You put your hands up hurriedly, trembling.
Okay! Okay! I can explain, I swear!
Internally, you panic, wracking your brain for any way to get out of this.
An idea occurs to you, and you speak up, stumbling over your words.
U-umm… I have asthma.. please, just let me get my inhaler from my pocket… I’ll choke if I don’t.. please… I’m not armed..
He pauses, taken aback, but after examining your face relents.
<‘ine.
Okay, thank you, thank you…
You slowly, nervously reach down to your pocket and grasp the crystal ball’s nozzle.
Then, in a flash, you pull it into your mouth.
In that split second, his eyes widen in shocked recognition.
<‘AT’S ‘OT-
The world freezes, bathed in the familiar blue sheen.
