Guiding Light (GxGxG)

1. I dare you to kill me.

TW//violence

Cora's POV

Swinging my leg over the bike with a fluid motion, I dismounted gracefully, anticipation buzzing through me. I tossed my helmet back onto the handlebar, freeing my hair, which cascaded down to my hips in a sleek, black waterfall. For a moment, I stood there, revelling in the freedom, feeling each strand sway lightly in the gentle breeze.

I scanned the parking lot with a discerning eye, noting the various individuals going about their day, oblivious to the shift in the air. If all went well, all the ones in the store would leave alive too. As much as I didn't hesitate to kill, I had a code. I killed those who deserved it, those who threatened my life and the lives of others. 

With a deep breath and a confident stride, I approached the store, my boots making soft thuds on the pavement. The mundane scene before me—people milling about, carts clattering, and cars coming and going—contrasted sharply with the danger of my presence. 

Everyone looked at me as I entered, their faces already screwing up, the judgment in their eyes. I glanced around the store and gulped before taking a tentative step. The guards came forward. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Why?" I questioned. It was only fair. I had done nothing to offend these people. 

"The shoppers are uncomfortable."

I let out a shallow laugh, and a few people stared warily at me, murmuring. "I'm uncomfortable too, trust me. But I need food just like the rest of them, so excuse me."

He stepped forward to block my way, flicking out his baton, and another guard joined, pulling out his gun. The shoppers all stopped to stare, the silent praise in their eyes at the guard's behaviour. 

In a swift motion, I reached for the curved blades concealed within their holsters at my sides. With a practised flick, I ignited them, feeling the heat rush from my core to the weapons in my hand. The dance of the flames as the metal glowed from the intense heat always mesmerised me. Even for someone like me, who wielded fire without the ability to be burned.

The guards took a step back at the sight of them, but their faces only hardened. "Get out of my way." I cautioned, hoping I wouldn't have to use the knives. 

However, they stood firm, closing in on me. At the stroke of his baton, I lunged forward, ripping through the fragile flesh of his neck, searing the wound in the process. I pivoted quickly, managing to dodge a bullet from the other guard before gliding the blade through his gut, then straight through the last one who sprinted at me from between the aisle, from the crotch to the last hair on his balding head.

The smell of fresh blood made my eyes glow red, and I turned to the horrified shoppers with a mixture of disappointment and irritation stirring inside me. "I think this is where you run and trample each other."

The chaos unfolded immediately. It was a complete catastrophe. People ran for the door. Babies were screaming. Even adults were screaming. Shelves tumbled over, and cashiers disappeared from their posts.

I shook my head and carried on. I came here for a reason and I had every intention of doing what I came here to do. Otherwise, what would be the point? Perhaps, this time, I could get enough cash to serve me a good year and help me get my flower shop business off the ground. Then they won't have to see me more than twice a year. Amy could do my shopping even. She wouldn't mind and I think it would be best for everyone. 

I'll even grab some bacon while I'm here—lots of it. It's been a while since I had some, and tonight, I would like to pig out. With swift movements, I approached each cash register and unzipped the backpack slung over my shoulders. It was empty now, but its emptiness was soon to be filled with the day's unusual haul. One by one, I emptied the contents of every register, the crisp sound of paper and the jingle of coins filling the air as I transferred the bounty into my bag. The weight of the backpack increased with each addition, gradually transforming from a mere accessory to a hefty load that seemed to anchor me to the spot.