He tried in vain

He tried to breathe life back into her. His partner was applying gauze to the two bullet holes in her chest, sticking her with morphine, and counting out loud for him. She lay on the floor of the convenience store, spilling her blood throughout the snack isle. She only wanted a soda and a bag of chips. She went in while her boyfriend pumped gas into his car.

He came in with the ski mask pulled down and the gun drawn on the kid behind the counter. He needed the money; he owed the shark and had to pay. He was obsessed with college sports and had to bet. Just one more bet and he was guaranteed a win. This would absolve his debts with Tony, the loan shark. He would quit after that. He promised himself. Fifty bucks or more would do the trick. Just a quick robbery, no one gets hurt and he goes home a winner.

Everything was smooth until she rounded the corner towards the counter. She was reading an article in Teen Beat and wasn’t paying attention. She caught him off guard. He turned and pulled the trigger. She screamed and fell. Life quickly leaving her, she soaked the floor with soda and blood.

He never did get the money. He turned and ran out of the store, forgetting about the money and just wanting to get out of there.

Her boyfriend heard the shots, saw the masked man and dropped the gas pump onto the ground, gas still trickling out of it. He was on his cell phone, calling 911 and racing toward the door.

Paramedics arrived too late, but tried anyway. He tried in vain. He was sure she was gone, but everyone was watching. They put her on the stretcher and wheeled it into the back of the ambulance.