Lynda ran into the mall, sweeping her eyes around the entrance. She saw a group of people at a table inside the Pizza Pizza. Their eyes bulged. A teen with shaggy hair had part of a slice in his mouth, not chewing. Blood dotted Lynda’s face and painted part of her clothes. She saw a cell phone on the table in front of the shaggy teen. She moved towards it, eyes fastened on it like a person in a desert, dying of thirst, spotting an oasis and the promise of cool water. A boom sounded right outside the doors behind her. Her shoulders jumped to her ears and she spun to see what caused it. The inside windshield of the Toyota was a solid, dark red. Ray, carrying a shotgun, saw her and smiled. He started running towards her.

To the teens, Lynda said, “Call the police!”

She ran from Ray. She didn’t have a plan other than to get away. She saw murder in his smile. And the smile was for her alone. She turned a corner and behind her, she heard Ray yell, “I’m gonna shut you up now, Lynda! You better fucking believe it!”