A Stroke Of Originality

Kevin walked into the book cafe and got in line behind two ladies. Both of which were pale of skin, and wearing colorful shirts full of flowers, and black leggings. Kevin listened to them bicker about some college guys that were going to meet them at the cafe in a few hours, and they were going to make the night memorable.  Kevin wasn’t really trying to hear anything he just wanted to grab his caramel mocha, and sit down and read his book.

Finally, after a few more minutes, Kevin finally arrived at the counter to see his favorite Barista Allie working the counter.

“Hey, Kevin!” Allie was cheerful.

“I see you’re working alone tonight, hope this tough crowd isn’t giving you trouble.” Kevin nodded towards the near-empty cafe.

Allie laughed. “Yeah, they’re making me work for it tonight, and are you going to have the usual?”

“Yes, that’s it for me.” Kevin set exactly five dollars and 27 cents on the counter as he walked towards his usual spot in the cafe. 

Kevin sat down and opened his book A Journey To Redemption. As he started reading, he could hear Allie calling for the two ladies to come to get their coffee. After Allie called for the third time, Kevin began getting curious and sat his book down to glance around the cafe.

“Not again…” Kevin mumbled out loud to no one in particular. 

Kevin picked up his book and walked back up to the counter.

“You mind keeping this safe for me?” He asked Allie holding out his book.

“Um?” Allie was confused. “Sure, are you going somewhere?”

“No, I’ll be right here, but you might need to get down and hide behind this counter.” Kevin gave a smile.

Moments later someone walked through the door, and Kevin turned around slowly to see who it was while reaching inside his jacket.

“Come out, and we…” The man started.

The moment the words left his lips Kevin drew his weapon and fired one round right between the man’s eyes. Allie screamed as the man’s lifeless body fell to the floor. Kevin looked at Allie’s face, and she was frantically shaking and holding Kevin’s book tightly. 

“Breathe Allie.” Kevin was twirling his hands in circles.

Immediately after Kevin tried to calm down, Allie stunning canisters came through the door blinding and dazing both Allie and Kevin. Kevin shot in the direction of the door as he tried to gather himself.  When he came to he looked towards the door, and noticed 2 more bodies in the doorway and multiple people beginning to run through the door. 

“Shit!” He yelled.

Kevin turned around and leaped over the counter, and grabbed the still dazed Allie while falling to the floor. When he landed, he hit Allie’s head on the floor and knocking her unconscious along with smacking his hand on a nearby cabinet making his gun go off. The bullet ricocheted from the wall and grazed a nearby propane tank. Kevin’s eyes widened at the dispensing gas coming from the propane tank. He turned away from the gas and peeked over the counter, and live gunfire came his way as he ducked back down.

“If you don’t stop shooting everyone here is going to die!” Kevin yelled over the counter.

“Nina needs you to do a job if you don’t accept I’m authorized to kill you!” A raspy voice yelled back.

“Nina knows I’m retired!”

“Final answer Kevin?” 

Kevin didn’t answer as he looked around behind the counter trying to figure out how to get him and Allie out of the cafe. 

“Okay, what’s the job?” Kevin yelled back finally as he crawled towards the propane tank trying to disconnect it.

“You’d have to talk to Nina about the job Kevin you know this.”

“Well, where is Nina right now?” Kevin didn’t really care.

As Kevin tried to disconnect it Allie began waking up, and it startled him, resulting in him dropping the propane tank. Kevin’s eyes follow the propane tank as it began rolling towards the group of people at the door.

“I guess that’s your real answer.” The man said as he saw the rolling propane tank, and gunfire began right after.

Kevin rushed to Allie’s side and shot a nearby window, and made a run for it before someone hit the propane tank with a bullet. As he made it to the window, he heard a big explosion behind him, and a massive force followed pushing him out of the window. Kevin smacked the ground with tremendous force dazing him. When he stood up the building was engulfed in flames. He helped up the now awake Allie and guided her towards the back of the building.

“What happened?” Allie asked as Kevin was guiding her.

“You don’t remember anything that happened?” Kevin asked surprised.

“No.”

“A propane tank exploded while you were working, but I got you out in time,” Kevin replied.

“We have to call the police!” Allie said in a panic.

“I already have, and they told me to get to a safe distance while they dispatch our help,” Kevin said calmly. “Now can I have my book back?” 

Allie hadn’t noticed that she was squeezing his book the whole time.

“Ah, here.” She said as she handed the book over.

After he grabbed his book, Kevin took off running towards the trees behind the building leaving Allie confused. As Kevin disappeared, another man walked up to Allie.

“Have you seen a tall man of brown skin with a large scar on his right eye?” The man asked smiling at Allie.

“Kevin?” she asked.

“That’s the one madam.” The man was charming.

“He just took off that way.” Allie pointed towards the trees.

“Thank you.” He smiled as he sprinted off towards the direction she pointed.

Allie just stared.

“What just happened?” She asked out loud to no one in particular.

 

Even when I’m not in the mood I’m trying to keep this writing going! Heres to another Friday flash fiction! Enjoy! 🙂