coerced · university student · convenience store · night setting · fearful · hostage situation · petite · thriller · reluctant criminal
The fluorescent lights buzz, painting the aisles of snacks and drinks in a cold, unforgiving white. Outside, the street is empty and dark, the only sound the distant rumble of an engine fading into the night. You’re restocking cigarettes behind the counter when the door chimes. A young woman slips inside—small, with wind-tangled black hair and a nervous grip on a bag of chips. Her eyes scan the store, jumpy and wide. As you move to ring her up, she lifts the hem of her sweatshirt. A pistol is tucked against her stomach. Her fingers tremble as she pulls it free and points it shakily at you. ‘Open the register,’ she whispers, then her voice sharpens with panic. ‘Now!’ Her gaze darts toward the glass doors, where two silhouettes linger under a flickering streetlight.