As he left his home, the chill breeze of the night slapped his face. It was nights like this he loved to take walks. Under the moon light, hands in his coat as he walked, enjoying the scenery, but here he was, with a T-shirt and trousers, rushing to get a gift from a store for his girlfriend.

He could not take a taxi because it would reduce the money he had left, so he was walking. Memories of happy moments with Caroline flashed through his head as he walked. She was so sweet and perfect.

Now, he could barely recognize her. Her once sweet words that were like medicine to his soul were now thorns and daggers ripping through what was left of his heart.

Laura’s store revealed itself as Ajax turned a corner. It's light were still on and the sign still read open. His lips curved upwards in a smile.

He was glad the store was still open. He had walked past few stores. All had closed because it was getting late.

He quickened his steps and hurried to the store. He pushed the door open as the bells rang above his head.

He walked in as his eyes swept round the store. Laura's store was a nice place. Not too big, not small either. One could find whatever one was looking for at the store.

He had no idea what he could get for his girl. He took out the last cash in his wallet and counted it.

20 bucks.

What could be possibly get her with that meagre amount.

He walked to the lady at the counter.

Her name tag read ‘Laura’. Wait what? This young lady owned this place?

“Hi, how may I help you?” she greeted.

“Oh, good evening Laura” he greeted too with a smile. “Umm, what could I get for someone as a birthday present with 20 bucks?”

He looked down in embarrassment as he fiddled with his bracelet. He looked around the shop, as his eyes seemed to suddenly find them interesting.

“Guy or girl?” she asked.

“A girl”

“wow” she breathed, chuckling. “the money is too small” she paused but continued as she saw the fall in his expression. “but, I can get you something”

His face lit up. Finally something good about today. He followed behind her as they walked round the shop.

She gave a girl, prolly another staff, a signal to take her place at the counter. The girl sauntered off.

He observed how Laura would occasionally throw glances at him over her shoulder and smile. He would smile back awkwardly. Was she smiling at him? He was forced to look behind him to be sure. There was no one behind him.

They stopped at an aisle with gift cards, flowers and other presents.

“Here, make your choice, the price tags would tell you the ones your money can buy.” She informed him with a smile.

He nodded at her as she stood by and watched him browse through the items. He picked up a bouquet of flowers that read five dollars.

He picked it up as his eyes widened in surprise. These were good flowers, how could it be sold at that?

He walked to her with the flowers. “These are five dollars?” he asked her, just to be sure.

She took them and observed. “wow, these products still remain, well, that's your luck then”

“What do you mean?” he asked confused.

“Oh, we had bonus sales, so, some items were slashed down few days ago, the rush and influx of costumers was much, so I thought the items were all sold out. Luckily for you, this one remains”

His smile grew wider. Finally, something good happening to him today. He picked some other few items. He asked her to wrap them. He had a box of glass cups that was ridiculously cheap, flowers, a glass of wine and a perfume. It was not her perfume, but he hoped she would take them.

She put all of them in a box and wrapped them. The wrapped present looked bigger than twenty bucks.

He took the wrapped box and the bouquet of flowers. Thanking her, he left the store. He checked his time. It was almost 10pm.

He had to hurry. He was about 30 minutes away from home.

He was just a few steps away from the store, carrying the box and flowers, which was getting heavy by the minute, when he got tackled to the floor.

“C'mon man, what the hel-“ he was saying when a punch in his jaw shut him up.

Two men stood in front of him. One held a baton while the other stood pointing a gun at him. The third man was the one who just punched him.

The sight of the gun sent shivers down his spine. These were armed robbers. He had to play nice or he'd be dead before sunrise.

The three of them dressed in black, with masks over their faces. It was dark and the only source of light was from the store which stood a little distance away.

He looked to the right and saw his roses scattered across the floor. The box too was lying on the ground, a part of the wrapper that Laura had used to wrap it was ripped.

One of the guys picked it up and tore it open. “Nothing much here, just cups and perfumes”

“search him” one of the men ordered. The other two came to him.

He had no valuable possession on him so he did not resist when they searched him. He was glad he dropped his phone at home. All he had was just the watch and bracelet on his wrist that he used to check time.

One held him on the ground while the other searched him. They fished out his wallet and searched it.

Emptying the contents in the floor, all they could find was his ID, passports, business cards, not a single credit card nor cash was in his wallet or on him.

“There’s nothing on him”

The third man glared at him. “Such a stupid worthless piece of shit!” he cursed as he kicked him. The others began to rain blows on him.

Bravo Universe! Just when he thought he was finally getting a good luck, as his day had been a series of bad luck, the stupid universe rips it away from him. She must have a great sense of dark humor watching him today.

As they rained blows and kicks on him, he grunted in pains. He could feel his flesh tearing, injuries forming, he could even taste his blood in his mouth. He curled up, a reflex action to shield himself.

He knew he had to fight back or they could as well kill him.

One of the guys took one of the glass cups and shattered it on his head.

Ok, that's it. Blinded with pain and adrenaline pumping through his veins, he pushed them off him.

SYSTEM ACTIVATED