EXISTENCE

CHAPTER 4: Fiasco at the Mall, Part II

Jasmine was confused. Who were these three boys? They looked like they were ready to fight a wrestler or something. 

She looked to Juan, her escort, and saw his eyes focused in a way she'd never seen before. This boy had been in her class since the eighth grade, and it wasn't until now that she was able to get a good look at his face, without him noticing anyways. He was actually very handsome.

She turned her attention to Gabriel. It was obvious that he was in charge of their little gang. The look on his face suggested that he'd been in a situation like this before. His eye caught hers and he smiled.

"Don't worry. We can handle whatever happens. Juan's got you."

She felt a hand around her waist. She turned to Juan. He was smiling. "I'll make sure you're safe, Jazz. Can I call you Jazz?"

Jasmine nodded slowly.

"Awesome."

Gabriel stood up straight and began walking over to the man with the gun. The girl who stood in front of him turned her head.

"Oh?" she said. "You're the boy from the school."

"That's me," Gabriel replied. He took a good look at the girl.

She was of average height for a teenage girl. Her hair was a solid black, and it parted down the middle almost too perfectly. Her skin was pale, and her expression seemed rather bored. She was wearing a hoodie; odd choice given the weather was so hot today. She didn't seem evil at all – if anything she seemed bored – so where could that dark feeling have come from? Was it really her energy he was sensing?

No, thought Gabriel, it is her. Why else would she be standing in front of a crazy guy with a gun without freaking out right now?

The girl smiled. "I see you too have powers. You're like me."

Gabriel smiled. He was right. "I was wondering why you weren't screaming like the rest of them."

"Because of this guy?" she faced the man, who was shaking with the gun in his hand. "Please. He can't even aim a gun properly."

The man was trembling. The gun in his hand was horrendously unsteady, as if an old man was trying to drink his cup of coffee. He was confused; why hadn't these brats run away yet? They were kids! They should realize they have lives to live, shouldn't they? He pointed his gun at the boy with the bandanna. Shooting him wouldn't be so bad, would it? He wore a bandanna; he had to be a thug, right? No one would miss him, right? But the boy didn't move an inch. He just stood there, smiling. He was mocking him. He was giving him that look; the look a boy gives his little brother when he screws up and tries to cover it up.

He hated that look. He hated that smile. He hated that boy.

Adam stood up sharp and focused his gaze on the man. There was something there, something practically radiating from him; unlike the girl, who seemed to hold her energy under control, this guy was practically about to burst at any moment.

But how? thought Adam. Then he realized. He has no idea what it is he's feeling, does he?

"BOSS!" cried out Adam. "That guy is dangerous! He's gonna blow!"

Gabriel quickly glanced over to the man, who bore a deranged look in his eyes and had a face that was all but contorted with anger and anxiety. The man was clearly insane. Without warning he lifted the gun steadily and fired.

Jasmine screamed. The other girl just watched. Adam and Juan looked to Gabriel, who held his arm level to his face, fist tightly clenched.

Gabriel smiled. "So, looks like you know what you're looking for, eh?"