A Crooked Waitress

Eric looked at his phone. He and Natalie were sitting in the blue Toyota, across the street from the jewelry store. “What are they doing?” Natalie asked. “Maybe they have some extra activity going on upstairs." He looked at her and grinned." For a second I thought we lost them for tonight." They both fell silent again and watched the shop. “When?” She asked after a while. “Any minute now.” At eight, they put on latex gloves and pulled socks on their heads. Then each picked up a shotgun from the back seat, strode across the street, and barged into the store. “Don’t even think about pushing the alarm button,” Eric shouted, pointing his gun at the owner. ”In the corner, now! Over there.” McKinley and Rose scurried to a corner and sat on the floor. Natalie sprayed the cameras with black paint, leaving dark circles on the wall. His two-barrel shotgun pointed at the hostages, Eric glanced at two ends of the street and drew the curtains. Natalie went behind the showcases, leaned her gun against the wall, and emptied trays full of jewelry into a garbage bag. Rose was shaking, and tears poured down her eyes." We're gonna die. We're gonna die here tonight. I'm so young. It's too soon." McKinley grabbed her shoulders. "It's Okay. They’ll take what they want, and leave.” “Is it true Mr.? You leave when you get the jewels?” She asked Eric, her voice breaking. "Shut your mouth." He pointed the shotgun at her face. “He's gonna kill us. He's gonna kill us." Her gaze moved between the gun muzzle and his eyes. Eric sneered, enjoying her fear. A big diamond hung from a gold necklace. Natalie picked it up, and her eyes sparkled, admiring its delicate chain and smoothly cut stone. “How much is this worth, old man?” McKinley stared at her. " Grump!" She dropped the necklace in the bag. Rose's water tap was still running. " He's gonna kill us. He's gonna kill us." She whimpered.