Chapter 279 - 279. Peaceful?

The boys were consumed by their dig for good cellphone parts and the girls were in the middle of trying on different bathing suits and swimwear. Things were moving along smoothly. Cara was thinking about what she would do for gear and how it would be modified. Laura and Sammy were trying to convince Jane that she should wear something a little more open to attract more attention from Asher. 

Louis was surprisingly in control of his lightning since he had realized it was based on his muscle control. He could make sure even more that he wouldn't fry any electronics. Art and Asher were fighting over a set of blue parts that were the same as another pack but they were blue. Of course, Jackson was attempting to mediate but was not doing as well as he hoped because his personality had not grown in to the intimidating bulk of his body yet. 

Everything was going well since they had jogged over. The group had plenty of time to explore before they would jog back to Ashers' house for a group study dinner. It was their plan all along. Unfortunately, the man walking in the hall accompanied by his five compatriots were not planning to allow anyone to move on with their normal day. 

The burst of gunfire and a small explosion shook the mall causing every single patron to freeze or begin running. The sound of the mall speaker drowned out anyone that was trying to shout or question what was going on. "Hello sheep, this is your new king speaking. My associates will be visiting every single store to collect your taxes today. Stay where you are and you won't get a bullet or a fireball to the face. Signing off, king Boom." 

"That was a prank...right?" Jackson's nervous voice broke the silence. The cellphone store attendant immediately ran to the back of the store to find that the security locks on the back doors had all be forcefully activated. 

"They have us locked in. They must be in the security office!" The panic in the attendants' voice was clear as the blue sky. 

"So not a joke. What do you guys think we should do?" Louis was looking at Asher and soon everyone was. They trusted his judgment. 

"We are just high school students. There isn't a what should we do. It's a, sit and wait in safety thing. Just wait." Asher knew that they wanted to do something to help but there was nothing they could do. If they acted out and got hurt or got others hurt it would be in them for the rest of their lives. 

"I didn't think this would happen. I know crime happens but I haven't ever thought that it would happen to me." Art wasn't sure if he was afraid or if he was excited. It was a strange mix of adrenaline at the moment. 

"Well, technically I was mugged, not that I knew. But that's not the point. There are a bunch of people all afraid around us. We shouldn't do anything dangerous, but we can help everyone remain calm and safe." Asher had made a decision. Sitting safe was the plan. Yet, that did not mean they couldn't help others do the same. 

"Art, you stand by the door and get anyone that comes by the hall inside so they can sit against the wall with us. If someone comes by no one is allowed to move they are after money and we have nothing to stop them from it."

"Louis, Chack with the attendant. See if the back door entrance can be zapped and may be unlocked. If it doesn't work then no big deal. If it does then calmly walk back here and whisper to me. Make sure to keep the attendant calm. I think they are hyperventilating." 

"Jackson, You are intimidating and will make people feel safe. Use that bulky body and walk around assuring people that if they stay calm and in one place they will be safer than if they run around trying doors." Asher saw one such person bolt out of the cellphone store and in to the hallway already. It was a dangerous attempt right now since they didn't know who, how many, or what the super powers were of the robbers. 

Asher watched as his friends moved in to action. He on the other hand pulled out his cellphone and sent a message to the group explaining their actions. He only had hope that the girls were taking things as calmly. 

"Jane. If any of them walks in you get them frozen in place. I don't want them taking a step toward anyone." Cara had taken charge and was dealing with the large group of people who rushed to hide within the summer wear store. They had all had the idea to hide in dressing rooms and between clothing racks. 

"Laura, you're fast. So check everyone and make sure there are not injured. If someone is yell for me since I have the most first aid training." Cara knew that they might have some trouble with so many people rushing in. Panic could cause anyone to sprain an ankle or fall and hit their head. 

"Sammy, text the boys. I want to know where they are. I need to see what I can do with the store staff since they are flustered." Cara moved to the counter while Sammy was right behind her. "What are your protocols for this? If you dn['t have anything can you let us take the lead? My friends and I have some training that could be useful. We will not be escalating any situations." 

Cara had already been through some emergency training classes. She knew that the other girls and the boys had also learned some things but mostly focused on disaster training s and close combat. They had yet to delve in to the world of rescuing and managing people completely. She needed to act as a leader for them to keep things smooth and safe. 

"I don't know, this is our first day and the manager went on lunch and we are just trying to make sure that the money is in the safe but it's locked." The woman at the counter was struggling to get a breath and Cara placed a hand on her shoulder. 

"Just stop and sit down in the far aisle. We will take things from here. If you need to do something make sure that the people in the dressing rooms are breathing slowly and sitting in one spot. No one needs to be loud or panicking. People are already in their way to help us. Heroes and law enforcement should be here at any time." Caras' calm voice was an unmoving stone in a rough sea. The attendant calmed down in a blink of an eye after hearing Cara's words. 

"Cara, Asher said they are in the cellphone store and they are working on trying to open the back door with Louis's lightning. But He also said they are calming some people and getting them to sit on the side walls away from the register to sit and wait it put." Sammy was glad to see that things were going smoothly. 

"Good, if they get the door open they can use the back hallways to come and open ours. If not then we will sit and wait it out too. It is the smart move." Cara wanted to just keep this plan the same. Bur that was not how it was going to go for them. 

"Alright sheep! My king said I need to come on over here with my partner and collect taxes! If you don't pitch money or jewelry in then you can pay us in other ways!" The store doors were kicked open and a man with thick grey skin and tusks led the way for another with weird round hands. The fingers were long and thin like the barrels of a gun. 

"Text Asher that they need to stay away from the swim wear store, now." Cara managed to say this as the two stomped up to the counter where Cara was. 

"Little girlie, are you the one with our taxes." The man with the gun like hands smirked at her and reach over to the register to find the bills from the days' sales. "Good good, now empty those pockets." Cara was frozen. She didn't want to escalate the situation and knew that Sammy was hiding behind her texting Asher. However, Cara didn't have any money and knew exactly what these two could do to her. 

Asher was fairly confident since they had pulled seven more people from the hallway. They had been running but seeing Jackson and Art they rushed in to sit and hide with those already in the store. His face became unreadable as he saw that Sammy had replied to him. His blood ran cold and he realized just how much he cared for his friends and most of all his sister in this new world with better memories. There was only one thought that was echoing in his head. Save them.