Black Rose

You would think that, in the city that never sleeps, the city planners would have more time to- well... plan. Maybe then I could get to the bank faster!

I know it's dangerous for a young woman to live in New York city alone. Trust me, I got more than enough of a lecture from my mother when I told her my post-graduation plans. But here's the thing, I'm not a child anymore! I'm not even a teenager. I'm a 22 year-old college graduate who just got an amazing job opportunity in a city 7000 miles from home. I'm doing fine.

I walk through the heavy glass doors and into the bank. It smells musty in here, like the air itself leaves a grimy residue on your skin. There are people standing in a single file line, chatting quietly amongst themselves so that the large room is filled with muffled noise. I find my place behind them, running my hand along the soft faux leather of my purse while I wait.

Gunfire erupts from behind me.

I fall on my ass as I attempt to turn around. Two men in masks stand back to back, the taller one holding a handgun to the air. "Listen up!" He speaks, addressing the crowd. "This is a robbery! Follow our instructions and no one gets hurt-". The man makes eye contact with me as I stare at him. I have never been so scared in my life. His eyes widen and he stumbles back into his friend. Honestly, he looks way more afraid of me than I am of him, and I'm not the one with the gun.

"Dude what the hell?' His partner asks, irritated. The taller man grabs his friend's shoulder, not breaking eye contact with me. He points directly at me with the fear of god in his eyes. Why though? I'm flat on my ass in my pencil skirt and heels. Sure, my hair is probably a mess but give me a break!

His accomplice finally notices me and nearly drops his pistol. They make eye contact and sprint from the building, leaving me, staring at the door and gasping for breath. We were required to wait there for the NYPD to arrive. That took way longer than it should have. After that we all had to give separate statements. Then, once they heard that I was the reason they left, I was brought to the station and questioned for another 2 hours.

"I'm telling you that I have no idea who they were!"

"But they saw you and then left. Why would they do that?"

"I don't know. If I did I would tell you."

"Just give it to us again, from the top."

I sighed dramatically. This is the hundredth time I told this story. "I had just gotten in line at the bank. I was going to pull three hundred from my savings account to buy a new TV. Just after that I heard the gunshots, I fell when I turned to see what was happening. The taller man was about 6'4", Caucasian, brown eyes. He wore all black, t-shirt, pants, shoes, and a mask covering the rest of his face. He saw me, freaked out and got the attention of his friend. The shorter guy was about 6'1", also Caucasian, green eyes, and wearing the same thing. They both flipped out and ran. I don't know why or what direction. The only thing of significance was that they both had black roses tattooed on the outside of their biceps. Paul, I'm really tired. That's all I know, really." I pleaded with the man in front of me.

Paul stood up. "Okay Y/n, I believe you. You can go home."

"Thank you!" I jumped up and bounced to the door. Just before I opened it, I turned around. "Paul?"

"Yeah?"

"I know this is an open case that I'm a key witness in but... can you tell me anything? I'm so confused." Paul smiled slightly.

"I can't say much. But the tattoos are the calling card of one of the world's worst crime syndicates, the Black Rose. It's run out of New York and honestly, that's all I can say."