Melody inhaled deeply as the police officers stepped into the bank, their authoritative presence offering a glimmer of reassurance amidst the chaos.
Her mind replayed the terrifying encounter with the robber, each moment etched vividly in her memory.
She shook her head, grappling with the duality of her instinctive reaction—was it bravery or sheer stupidity to confront a man holding a gun, a complete stranger?
The thought sent shivers down her spine as she wondered what might have transpired had she not been able to call the police before her phone was violently wrenched from her grip.
If no one had been alerted, the man might have unleashed his fury on her, and the chilling possibility of her life being taken loomed large.
Her gaze trailed down to her arm to see the bruising grip he had placed there, an unsettling reminder of his simmering rage.
The audacity of her words echoed in her mind—how could she have dared to call him a bastard?
In that fleeting moment, she sensed his hesitation, a crack in his steely exterior. Oh God, she placed a trembling hand over her chest, feeling the panic rise within her.
What had transpired just moments ago? If he had lost control, if that gun had gone off, it would have been the end for her.
Turning her attention back to the police, she observed them diligently attending to the shaken customers, their focused expressions suggesting a methodical approach to the investigation.
"Melody!" Her manager's voice sliced through her thoughts, drawing her attention. She hurried over, eager to respond to his call.
"You filed the reports, right?" he asked, his eyes wide with a mixture of concern and gratitude. She nodded, and soon, a police officer stepped forward to take her statement.
"I witnessed the whole thing and made a quick call before heading to the elevator. But then as I arrived at the upper floor and the elevator opened, the robber grabbed me and forced me to move along with the rest of the staff," she explained, her voice steady despite the tremors of fear that still coursed through her.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Melody Brown. If we have further inquiries, we'll be in touch," the officer replied, her notebook filled with details of that event.
Melody nodded to show her understanding.
Her manager turned to her, a frown marring his features. "Melody, what can I say? You saved us today... But I need to ask—what were you thinking when you told him to pull the trigger? That was reckless, even if it was meant to buy us time. We could have lost you!" He scolded, the concern etched deeply in his voice.
She bit her lip, knowing he was right.
"I guess I lost my head for a moment," she admitted with a nervous chuckle, feeling her heart pound—only now returning to life, a stark contrast from the numbness she had felt during the ordeal.
"Glad to see you've got it back," he muttered, giving her a reassuring pat on the back as he turned to comfort the other staff members.
He was grateful that the cash in the vault remained untouched.
what if the robbers had broken through the vault?
What if Melody hadn't called the police in that critical moment? A wave of anxiety washed over him as he witnessed the customers who remained distraught over the chaos.
As Melody drove home, her thoughts spiraled back to the robbery, the image of the robber's dark, piercing gaze haunting her.
His grip on her wrist, the ominous threat of his words—that he would find her—plagued her mind.
What could he have meant?
Parking her car in front of her apartment, she hesitated, glancing over her shoulder, every instinct heightened.
His chilling promise echoed in her ears, and with newfound wariness, she scanned her surroundings until she stepped into the elevator. Pressing the button for her floor, she felt a tingle of unease—the air felt thick, as if it too was aware of her vulnerability.
As the elevator opened, she exhaled slowly upon stepping out.
She unlocked her apartment door with trembling fingers and flicked on the light.
Melody steadily scruntinized her living space, she struggled to comprehend the contrast: just hours before, she had stood defiantly in front of a gun, now she was trembling at the thought of danger hiding in the shadows.
She could only ask herself which was more scary, being at the gun point or having someone lurking just in the shadows and not knowing when they would pop out. Nah, the latter was scarier, she wasn't a fan of those horror trope.
Then, her phone erupted with a sudden ring, piercing the quiet. "What the hell—" she murmured, nearly dropping it as she scrambled to steady it against her ear.
"Hello, Aunt Nina," she said, her voice a melodic echo amidst her anxiety. Moving away from the door, she set her bag down on the table, trying to shake off the remnants of fear.
"Hi, Melody. I saw the news. I was so worried! Is everything alright?" Aunt Nina's voice crackled with concern.
"Yeah, Aunt. I'm fine. The police handled everything. There were some casualties, but they're under control now, by God's grace," she responded, her fingers fumbling to unbutton her shirt.
"Listen, if that's how you feel, just be careful, Melody. Your city has seen better days, and these crimes aren't just a fluke. Things are getting worse, and you need to stay safe," Aunt Nina urged her voice a mix of concern and sternness.
Melody's lips curved into a smile, her brown eyes suddenly shimmering with a spark.
"I appreciate your concern, Aunt. I will take care of myself," she replied, biting her lip, a habit that signified both reassurance and resolve.
"You'd better," Aunt Nina shot back.
"I can't afford to keep checking up on you," her tone laced with playful sarcasm, but the underlying worry was palpable.
With a playful roll of her eyes, Melody turned her attention to the window. Just then, a chilling sight caught her eye—a shadowy figure, draped in a midnight-black outfit, face obscured by a mask that revealed only unyielding black eyes.
Was he here already!?
A thrill of fear crept up her spine, her heart racing in her chest. She fought to maintain her composure, but it was evident that her aunt sensed the sudden shift in her demeanor.
"Are you alright, Melody?" Aunt Nina inquired, her voice tightening with concern.
"Yes, I'm fine, Aunt," Melody reassured her, although a frown slowly creased her forehead as she noticed the figure had vanished like smoke.
"Thank you for checking in. I'll call you when I can." With that, she ended the call.
Taking a steadying breath, Melody approached the window, her heart still racing as she glanced left and right, searching for any trace of the mysterious figure.
But the street was empty, eerily silent. Without a moment's hesitation, she pulled the window shut and drew the curtains together.