12 Plot Points Of Christmas: A Writer's Challenge

Chapter 2: Bang

The person who texted was a mutual friend of a friend, letting Beverlee know that someone she had been waiting for had returned from their 'business trip.'

Due to certain circumstances, this someone didn't have their own communications device as of yet, but a special support network had been set up to make sure both were able to keep in touch with each other.

"How soon can you visit?" the texter asked. "They are eager to see you."

She was just as eager to see them, perhaps more.

She texted back, "Have the portal ready for five o'clock. Should be ready then. Will text if there are any delays. Should I bring anything?"

There was a pause, then the text, "They said, 'Just your lovely self... and wear outdoor clothing.'"

Beverlee smiled. Now, even more, she looked forward to the end of the workday.

Talk about TGIF!

****

After work, Beverlee raced to get home then got washed and changed. By five o'clock, an orange portal with geometric edges that made it look like a Spirograph artwork opened up in her living room. For most people, to see such a sight would be quite a shock, but for Beverlee, this was a normal occurrence.

Checking that she had everything with her, she stepped through the portal.

As she had suspected from the text, the portal had sent Beverlee to an outdoor location. The weather at this site wasn't too cold, but cold enough that she was glad to be wearing a heavy jacket and scarf to protect herself against it. She found herself standing on a sidewalk in front of a large shopping mall. She heard a familiar voice behind her before she could take everything in about her surroundings.

"My clever girl."

She turned around. There he was.

"Loki!" she cried out and quickly went over to where he was standing.

They embraced each other warmly.

"I missed you, Beverlee," Loki said. "I'm so glad I didn't have to wait too long to see you again."

"Likewise," Beverlee said. "But this isn't the usual place we meet. What's this all about?"

"We, that is, the Initiative, are celebrating the takedown of yet another perp... and for me, the rare moment that I came away from it unscathed."

"That's definitely a reason to celebrate," she smiled up at him. "But I'm not part of the Initiative, why did you ask me to join you?"

"After the Hallowe'en party, they couldn't stop asking about you," he chuckled. He released one of his hands from the embrace to slowly stroke her cheek, "You certainly charmed them, and they wanted to see you again."

"I did have a good time at that party," she said, feeling very touched. "I wondered if I'd ever get to see them again."

"Well, let's not keep them waiting," he smiled.

Releasing the hug, Loki took Beverlee's hand, and they entered the lobby of the mall. Loki explained that in this mall there was a bar that the Initiative liked to frequent after missions. The bartender concocted some great cocktails and the chef boasted the best appetizers.

Beverlee was nothing but keen. Being with her dear friend and people who also wanted to see her - she was excited and almost overwhelmed with utter happiness.

As they continued down the walkway...

Suddenly they heard shots fired...

Gunshots?!

They were extremely loud...

And sounded quite close...

Then they saw it - it was a man with a handgun.

Mall patrons were now screaming and running willy-nilly in terror.

Beverlee had only read about such situations but never had been in one herself. Terror also gripped her, but knowing she was with her friend made those feelings less intense.

Loki pointed to an information kiosk in the centre of the walkway. It wasn't too far, but it still would take a few seconds to reach. They both ran towards it in a serpentine way...

BANG! 

Beverlee cried out in pain. She tripped and fell to the floor.

"BEVERLEE!" Loki shouted.

He lifted her into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way to the kiosk, then carefully laid her on the floor behind it. Taking off his scarf, he rolled it and placed it underneath her head. Loki knew that if the gunman came near them, he was now in a position to protect Beverlee and easily take him down.

Very easily.

Loki was relieved to find Beverlee was still breathing, but obviously, she had been hit somewhere.

"Forgive me," he whispered, unzipping her jacket and removing her scarf. He gently but anxiously examined her with his hands, trying to locate where she was wounded...