It took a second for me to actually realize what was happening. All I saw at first was the guy that was reading a magazine when I walked in standing in front of the counter. Only now he had a gun. I choked on a mouthful of cherry slurpee. The man whipped around, grinning. Great.
“Hi there. Just making a transaction, be just a second.”
He laughed wildly, turning back to the clerk.
“The money, now.”
The clerk was now staring directly into my eyes, silently pleading for me to do something. All I could do was stare back. The thief started to wave his pistol a bit more violently.
“Money. Now.”
Another pause. The rest of the store was empty, unless someone was laying in the aisles. Not likely, at four in the morning. Street empty and dark. Still the clerk’s eyes didn’t leave mine.
“Now.” This time it was punctuated by a shot. Two shots, then the would be thief was out the door in silence. I couldn’t move. All I could do is stare as the clerk slid down, blood smearing on the case behind him.

What just happened?