Before he knew what was happening, Lennox was on the ground, his hands over his head. Fear took over his every emotion; it took everything he had to offer, leaving a cowering man behind. What was happening? Lying just next to him was a man, a man he met one other time, just one, but he had impacted Lennox and now he was dead, a bullet to the chest. Why didn't Lennox do something, he knew how to fight, he knew how to defend himself, he had done it many times when he was in the army, this should have been a cake walk for him, but instead he was on the ground, trying to shut everything out.
Lennox sat in a bar, the place had around 12 people in it, most sitting in booths, with their date, friend, brother, sister, someone who was there for them. Not Lennox, he sat in the bar alone, the man he talked to days ago, a few seats away from him. Maverick and Lennox barely talked while they drank, just an occasional few sentences back and forth, followed by long pauses as both drifted back into thought. This had only been the second time they talked ever, but it was going good just as last time. “I wanted to see you again.” Maverick said, responding to Lennox’s question on why Maverick wasn't out partying on a Saturday night. “Me? How sweet of you.” Lennox replied with a smirk, and then finished off his beer. Their conversation drifted off, into boring sections about each other’s life, mean while, flirting the whole time.
“Nobody leaves!” A voice shouted from the door, the gun fire was herd.
Everyone who was in the restaurant fell to the floor, avoiding all gun fire, Maverick ended up crouching right best Lennox, staying as close as possible. Lennox’s instincts had kicked in, to pull his gun and covered Maverick, but were soon covered by his PTSD; he soon ended up in the fetal position. “Seems we have a little issue, Bobby, owes us, some money. Since he won’t pay us, we will take what we can get.” One of the men spoke who had walked in.
The bartender, who was indeed, Bobby, shuttered in his spot, unable to move as fear rocked him to the core. “Pay up Bobby.” The man with the gun said. The pair crossed the bar and kept walking until they stood before Bobby. “I don’t h-have it.” Bobby stuttered.
“Everyone up! Up!” One man yelled, everyone complied; cries were let out from most, Lennox and Maverick were quit and stood slowly. “Now Bobby, every time you say, you don’t have it, I shoot one.” He raised his gun and pointed it at a young woman, about the age of 22, she cried and didn't stop. “The money?” He asked. Bobby shook his head. “It’s on your hands.” As the words left, the gun fried and a bullet launched into the woman, she dropped the bag of potatoes. The people around screamed, a few crouched down to the floor. “The money?” Bobby shook his head again. “Very well.” The man shot again and the man next to the women was shot, he fell to the ground, his blood clashing with the woman’s and making the pool bigger.
The man went to shoot another, but he was stopped, Bobby was shouting. “I can get it to you, but I need time!” He stammered. “We have given you a year, and nothing, no notice, this is it. Money now or everyone dies.” The other man pointed his gun at Bobby. “Money!” Bobby shook his head, unable to speak once more. “Okay…” The man who had his gun pointed at the hostages shot off many bullets, hitting many people.
Time slowed down before Lennox’s eyes it seemed, everyone crouched and screamed, but all Lennox saw was Maverick and a bullet, the bullet moved its way until it made contact with Maverick’s chest; he gasped and dropped to the ground. Lennox screamed and dropped to the floor, right behind Maverick.
As the bullets flew, Bobby ran, going out through the back, getting to the back door. “Get him!” One yelled, the other ran off, chasing Bobby, making sure he couldn't leave.
Lennox noticed none of this, all he seen was the dead friend he knew and cared deeply for. To Lennox, this was his fault, he had a gun on him, and he had all the right knowledge on how to deal with this type of stuff. But he didn't do anything, and it cost many people their lives. My fault was all Lennox thought.
It consumed him, until he could not take it any longer. Slowly, Lennox stood up and removed his gun from his leg holster, not letting the gunner react, the soldier shot him, twice and he went down, dying with a painful cry. When the other returned, Lennox shot him as well. He then told Bobby to call 911.
While Bobby called, Lennox crouched down to Mavericks body, slowly picking him up and leaning him on his chest. “I’m sorry.” He whimpered as tears streamed down his face. “I could have protected you.” He started crying, all the while, moving Maverick’s hair from his face. “I was a coward and I got you killed. I am so sorry.”
They stayed like this until cops and paramedics arrived. They took Maverick away from Lennox and took Lennox into custody for questioning on the situation.
