As I was leaving, John called out to me.
> "Remember, Alex… if you say yes, there's no going back. Take as much time as you need to think about this."
I turned to look at him and nodded.
> "I will. But could you let the soldiers at the gate know to let me in if I come again?"
John smiled slightly.
> "Of course. Wait here — I'll have someone drop you off at your place."
I shook my head.
> "No need. Just get someone to take me to the gate."
He nodded again.
As I walked out of his office, everyone was still staring at me like they'd just seen a ghost.
---
When I got home, I changed and went straight to my part-time job.
Even while working, my mind kept circling back to John's offer.
Bob, who had been working with me ever since the shooting incident, noticed right away.
> "What's on your mind, kid?" he asked.
I forced a smile. "Nothing."
But Bob could tell I was thinking about something serious. Still, he didn't press me.
As my shift ended, he called me back and handed over my pay.
> "Here. Don't forget this."
"Thanks, Bob," I said, then went home — but I couldn't sleep that night.
John's words kept echoing in my head:
> "Once you say yes, there's no going back."
---
10:00 a.m., Sunday — August 3rd, 2025
Someone was pounding on my door.
I didn't even have time to wash my face before opening it. If I didn't, they probably would've broken it down.
It was my landlady — just like every month, there to collect the rent.
She looked at me like she always did — with disgust.
> "Only you could live in a dump like this," she said coldly. "And next month, the rent's going up. $1,500. If you can't pay, find somewhere else to rot."
I sighed. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Just give me five minutes — I'll get your money."
I handed her the rent, and she left without another word.
After she was gone, I sat down, thinking about everything.
After a whole night of thinking, I had decided to say no to John's offer.
For now, I just wanted to live a normal life — go to school, keep my job, watch some old movies, and see how much money I had left.
I planned to give John my answer on Saturday.
---
The next few days passed like normal — or at least, I tried to make them normal.
By Friday, I was heading to work when I suddenly heard gunshots coming from inside the shop.
I froze — then ran toward the door.
Inside, two armed men were pointing guns at Bob, yelling for him to put all the money into a bag.
Bob, terrified, did exactly as they said — he didn't want to die.
I should've run away, but I couldn't move.
Compared to what had happened two weeks ago, this should've been nothing — but still, fear held me down.
Just then, a police officer nearby heard the gunshot and called for backup.
He pulled me behind cover and told me to stay there while he tried to hold the situation until reinforcements arrived.
Five minutes later, backup came, and the officers quickly took control.
Luckily, no one was hurt.
Bob gave his statement to the police, his hands still shaking.
Then he turned to me.
> "Go home, Alex. The shop will be under investigation for a few days anyway. I… I need some time to get my head straight."
I nodded and walked him home.
On the way, he asked quietly,
> "Don't tell my wife about this yet. I'll explain when I can."
I agreed.
---
After dropping him off, I walked home, still shaken.
I kept thinking about it — what if that officer hadn't been there?
What could I have done?
That question played over and over in my head until I finally fell asleep.