200: NOT HERE TO PLAY LUKE’S POV And after hearing that gunshot, I wasn’t settled. What the hell could be going on outside this building? I could have been scared, but what was the point of being terrified of death when I was already dead myself? Then, the sound of gunshots filled the air in the next few seconds. People were screaming and running in all directions, trying to find safety. I instinctively grabbed May’s hand and pulled her towards the exit, pushing through the crowd of panicked individuals. “What the hell is going on?” I yelled over the chaos. “I think it’s a robbery,” May shouted back, her voice trembling with fear. We finally made it outside, but the chaos didn’t stop there. The streets were filled with people running and shouting, and the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance. I turned to May, trying to catch my breath. “We need to get out of here.” May nodded, her eyes wide with fear. We started to run, not knowing where we were headed, just trying to escape the chaos. As we turned the corner, we came face–to–face with a group of masked men, all armed with guns. “Give us your money and jewelr one of them demanded, pointing his gun at us. This was the part where I let out a deep sigh. I crossed my arms. “Are you serious?” “Do we look like we came here to play? Give us your money, or we’re going to shoot the hell out of both of you!” “Please, just take what you want and leave us alone,” May pleaded, her voice shaking. But the robbers didn’t seem to care. They were focused on their mission, and we were just collateral damage. “Of course, we came to take your money and your life as well.” One of the robbers told May, and his gun was pointed at her. “My life?” She made a confused face. “I don’t get it. Am I the main target here?” “You sure are, pretty lady.” “So you’re not after the money? You’re after my life?” “Shut the hell up! You ask too many questions!” “Because I need to know what the hell is going on here,” she maybe vocalized loudly, which was quite surprising because a minute ago, she was all scared and terrified. “There’s no need for us to explain any sh*t to you. You brought this upon yourself.” 2/3 “Okay, that’s enough!” I chimed in with a snarl and then took a step forward. “Don’t come close. You do that; we’ll shoot.” “Go ahead. You think I’m scared of dying?” May looked at me and whispered immediately, “Are you crazy?” “Are you seriously asking me that?” “Of course I am. You’re daring these guys to shoot you. Don’t you love your life?” “Apparently, this life’s now a useless one. What’s the point of living if the people you want are not by your side?” “You have got to be kidding me.” She gave me a skeptical look. I shook my head, laughing slightly. “Oh, I’m not kidding.” “Well, if you want to die, you have to give me your wealth first.” I gave her a crazy look, blurting out immediately, “What?” “Yes. I heard you’re a billionaire. So, if you want to die and leave your money behind, go ahead. You’re good to go. But do everything for me. I’ll be very thankful. You’ll always have a place in my heart.” “What? No!” I shook my head, still giving her the absurd face. “Hey, morons!” One of the robbers snapped, and we both turned to them. “It seems like you forgetting that we’re still here with our guns. “Stay out of this!” May and I yelled at them, and we started arguing. both are “Oh, shut up!” One of the men released a gunshot right in the air, causing me and May to give them our attention. “Now, can they both please have some senses around here? Don’t you love your life?” “I don’t,” I replied right away. “I do,” May said, speaking like a flash. We both responded at the same time. “Okay, she does.” I pointed at her. The robbers were just looking at us; they looked confused. “What?” She blurted it out immediately. “What? I’m just trying to help you out. You clearly said you loved your life.” “Oh yeah, I did.” “Okay, stop this silly nonsense!” One of the robbers snapped, shooting at the ground near us. May and I stepped backward. “You both are fools; we won’t hesitate to shoot!” 200 NOT HERE TO PLAY 1/3 “Drop your weapons and put your hands up!” a police officer yelled, his gun pointed at the robbers. The robbers turned around. “Who the fuck is that?” “Your worst nightmare,” a cop retorted, and their for didn’t hesitate to shoot at them. Chaos erupted once again at that moment, as did the robbers and the police. May and I took the opportunity to run in the opposite direction. We split, and I needed to find out where the lady we went to was. I thought the both of us were running together, but now I couldn’t see her. Moving forward, I heard a woman’s voice pleading for whoever was with us to let her go. I fastened my pace, and lo and behold, I saw a man with a lot of beard on his face, trying to force himself on my aunt, Mariam. I never thought I’d see her again. I hated her, but that wouldn’t change the fact that what the beard man was doing was wrong. “Let go of me!” My aunt cried out, but the man wouldn’t still heed her. “Hey!” 1 bawled, and the man halted, turning around to look at me. “What?” He asked, giving me a disgusting face. “Better get your hands off her.” “And who are you, huh? Her husband?” “You don’t need to know. Just let go of her, and I promise there won’t be any trouble.” The man laughed, taking off his hands. He ain’t Mariam. His laughter continued as he made his way toward me. “Trouble? You think you can do shit around here?” “Well…….I know.” In a split second, he lunged forward and threw a punch at me with full force. But with lightning–fast reflexes, I dodged his attack, narrowly avoiding his fist as it grazed past me. Without wasting any time, I counterattacked, hitting him hard in the stomach with all my might. As my fist connected with his belly, I could feel the impact reverberate through my arm, and I could see the surprise and pain on his face. It was satisfying to have successfully dodged his attack and then delivered a powerful blow in return. He moved back, holding his belly in pain. I could see that. “Come on, man. Is that all you got?” I challenged him, clenching my fists. He moved in my direction before he shouldered me to the ground, and we both fell, the impact knocking the wind out of me. Before I could do anything, he began to punch my face with a fury that made my head spin. I could feel the pain radiating through my body, but I refused to give up. As he reared back for another strike, I seized his arm, and with all my might, I punched his face with all the strength I had left. The force of my blow caused him to shift back for a brief moment.
