Forever

Traitor

He lay on his back, propped up on his elbow, staring at the man while he ranted. Jo and Hanson were lying in their stomachs, both watching as well. All around them, people were crying, some as they tried to pull fallen glass from their arms. Henry resisted the urge to scream and cover his ears. Thus was too much like World War II. Too much; It was like the dead and the dying were worming their way past his defenses and forcing bitter memories to rise to the surface. He shook his head slightly, bringing the thoughts to an abrupt halt. No one was dead here; They just had glass in their skin. That he could deal with. Henry threw a glance over his shoulder, towards Jo. She gave him a questioning look, and he pulled himself to her, careful to keep his head down low and his ears open for the slightest hint of a bullet clicking into place. Once he was there, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I'm going to see if anyone needs help." He winced. "And if I get shot, please, Detective, play it off."

Jo nodded, and Henry knew she understood immediately what he was talking about. The man heard- Whirled on his heels and stalked toward them, pistol aimed for Henry's forehead.

"What you talkin' about?"

Henry stared at the little black circle in the center of the gun, daring it to fire, daring it to reveal his meticulously protected secret. The man swung it and demanded to know what they had whispered about again.

Both Henry and Jo kept their mouths shut.

"Well? Tell me!!" He snapped. Henry sighed.

"I was asking her whether she thought it was a good idea to try and help the people who've been injured." He said plainly. Jo and Hanson held their breath as the suspect turned and eyed them.

"His story check out?"

"Yep. He's an ME." Jo muttered hurriedly. Henry nodded.

"Whassat mean?"

"Medical Examiner. I..... Dissect bodies for a living." He replied. The suspect stared them down, then turned and continued pacing the front of the store. Henry looked urgently to Hanson and Jo. "We need to find the bomb. He's clearly going to die with us."

"Yeah? Which on'll go?" Hanson grunted, watching the man.

"I'll.... Do it. I've had experience with explosives before." Not experience, he thought briefly, the last time I handled a bomb, I set the timer to three seconds and died.

So much for being a good soldier. But then, it was simple; Whatever even remotely looked like it could explode would be liable to do just that.

"You sure? You look like the kinda guy who'll blow himself up." Jo whispered jokingly. Henry let a faint chuckle escape his mouth before studying the suspect.

"Look at how he paces. He won't go near the registers, but he covers the men's room kplike there's something of.... Value.... Inside."

Hanson stole a glance and nudged his elbow. "And what do you think he does that for?"

Henry looked at the Detective, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It means that he may have hidden the bomb."

"So-"

"Mister!" Henry said sharply, raising his voice over the murmering of terrified people. Hanson and Jo shared looks, but nearly backed away from Henry as the suspect came over, annoyed. Once he was closer, Henry pointed to the bathroom. "Sir, I really have to go-"

"Piss?"

"Well...." He looked around like he was embarrassed. "Yes."

The suspect contemplated it, keeping the gun evenly aimed at Henry's head. After a few moments, his eye twitched and he smirked. "I should make you sit here and wet yourself."