…you know that little switch on the side by the handle? Always jammed up on me. Drove me absolutely crazy,” Joseph said, chuckling.
Joey looked over at Lou. “What do you want me to do, boss?”
“Just shoot the son of a bitch!” Lou snapped.
“La niesta stirento!” Joseph shouted, and a bright yellow flash engulfed the room before the loud pop of Joey’s gun echoed through the lobby.
Upon hearing Joseph’s words, a stabbing pain surged through Allie’s head. Her abduction in the alley. Joseph rescuing her. Getting into the cab. Everything came flooding back, moments before she blacked out and collapsed onto the floor.
“What did you do?” Kevin shouted at Jason.
“I didn’t do anything!” Jason yelled back.
“Joey!” Lou screamed as he rushed over to Joey’s body, where a crimson pool was forming. “What the hell happened?”
“Well,” Joseph chimed in. “It looks like he shot himself in the head. For a bank robber, I don’t think he really knew what he was doing. Now, if it were me—”
“Shut up!” Lou howled as he jumped up and angrily shoved the end of his gun into Joseph’s forehead. “I’m gonna splatter your brains all over this damn place!”
“Don’t shoot him!” Allie yelled as she snapped awake, clutching her head.
“Shut up, bitch!” Lou snarled at Allie as she slowly sat up. “Or you’re next!”
“She’s actually trying to help you,” Joseph said calmly. “But you’re in charge. Shoot away.” Joseph stared intently into Lou’s eyes, grinning slyly.
Lou tried to stare Joseph down, hoping to get him to flinch, but Joseph stood stoic and silent. “I’ve got a gun pointed directly at your head! Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t pull this trigger,” Lou barked as his eyes nervously darted between Joseph and his dead friend on the floor.
“I think you just answered your own question. You’re still wondering why he’s dead when he was trying to shoot me.” Joseph grinned slyly. “You’re worried the same thing will happen to you. I can see it in your eyes, Lou.”
“How do you know my name?” Lou muttered under his breath.
Joseph leaned in and whispered. “Your boss and I go way back, but I don’t think Christoff is going to be very happy when he finds out you brought along the idiot brothers over there.” Joseph pointed to Kevin and his brothers. “That is, if you even told him about this job in the first place. My guess is that you and your dead friend down there planned this yourselves, hoping to skim a little off the top before you handed the money over to Palencio. A job like this really helps prove your loyalty…that is…when switching sides. Don’t you think?”
Lou slowly lowered his gun as sirens wailed in the distance.
“What do we do?” Andy yelled at Lou. “Let’s grab the money and get out of here!”
Joseph laughed, shaking his head as he walked toward Andy. “You didn’t really think he was actually going to let you have any of the money, did you?”
“Of course,” Andy replied, aiming his gun at Joseph. “We made a deal.”
“Then you’re as gullible as she is.” Joseph pointed to Allie.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Allie snapped, slowly getting to her feet.
Jason slammed the butt of his gun into Allie’s stomach, dropping her back onto the floor. “Shut up!” he yelled.
“La fel tialoso!” Joseph barked, sending a blinding, white ball at Jason’s chest, knocking him against the wall. Lou made a crazed dash for the front door, and Joseph quickly spun around. “Inta mosiacho!” A large green wave shot from Joseph’s hand, quickly forming vines around Lou’s legs and knocking him to the floor. The vines rapidly climbed up Lou’s body and wrapped around his mouth, turning his screams into a dull, unintelligible mumble. Joseph slowly walked toward the group of hostages.
“Don’t take another step!” Andy shouted, his gun aimed at Joseph.
“Or what?” Joseph asked calmly.
“I-I’ll have to shoot one of the hostages,” Andy said, nervously waving the gun at the group of frightened patrons.
Joseph stopped walking. “I guess you’re not as dumb as you look, but if that’s how you want to do this, then you might want to take the safety off.”
Andy’s hand shook violently as he blindly reached for the safety, keeping his eyes locked on Joseph.
“Take your time,” Joseph said calmly as he took a step toward Andy. “I know you’re new at this.”
Andy rushed over and grabbed Allie by the arm, forcing her up on her feet while pointing the gun at her head. “Back off!” he yelled at Joseph. “We’re taking that money and we’re getting out of here…or she dies.”
“That’s fine with me, Andy,” Joseph said, backing up with his hands raised. “But I think your little brother over there might have something to say about that. Don’t you, Kevin?”
Kevin had his gun aimed directly at Andy. “Let her go!”
“Kevin! What the hell are you doing?” Andy shouted.
“Just pick someone else as a hostage. Not her, okay?”
“Ahh, young love.” Joseph chuckled, shaking his head at Kevin. “You really do like her, don’t you?”
“Yes…yes, I do,” Kevin stammered.
“Wait!” Allie snapped. “Kevin? As in my Kevin?”
“I’m so sorry, Allie.” Kevin apologized, lifting his mask. “You don’t understand…I had no choice!”
“You’re such a dick!” Allie replied angrily. “I really liked you, too.” Allie’s attention turned to Joseph. “And you! I remember everything! The alley…the cab ride…the coffee. How did—”
“Enough!” Andy shouted. “Kevin…grab Jason and let’s just get out of here.”
“There’s no way you’re leaving now,” Joseph said. “The police have already surrounded the building and should be barreling their way in here at any moment, knowing them. But I can help you, if you’ll let me.”
“Help us?” Andy asked skeptically. “Why the hell would you do that?”
“I know you’re only doing this because your father is dying and he can’t afford the cancer treatments,” Joseph said.
Andy slowly lowered his gun, staring at Joseph. “H-How do you know that?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Joseph smiled. “I can help you get the money another way.”
“I doubt it,” Andy scoffed. “We’ve been to more than thirty banks, and not one of them would give us a loan. Our father worked for a mining company for twenty-five years, and when he got sick, they let him go, just like that. No benefits…nothing. Everything was gone in an instant.” He snapped his fingers. “These corporations and banks don’t give a damn about anyone. So, why should you?”
“Does it really matter?” Joseph asked, cocking his head. “I can set up a trust that will pay for all of your father’s treatments for as long as he needs it, but only if you agree to my terms.”
“I don’t believe you,” Andy said skeptically. “There’s no way you have that kind of money.”
“Oh, he does,” Allie said cynically. “Trust me.”
“How do you know?” Kevin asked Allie. “Do you know this guy or something?”
“Apparently, I do,” Allie scoffed, glaring at Joseph angrily. “But who knows for how much longer.”
“True.” Joseph smiled at Allie. “So, do you boys want my help or not?”
“Andy,” Kevin said, defeated. “What other choice do we have?”
Andy sighed. “But I still don’t understand why you would help us.”
“Who cares?” Allie snapped in an urgent tone. “Just take the damn offer!”
“Do we have a deal?” Joseph held
out his hand.
“How do I know this isn’t just a trick?” Andy asked.
Joseph slowly pulled out his phone, hitting a few buttons before handing it to Andy. As he checked the phone, Andy’s mouth fell open. He read their father’s name and an account number and the words PENDING DEPOSIT on the screen.
Joseph smiled. “Just hit the send button, and one million dollars will be deposited immediately. No questions asked. What do you say?”
“Do it, Andy,” Kevin urged. “At least if we go to prison, Dad will be okay, right?”
“Fine.” Andy pushed the button, completing the transaction before handing it back to Joseph.
Andy held out his weapon, and Joseph laughed. “I don’t need that. It’s not real. Those mobsters didn’t trust you three with real guns. They were going to just kill you and take all the money.”
“Wait a minute!” one of the hostages roared. “If those guns aren’t real, I want my wallet back!” he walked over and knocked Kevin to the ground, sending the others into a chaotic frenzy, trying to recover their belongings.
“Tino balachanti!” Joseph yelled, creating a flash of blue light from his hand that rendered everyone else in the bank except for Andy unconscious, tumbling onto the floor.
“What the hell?” Andy looked around, staring in disbelief. “H-How did you do that?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Joseph began. “No one will remember what happened here today, which gives you the opportunity to be a hero.”
“A hero? I don’t understand.”
“There was a robbery here. I can’t change that.” Joseph said as he walked over and grabbed Lou’s gun. “But what I can do is make it look as if you and your brothers stopped it from happening.”
“How?”
“Easy.” Joseph pointed Lou’s gun at Andy’s shoulder and pulled the trigger, blowing a small hole in his arm.
Andy howled in pain, falling to the ground and clutching his arm. “You shot me!”
“Of course.” Joseph grinned slyly. “There’s no way you could’ve wrestled Lou’s gun away from him without being shot. It only makes sense. Now, the first thing I want you to do is take this gun and shoot Lou in the head.”