A few things went through my mind as I crouched on the ground that day, a lethal weapon aimed at my head.

1. That guns are scary. They’re not the cool little toys I played with when I was younger, but are very very scary, and that fear factor increases a hundred-fold when one is pointed at you

2. Fear cripples you. I had injured my ankle, but the reason I felt paralysed was because I feared for my life

And 3. You never know what sort of person you are, until you stare death in the face.

Well I looked death in the face, and in doing so, I realised what a coward I was

My mind should have been running wild with ideas about how to take the guy out, grab his weapon and save the day, But I couldn’t past the thought that I couldn’t move, and that even if I could pluck up the courage, that my legs would just give out on me

I wouldn’t be able to save the day, I wouldn’t even be able to save myself.

I always imagined that if someone had done anything to someone I cared about; I would put my own life at risk to return the favour. Yet, there I was. Someone I knew had been viciously attacked, the person responsible stood inches away and still I couldn’t pluck up the courage to speak, let alone get vengeance.

I was a mess, so ashamed of myself, clutching my ankle because that’s all I could think of to do.

I daren’t look back at my captor, I only kept my head facing forward as instructed, occasionally glancing at Cutter or Kal… when I wasn’t hanging my head down in shame that is.

Had this criminal attacked Frankie, what then? Would I have gotten up off my ass? Would I have as surrendered so readily? Or would I have done whatever was necessary?

These thoughts and more went through my head.

I just prayed that the bullet wouldn’t soon join them.

*****

“Everyone’s got something to lose”, the creep stated

Cutter glanced up at the young man, whose words sounded eerily familiar.

I could hear the wild card move on from me, and head towards Cutter, his gun now trained on his new target. “Ain’t that rig