[ WP ] You are walking with a co-worker on a busy city street and stop to bend down to re-tie your shoe while your co-worker walks on . You stand up only to someone assassinate your co-worker with a silenced pistol ; then calls someone saying , `` I thought you said there would be two . ''

Another day at the office. We were getting closer, much closer, but there were still many issues to fix. As Leo and I walked side by side toward the bus stop, I felt a slight tap hit my right foot with each step. *Of course*, I thought, as I looked down and saw my loose shoe lace bouncing to and fro. I stopped and knelt down to remedy the situation, as my good friend and co-worker continued. After knotting my lace, I stood to my feet. I was about to catch up to Leo when suddenly I saw a silenced pistol jab into my friend's side. Without delay, he dropped to the floor as blood began seeping out onto the sidewalk. Somehow - through the commotion - I heard the man closest to Leo speak. 
 
 `` I thought you said there would be two.'' 
 
 At that moment, I realized I was the second he was speaking about. I knew I could not immediately run - as that would draw attention to myself - so I turned casually and walked into a nearby shop. I found myself in a fashion clothing store. I grabbed the first pair of pants I could find and hurried to the change rooms. Remembering to not arouse suspicion, I waited anxiously for an attendant to help me to a room. I looked back over my shoulder to see if the two men had been following me, but there was no sign of them. Sweat began to absorb into the pair of pants I was holding. Suddenly a voice spoke to me. 
 
 `` Just the pants sir?'' 
 
 I nearly jumped out of my skin. 
 
 `` Um... yes, thank you.'' 
 
 The lady smirked as she walked through the hall and unlocked one of the change room doors. 
 
 `` It's all yours.'' 
 
 Before entering, I quickly looked over my shoulder and saw, at the doors of the store, the man and his partner. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. I hurried inside, locking the door. I breathed heavily as I knelt down and put my head to the floor. Peering under the door, I could occasionally make out what looked like the shoes of one of the men, but it was hard to know for sure. I stood back up and pressed up against the back wall of the tiny change room. Thoughts raced through my mind as I processed all that had happened. Surely these men were after us because of the work we had been doing. Somehow someone found out. I peeked under the door again and was certain I saw the shoes of the man. Their words were distant, but I could make out some of it. 
 
 `` I told you we should've split up, he did n't come in here.'' 
 
 *Phew*, I thought. I got back up and stood silently in the change room. I looked at my watch and decided to wait at least ten minutes before leaving, despite what I had heard them say. The hands of the clock ticked slowly. My thoughts continually went back to my work. I chose this over a typical corporate software development position so I could feel proud of my work, to do something that could change society for the better. Our artificial intelligence was nearing its completion, and soon we would be able to empower someone as ordinary as an average citizen with the tools and data necessary to prevent premeditated crimes. 
 
 I glanced at my watch again - seven minutes had passed. I was not sure what to do, where to go, or who to speak to. Leo was not only my co-worker and friend, but he was my partner. Just the two of us, together, working tirelessly for years. 
 
 Perhaps if we had finished our work earlier, we could have seen this coming. Leo could still have been alive.
