Chapter Six: Act Cool:

Phil had the skills to survive. He and Sayuri needed some supplies to survive their time on the lam. At seven in the morning, the truck pulled up to a gas station/convenient store. He shook his accomplice on the shoulder.

Sayuri! Wake up! We’ve stopped!

His female accomplice lifted her head. Hm? Where are we?

I think we stopped at like a gas station or something.

Did we?

I guess. Phil walked over to the doors and pried them open. Sayuri’s jaw hit the floor.

How did you do that?

I don’t know. It’s just something I had been born with. Now, come on. He took hold of her hand and led her down the road.

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Where exactly are we going?

“We need to get some things if we’re going on the lam.”

Like what?

“Clothes, food, money, a map.”

How are we going to get all of those?

“I will find a way.” First, they needed to get out of their prisoner scrubs. Even without the shackles and cuffs, they still stood out. Luckily for him, Phil had the insight to get off the truck when he did. Their faces probably weren’t on the news yet, but how long would that last? They didn’t even need to do something elaborate. Maybe just a dress, jeans, shirt, shades, and a hat. They needed to find a store for all of that first.

What’s that up there?

“What?” Phil shaded his eyes for a better look in the distance. A building that looked a trailer or a small store stood on the side of the rod. “What is that?” Phil blinked and rubbed his eyes. When the store was still there, he turned his attention to Sayuri.

“Is that what I think it is?” he asked. Sayuri shrugged, shaking her head. Phil squeezed her hand as they ran further down the road. To their delight, the building in question turned out to be a store. However, with its faded paint, merchandise scattered in the dead grass, and cracked glass, the second-hand store looked rather abandoned. Sayuri tilted her head.

It looks empty.

Phil on the other hand saw this as a good opportunity. “This will be perfect.”

What?

“Stand back I’m going to do something here.” Phil took a breath and drew back his arm. With one punch, he broke the glass in the door. Sayuri covered her mouth, wide-eyed.

Oh my!

Phil stood back, grinning. “Surprised? I had years of practice with that skill.”

Are you sure this is okay?

“We don’t have any choice right now. So, yeah.” Phil reached through the hole and unlocked the door from inside. He let Sayuri walk inside before following behind. Inside had a sea of old clothes, toys, furniture, and antiques. Sayuri looked around, gasping. Phil whistled.

“This stuff would make enough to feed my friends for years,” he said. The convict happened to look up and notice the disappointed look on Sayuri’s face.

“What?” he asked.

Stealing is wrong.

“Hey, we did what we had to do to survive and take care of the kids.”

It’s still wrong.

“Yeah, yeah. Just pick out a dress or something.”

Just to let you know, I don’t agree with doing this. Stealing is wrong.

“Hurry it up, will you? Just pick something you like and get dressed.”

Fine. Sayuri looked around the store until she picked out a dress from the display window and disappeared in the back. Meanwhile, Phil spotted an old wooden trunk near an equally old piano. He opened it and looked inside. It felt like looking back into the 60’s and 70’s. These clothes weren’t his taste, but what could he do? Phil shrugged his shoulders.

“Heh, this will do for now,” he said. The convict reached inside and pulled out a long-sleeve t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

Thirty minutes later, Phil looked down the back. “You ready yet?”

Just a minute.

Phil tucked his tag back into his shirt and began pacing around the store. He looked up when he heard footsteps.

I’m ready. Sayuri had on a long white dress to her ankles, a red flower in her hair, and black-beaded jewelry. Phil smiled and nodded. His accomplice broke into blushing.

What do you think?

“You look nice.”

You mean it?

“Yeah.”

Sayuri didn’t know what to think. Wow… thanks. You look nice yourself. Phil looked down at his Led Zeppelin shirt and black jeans.

“Shut up.”

I mean it.

Phil cleared his throat. “Anyway, let’s get going. We still have other things to get.”

Right. She followed him out of the store.