A Split Second Choice

Summary

A university student walking home from supplementary classes is confronted by armed robbers, refuses to hand over a cherished phone, and ends up disarming and shooting the assailants before escaping without being identified.

Abstract

The narrative describes a young individual's harrowing experience while walking 12 miles from the university to their dormitory. Forced to travel on foot due to a lack of transportation, the student encounters two armed men demanding valuables. Despite the threat of violence, the student courageously refuses to surrender a treasured cellphone, a gift from their mother, and manages to overpower one of the robbers, shooting him in self-defense. The altercation results in both robbers being injured, and the student flees the scene, blending back into normal life as the incident becomes news. The story concludes with the student reflecting on the incident and the potential deadly outcome that was narrowly avoided.

Opinions

The protagonist places immense sentimental value on the cellphone, viewing it as a significant token of their mother's hard work and love.
The protagonist displays a remarkable level of courage and quick thinking in the face of danger, refusing to be intimidated by the armed robbers.
There is a sense of justice served as the robbers, who were prepared to kill for money, are overpowered by their intended victim.
The protagonist's actions suggest a belief in self-defense and the protection of personal possessions, especially those with emotional significance.
The narrative implies a critique of societal violence and the need for individuals to be prepared to defend themselves when law enforcement is not immediately available.
The protagonist's reflection on the incident reveals a mix of relief and contemplation about the fine line between life and death during the confrontation.

A Split Second Choice

I was walking back home one evening, from the university. I had to attend supplementary classes on college calculus, as I was lagging behind the class. So it was on foot, as I couldn’t find a conveyance to come home. My dorm was 12 miles away from my university campus, It would take one person 45 minutes of walking to reach there. Thus, I decided it will be a good adventure for walking.

I traveled halfway, and two armed men stopped by. One was holding a gun, it was perhaps the first time I was experiencing a situation like this. One of them asked me to give everything I have to them. I honestly didn’t have anything at the time, I had forgotten my wallet back home. I only had my cellphone. They demanded to give them my cellphone but I refused.

They told me that they will shoot, I told them I can’t give this phone as it was a present from my mother, who worked really hard to get this for me. I won’t even give it up, even if you forced a bullet down my throat. I knew that there was no running, and I wasn’t going to give up my phone just because the man showed a gun to my face.

I asked him, that I can’t. He pointed the gun to my face, and said, “I will shoot you.” I said, “go right ahead, you’d be doing me a favor.” He stayed there and tried to snatch my phone and I pushed him when he lowered his guard taking the pistol from his hand. He was startled and raised his hands towards me, saying “Woah, wait.”

I told him, that “Give me my phone back or I will shoot.” I shot one round, towards his ear. I hadn’t used a gun, in more than a decade, the last time being when I was in my senior year of high school. I told him, to give my phone back and I will let you leave. He gave me my phone, begged me for mercy. I told him screaming you were running around with live arms aiming to kill for money, do you really think I would listen to anything you have to say.

He tried to get the situation in his hands by rushing towards me, in that instant. I shot him in the arm, and the one on the motorcycle tried to getaway. I shot towards his way as well. One bullet went through his leg, and he fell from the bike. People came around and I told them what was happening. They quickly circled the robbers and beat some sense into them.

Someone called the police, and before that could happen. I flashed from the scene. I ran as hard as I could — throwing the gun away in a canal with all my wit. When I reached home, I asked if anyone was there. I took a shower and went to sleep. The next day, the news read two armed robbers were brutally injured while robbing a civilian who fled after fighting the assailants. Sources say.

I read other news as well, about the mysterious person who fought the robbers. Newspapers tried to write a pictorial about it, afterward. Things normalized after a few days. I passed by the same place in a week or two again in my car and stopped near a store. I walked outside and even went to the point, where the crime took place. No one suspected a thing, that it was me.

Then I went and enjoyed a chilled choke from the store, while I sat on my car contemplating what could have happened if my bluff hadn’t worked.

Bang, I would be dead, as I take a sip of chilly coca-cola.

Thank you for reading.

Fiction | Crime | Life

A Split Second Choice