Dumbfounded, Zinnia watched on nervously as the man in front of her doubled over laughing.
Is this a good sign? Or maybe he's a psycho who'll shoot me once he stops laughing?
Wary, she took an instinctive step back. Recognising the futility of her action, Zinnia stood her ground as she waited on tenterhooks for the man to stop laughing, becoming increasingly annoyed at how their survival seemed nothing more than a joke to this man, who was the very reason for their current predicament! In her heart she cursed the man to lifelong impotence and alopecia as she cleared her throat in an attempt to bring his focus back on track.
"Ahem!"
"Sorry! But Pfft! Ah sorry, I'm listening, I'm listening! Go ahead, explain how you intend to cooperate and guard us from the police?"
Sniggers from several of the masked men made it's way into her ears, but Zinnia resolutely ignored them. Clearly her idea was somewhat plausible right? Otherwise why would he even hear her out?
Besides he doesn't have much of a choice, Zinnia reasoned, right now, these men are cornered like rats and we're the perfect bait for both them and the police.
Feeling more confident, Zinnia raised her head as she confidently explained to the big rat, er big boss, that they could walk out while shielding themselves behind a wall of hostages to get to their getaway vehicle and drive off once safely inside.
"Bad idea boss, as soon as we're in the vehicle we're no different than sitting ducks for snipers or that eye in the sky" analysed Alex thoughtfully. He was right, the whir of helicopter blades could be heard in the distance.
Aaron tapped his right index finger rhythmically against his thigh as he considered the words of his second-in-command. In actuality he hadn't expected a working plan from the young woman in front of him, it just served as a nice distraction while he considered their options. The fact that she made him laugh was an added bonus, relieving some of the tension he was feeling.
"Besides, what's to stop this lot from betraying us the first chance they get? And exactly how is one girl going to cover all five of us? Multiple trips? It's a dumb idea, we all need to move together as fast as possible," Alex continued to grumble, casting a bombastic side eye towards Zinnia.
This time, Aaron rolled his eyes at Alex as they communicated once again with their eyes.
You think I'm an idiot?
I never said that, boss.
You think I'd consider some half-baked idea from a crazy woman?
You let her talk, usually you would just shoot.
I don't shoot women.
What about Prague? Ankara? Kyoto?
Shut up before I shoot you.
Oblivious to the war of words between the two men, Zinnia had to admit the man was right, her impulsive words were short-sighted. After all, her focus was on trying to survive. How could she consider things as thoroughly as criminals trying to evade the law? Thinking she no longer had anything to offer she discreetly tried to minimise her presence and sit back down.
Feeling annoyed, Aaron caught the woman trying to back down and decided to string her along to entertain himself further. He could already picture her coming up with another amusing plan, while trying to put on a brave front. His mouth curved up slightly under his mask. Extending his arm, he grabbed her elbow securely, preventing her from sitting down and loomed over her.
"Hmmm your idea isn't bad but we'll need to flesh it out a bit further. Seeing as it's your first time, I'll give you 30 minutes to improve it. Don't disappoint me, little lady, otherwise…" though the man spoke in a jovial tone, his words were clearly a promise of violence. He watched as the woman frantically nodded her head, her coffee brown hair falling around her face, framing it. Then holding her by both arms, he gently assisted her to sit back down on the floor. Satisfied at his little prank, the man turned his attention to his men as they quietly discussed their own route to survival.
Some of the other hostages glanced at her in pity, while others with mockery, but none dared to offer any help. Averting their eyes, they pretended not to see the plight the young woman was in, after all, apart from a few words of comfort there really wasn't much else they could do.
Unaware that she was being toyed with, Zinnia trembled as she took in a shaky breath.
This is called reaping what you sow, thought Zinnia. If only she hadn't opened her mouth. What had she thought? To live her life more vibrantly? Be true to herself? Staying quiet was being true to herself. Why had she thought now was a good time to change the status quo? She must've gone crazy. Filled with bitterness and regret at her impulsive actions Zinnia cradled her head in her hands as she wracked her brain for the umpteenth time that day looking for a glimmer of survival.
Sweat trickled down her face, her eyes helplessly fixed to the big noisy clock, watching her deadline fast approaching. With adrenaline and dread surging through her, Zinnia's thoughts turned towards a more morbid direction, hoping her end would be quick and painless and dark thoughts she hadn't want to acknowledge, clamoured for her attention.
What if all the hostages...? But that's such a terrible idea...
Zinnia's eyes flickered shut. When all was said and done, Zinnia knew she could never put forth such a ruthless option. A quick and painless end was the most she could hope for.
Tick tock, tick tock.
Thud, thud, thud...
Having reconciled herself to some degree, Zinnia breathed in deeply, savouring perhaps, her last few moments on this earth. Dazed, she calmly opened her eyes to once again meet that narrowed steely gaze, hidden behind a mask, kneeling in front of her.