The first thing that Cole thought of that morning was his day spent in Phillipson, he'd read a book years ago which was all about a theory, that there were multiple lifestreams all at once, and in one of them if you met someone you wouldn't exactly remember them, but a faint memory of them would still live on in your mind, it was all absolutely crazy of course but it would explain why he felt like this wasn't the first time he and this girl had met.

But today there were more pressing matters to worry about, Chase was leaving with his now girlfriend Tara, who was about as dull to speak to as it was watching paint dry, honestly there was no accounting for his twin's taste.

He didn't feel so bitter about the camping trip now, he guessed it wouldn't be to fun.

And he had other things to worry about, namely the robbery they were trying to pull off at Grayson's superstore tomorrow and he was actually scared for once, he wasn't used to the panicked feeling that had appeared in his chest and he didn't like it, not one bit.

Perhaps it was Mark, the twenty-one year old always made him feel uneasy, technically they were friends, 'buddies' but he wasn't sure that Mark was the type of person he wanted to be friends with, he was rough and had been inside a young offenders institute, he wasn't like the rest of them, doing crazy things for the thrill, he seemed to enjoy inflicting pain on others.

But he couldn't back out now not now he had told Marley, Jason and Pete that he would be there, his job was the same as it always was, to get the 'goods' he was stealthy, could run fast and looked young for his age, the group reasoned that no one would suspect him.

Mike would do the 'distracting' though he didn't know what that would entail, Marley was the planner, she would stay in the car, and Jason was essentially their getaway driver.

He was distracted from his frantic thinking by a commotion downstairs, the great Chase was leaving of course, though he was still mad at him something dragged him out of the bed and to the front door where his Mother was embracing his brother like she'd never see him again.

Cole held back an eye-roll, he would be nice just this one time.

Even their Father had managed an awkward shoulder pat.

Cole reached forwards to shake Chase's hand, but was pulled into a hug, he stayed there for five seconds just forgetting the whole messy Charlie ordeal before pulling away.

"Have a nice trip" he managed, Chase gave him a wide, genuine smile.

And suddenly he didn't want him to go, he wanted Chase to stay here and annoy the hell out of him with some stupid thing he was doing, he wanted the boring lectures, the condescending tone and the unwanted parenting.

Chase was right, they had been close once, and they lived under the same roof with the same deranged parents... things would be strange without his duplicate wandering around the place, though he despised him sometimes, Chase's presence was reassuring like nothing too bad could happen as long as he watched over them.

But Cole didn't say any of this, instead he gave a shrug and half-smile and watched his brother pick up his bag and leave the house with a note of finality.

Something felt wrong, so very wrong, there was a kind of thick silence hanging over them, like there was an imminent danger in the room, he had wished now that he had never said yes to Mike's ludicrous plan, they were all going to get caught, what would happen to his parents if he was arrested with no Chase to calm them down?

"Well Cole what are your plans for today?" his Mother spoke up, like he made plans each day and actually followed them.

"Um.. nothing much I was going to go meet some friends tomorrow though"

She nodded, like this was a good plan, like her son was a wholesome child who met up with his friends for an occasional game of Scrabble.

Tomorrow came far too quickly for Cole's liking, one second he had been dreading the day, the next it was the day.

He met them at the corner, all of the looking calm and collected as usual, he stuck out as a sweaty mess.

"Alright Cole?" asked Marley registering his less than happy expression, he nodded not trusting himself to speak, if he spoke he might have thrown up.

They pulled up at Grayson's and Mike began handing out balaclavas, this too was too weird, they never usually needed face coverings, it was an inside, outside kind of job, they never stole enough to seriously damage a business, they were never violent.

Apparently Mike had other plans.

He looked at Marley, she raised one eyebrow, a challenge, she was always one for proving herself, she never wanted to look weak or defenceless, she was the most daring person he knew.

He couldn't be the coward, not in front of all of his friends, once you were a coward you were marked out as a coward, he imagined how lonely actually being lonely would be, and pulled on the face covering.

They entered as a group and he knew how wrong this was all going to be from the second that he saw the glint of metal.

He began to hyperventilate.. Mike had a gun and he was pointing it at the shocked attendants face, the man immediately put his hands above his head, looking petrified, Cole wanted it to stop, this was havoc, they didn't threaten violence! They didn't propose killing people for the sake of money.

"Cole" Mike's voice was deadly cold "Go grab the stuff"

He wasn't about to argue with a guy with a gun in his hand.

He walked over slowly towards the glass cabinet and began putting the jewellery into his bag, gold necklaces, diamond rings and glinting sapphires, he felt like if he allowed himself to fully comprehend the fact that they were now associates to armed criminals he would probably faint or at the very least scream aloud.

"You all done?" Mike was still pointing the gun at the trembling attendant.

He couldn't call out, he just nodded.

They all regrouped, his heart was beating out of his chest, at least it was over, the horrifying experience was over, they could leave this all behind and he would get as far away from these people as possible.

But then Mike did something so unnecessary, so vile that his plans were scuppered, he lifted a clenched fist to the mans temple and punched him hard, the man crumpled to the floor, Cole could already see blood dripping onto the white tiles.

"Mike!" Marley called out sounding frightened.

"Mate... you shouldn't have done that" Jason said hesitantly, his eyes darting around the room.

"Listen, the quicker we get out of here the less chance there is of the cops getting us, so Cole hand me that bag, zip your mouths the lot of you"

Cole handed him the bag, he knew a battle not worth fighting when he saw one, they all turned to leave but he kneeled in front of the man, checking his vital signs, he wasn't about to leave him unconscious and alone, that punch could have done more than it was intended to.

"Cole!" called out Marley.

"Leave him" he heard Mike's gruff voice "And next time don't bring me children to baby-sit"

As soon as they were out of sight Cole called the emergency services, telling them there had been a robbery and a man was bleeding and unconscious.

And then he cried until the ambulance and police cars arrived, as he admitted what his part had been and as they arrested him and bundled him into a car.

He thought he smelt the faint whiff of smoke in the air, but he couldn't be sure.