TWO YEARS EARLIER

I held her hand.

I held her hand like she was the women I loved.
She was the women I loved.

"I love you."

But she did not hear me, she was sleeping. Little did I know this would be the last time I would ever see her. I kissed her forehead, grabbed my briefcase and left for work. I left the woman I loved, sleeping, beautiful in the morning sunlight spilling through the windows. I turned and shut the door on her, seeing her for the last time.

PRESENT DAY

I awoke to the sound of the television. Traffic report. Why did they report it? I work in the middle of Charlotte, it's always jammed, Monday through Friday. The only dedicated thing in my life anymore.
I glanced at my watch. Not enough time. Never enough time. I took a shower, dressed myself and stared at the clock. 8:30 am. I got in my car, and turned the key. Suddenly I felt cool steel on the back of my neck. I looked in my rearview. A man with a mask on had his gun against my neck. He looked at me through the little holes. He wrapped his arm around my neck, his gun still on me.

"Give me your wallet."

I calmed and sat still.

"GIVE ME YOUR WALLET!"

I slipped my hand into my back pocket. I handed him my wallet.

With his gun still on me, he put it in his pocket.

I turned around and looked him in the eyes.
"Hey James. What did we talk about?"

He removed his mask and cursed.
"How did you know it was me?!"

"Your voice. You sopund exactly the same behind that stupid mask. Now give me my wallet before I punch you."

James Ian was a 17 year old kid, his parents were divorced, his mom is a crack head and his dad is abusive. He panhandles and steals here and there. I've talked to him several times. I know his type, I know how he thinks, but I can't believe he'd be stupid enough to try it on me.

He handed me my wallet. I shook his hand and told him to scram. I had palmed him 20 bucks.
He looked at me with gratitude. He walked away, down the sidewalk. But I noticed something strange on the street. A black Hummer was speeding our direction. I saw the window rolling down. I ran as fast is I could down the sidewalk torwards James. I tackled him to the ground as shots fired overhead. The black Hummer sped off and was turning around. I ran to the nearest house and opened the door. Miss Hunnington was sitting behind her couch. She had heard the shots and hid. The Hummer came back down the street, shooting at the house then sped off again. The plate was gone. Just a black Hummer H2. I looked at James, and realized he was bleeding from the leg.