Gunshots rang over my head as I pulled my sister Nora down to the floor, other customers were running frantically about, screaming, crying, and calling for help. There were two masked men with guns in their hands that stood at the front counter demanding money from the clerk. Still in a state of fear, I covered my sister's mouth with my hand as we hid amongst the clothing racks. I didn't want to distract the armed robbers with the hope that they would just take the money and leave. That day we were in the mall shopping for dad's birthday gift!.
Suddenly I heard , ''let's get out of here'', as they made a mad dash towards the front entrance of the door. I then gave a heavy sigh of relief as I removed my hand from my sister's mouth, her eyes were fixed on me as she was shivering. I asked " Nora are you okay? The gunmen have left the store". She hesitated for a moment before she cried out. " Take me home right now." As we were walking out the store and looking around, we saw people slowly sticking their heads out of other nearby stores to see if all was clear to come out. "Where are the police when you needed one?", Nora asked, as we scurried to our vehicle.
In the evening it was confirmed on the radio that three people were shot dead and one older woman who had heart attack had been hospitalized.
Nora said " I'll never come shopping again in my life . This is the last time I ever go out to buy anything". While I was still shaking , I tried to remain calm. I didn't want Nora to know I was very afraid. I had to always keep my cool around her being a role model for her to look up to, but I did lose my cool , because I'm not the cause why the store got robbed, so I lashed out at her and said " Shut your damn mouth, there where people injured in the store and it could have very well been us. " I can see the fear still in her eyes as I was trying to keep my composer as we drove home.
Arriving home , Nora ran upstairs and narrated to mom what had happened. She was sobbing after every syllable spoken as she was still upset from the shooting. Mom consoled her , then spoke with me on what had happened . I was speechless , I didn't know how to say that it was my fault that I put Nora in danger. As I turned to walk away tears filled the weld of my eyes. I kept seeing the men with mask shooting around me. It took everything I had not to run out of the house into the streets and just kept running, but I must be strong as my mother had always taught me to be.
Later that night as we sat around the dinner table. Mom said " Mia why don't you say grace dear before we eat ," Nora stood up at the table shaking and grabbed the butcher knife , She thrusted it deep into the turkey. The only thing she could think about is the video that kept playing over and over in her mind about the gunmen shooting her in the head, and the recorded scratched record of people yelling and screaming almost drove her mad.
Mia understood how Nora felt, she too couldn't escape the misery of what happened on that day. Trying to tame her feelings , she suddenly became enraged and hit the table with her hand to see if she was still among the living. Mom slapped Nora and told Mia to get a grip. She insisted upon praying to calm both girls down. All of them go to church on a regular basis and this is what Mom said'
If you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord "and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. "
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