Stuck With The Mafia

The sun, a relentless intruder, stabbed through the curtains, dragging Ellie from sleep. Birds sang, a deceptive chorus to the chaos her day would soon become. She groaned, swatting at the offending light, before dragging herself out of bed and into the bathroom for a shower.

Cleaned and dressed in her cafe uniform, she headed to the kitchen, the scent of breakfast pulling her forward. Rachel, her best friend and honorary sister, was already there.

"Something smells good," Ellie commented, hoping for bacon.

Rachel, however, took it as a compliment to herself. "Thanks, I got a new perfume," she said, dramatically sniffing her shirt.

"Not you, you idiot," Ellie retorted, a smile playing on her lips. "I was talking about the food!"

Rachel crossed her arms, a mock glare on her face. "Well, in that case, you're not getting any."

Their playful banter continued, a familiar comfort, until it was time to leave for work. Rachel had plans to stay at her boyfriend Josh's place, leaving Ellie to head out alone. As Ellie took the stairs, a shortcut she often used, a sudden shove from behind sent her tumbling. She landed awkwardly, her head spinning.

"Sorry," a male voice mumbled, and a hand extended to help her up. He was gone as quickly as he appeared, rushing off before Ellie could properly thank him.

"Wait, you dropped something!" she called out, but he was already out of earshot. Curiosity overriding caution, she walked back up the few stairs, her eyes widening in disbelief at what lay there. It was a gun. A very real, very dangerous gun.