I scrambled down the rickety fire escape outside the window with indecent haste, droping the last eight feet to thud lightly on the trash carpeted alley.  Still no alarms, no cries or bellows of outrage at my escape.  Breathing a sigh of relief, I slipped the pistol back into my jacket, and made my way back to the car.<br/><br/>Once I was inside, I collapsed against the wheel with a shuddering sigh, my mouth working slightly and my whole body trembling as the panic I hadn't let myself feel in that horrible room surfaced with full and unrelenting force.<br/><br/><em>You stupid, stupid</em>STUPID<em>girl! - </em>I almost screamed at myself, pounding a closed fist against the dash<em> - You could have gotten yourself KILLED!  And for what?  So some crazy shop owner could spend a few nights in peace until some other stupid banger decided to kill him?  You're not going to save the world, Traci.</em>- the voice whispered in her ear<em>- Just give up.  Find some other line of work, girl.</em><br/><br/>I grit my teeth as I tell the small corner of my mind, very politely mind you, to go jump off a bridge.  Feeling, if not good, at least much better as the voice falls silent, I start the car and set off for home.<br/><br/><em>I need a </em>really<em>long shower after this one.  Hell, maybe even a drink.</em>