The loud bang was deafening. The gun shot made Laura bury her head in her hands, so she wouldn’t see the mess around. The bank was almost in ruins. Paper, files and people were scattered everywhere. She could hear a woman crying, though she didn’t dare see who it was. She peeked through her trembling fingers. The bullet created a perfect hole on the left wall. The masked man shot it to intimidate the witnesses.

“As if people weren’t intimidated enough” thought Laura in disgust.

The man was now standing in front of her, tall and dressed all in black. He was alone. The clerk of the left cashier was in front of him, explaining desperately that he had no access to the bank vault. His cries meant nothing to the gun holder. The black-dressed man in the black faceless plastic mask held the gun at his aim.

   This morning was so beautiful. Laura drove downtown this morning. She went to see her 11-year-old son, who lived now with his father, Thomas. After the courts decision for the custody of the child to be given to the father, Laura could only see her son once every month. Cruel decision for a loving mother. Her baby, Ron, was playing soccer on the front lawn of his dad’s house. She stood there for a moment watching him as he kicked the ball in beautiful moves, his golden hair shining in the sun. The same colour as hers. She called him. They went where they always went, for a walk on the beach front. The day was sunny and warm, so the walk was very pleasant. She asked him about his life, how things were at school, whether he had a girlfriend. They sat at the small cafeteria that Laura liked so much, and had a sandwich. It was the most delicious sandwich Laura had in a month. And all because she could see her sons green eyes in front of her, his beautiful face.

“The courts decision. Unfair.” The thought wondered in her head as she watched her son chewing his chicken sandwich. Then it was time she left- two hours before the normal time she took Ron home. She had to go to the bank today.

“Do you have to leave?” the boy asked his mother and gave her an angry look.