by Nikou

Created on: September 07, 2010

"Get on the ground, now!" The man shouted, waving his gun in the air.

Heart pounding, I lowered myself to the ground, watching the dozen or so other people in the bank do the same thing. Sirens outside explained the gunman's anxiety.

The day had started off like any other Friday, and I stopped at the bank to deposit my check. It was while waiting in line that it happened. The man in front of me, started getting louder and louder, and suddenly, he pulled out a gun.

"Give me my money! I want my money!" He screamed over and over.

"I'm sorry, sir. There's no money in your account." The cashier was deadly calm, the kind of calm that comes when you face death, but there's nothing you can do about it. "It was all withdrawn 3 days ago, by your wife."

That's when we heard the sirens. Someone had pressed the police alert, and the response was rapid.

"Get on the ground, now! Down, down, down!" He shouted it over and over.

Looking sideways, I could see the police cars outside the glass doors of the bank. That comforted me, because it meant they could see inside, and see us.

The phone began to ring, and then a bullhorn from outside started blaring. "Answer the telephone. There are negotiators on the line."

Eyes darting, the man approached the phone on the counter. Quickly, he grabbed it, never taking his eyes off the people on the floor.

We could only hear his side of the conversation, "What do you want?"

"I want my money! I ain't no robber, I just want what's mine!"

"She left me, she ain't my wife anymore. How can she take MY money, when she never earned any of it?"

Suddenly, he was speaking to us, "Any of you have medical problems? Stand up."

A woman stood up, and an elderly man used his cane to assist himself.

"Go over to the door, and go out real slow. If you try anything, I'll shoot you!"

Slowly, they made their way to the door, and opened it.

"Alright, I gave you some people, now you get me my money."

"There are 9 people in here, and you ain't getting anymore until I see some money." He hung up the phone.

Minutes passed, and I reviewed my life. I had tried to be a good wife and mother, putting my own career on the hold until my children entered school. Kate was 15, and Jake was 12 now, they needed a mother. I had put my heart and soul into their care, and couldn't bear the thought of leaving my work unfinished.

Phil was probably still at work, his job went until 5. The kids were probably home now, and wondering where I was. I usually reached home before they did,

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