For a second it was quiet, everything as still as calmed waters. Fear gripped the air like a snake constricting its prey.

The cash register beeped and clanged open as the pimple-faced teenage girl trembled and backed away, terrified of the masked man pointing the gun at her chest.

“Get your ass back over her and empty the cash register!” Yelled the masked man. He was fidgety and kept looking ba...