"Creeping Death" A Kirk Hammett story

«Five finger discount»

Saturday, 25th September, 1983

It had now been a week since my encounter with Kirk at the Comic Book store and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to see him again tonight at the bar.

I mean? Hanging out with a funny, cute guy listening to amazing music, yes I'm pumped.

I woke up late and decided to just call into work sick
I picked up the phone dialling the number.
The line rang a couple times before Kim picked up the phone,

"Kim's comics, Kim speaking, how may I help you?" He sounded un-genuine
"Hey Kim it's-"
I cut myself off with a fake cough and sniffle.
"It's Nora, I can't come in today, caught the flu or something." I sealed the deal my pretending to blow my nose which just ended up making my ear pop from pressure.

———————

Walking around downtown I decided to check out the new mall that just opened up, making my way through the massive front entrance and sighing in content at the look of the place, my eyes lit up and I felt like a little girl on her birthday. I was never rich, grew up poor. I'd only ever stepped foot in a big mall like this twice and although I didn't have the money to spend, I definitely had the hands to take.

I skipped around happily until I found a cool looking store, they had a bunch of band tees in the window the interior was painted black and wracks lined the walls filled with leather and denim.

Seemed like my kinda place.

I flicked through some of the women's clothing, nothing really captured my attention until I saw it, a long, sparkling, black kimono. It was like a punk bred with a hippie to create this monstrous masterpiece. I stared at it wide-eyed pulling the cash from my last paycheque from my bag...$80 I still needed money for this months rent which is overdue, groceries, the phone, electricity and water bill...so that leaves me with what? $8? Fuck.

I walked over to the mannequin which looked better than me as I peered down at my old, ratty Ramones shirt and denim flares. I need this...I took the price tag and braced myself as I flipped it over...$25.

I grew up on the poor side of town, I know my way around a five finger discount, I gathered some random clothes and snatched the kimono straight off of the mannequin's torso leaving her bare. Folding it neatly and covering it with the denim jacket, white tank top and black jeans that I had chosen at random, smiling and walking over to the cashier.

"Hiya, where abouts are the change rooms?" I asked politely trying not to give myself away.

"How many items are you trying on...?" The slim, tall teenage girl looked at me, with a nasty expression plastered on her stupidly narrow face.

"Uh just the three!" I tried to hold myself back from pulling her hair.

"K...change rooms are in the far corner." She rolled her eyes going back to whatever she was doing, I didn't care I had a kick ass outfit to steal!

Walking over to one of the three fitting rooms and pulling the curtain shut behind me I unfolded everything, shoving the gorgeous kimono into my satchel, I poked my head out from the curtain to see if the blonde at the counter was distracted before trying to exit the store. I thought I had gotten away with it too until I felt someone tap me on the shoulder.

"So how'd the clothes fit?" She crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side supporting a smug look on her dumb face.

"Oh my god! Is that Harrison ford!" I yelled pointing behind her.

She looked startled and whipped her head around to look behind her and I made a run for it.

Booked it straight out the front, past security and up the escalator to the second floor. I looked down just as she skidded round the corner and came running straight for the escalator

"Shit" She looked like she ran track and me? Never played a sport in my life.

I ran around trying to get through crowds of people gathering a handful of disgusted looks and stares from fellow shoppers.

"Oops"
"Sorry!"
"Pardon me"

I excused myself after running into multiple old women and young men, shoving them out of my way, after running in circles I thought I had finally lost her so I ran back round to the escalators and over to the exit, I could see her talking to mall security guards out of my peripheral just as she looked up, pointed at me and shrieked.

"That's her! Stop that thief!" I pushed through a group of teen boys who grunted turning
"Watch it bitch!" One of them yelled. I ignored him but shot a look and flipped the finger at one of his friends when he shouted over at me "nice ass!"

Dickweeds.

I had lost the guards and the girl as I exited the building and hid behind a tree on the edge of the parking lot to catch my breath...holy shit.

I chuckled to myself under my breath
"What a rookie."

I pulled open my bag and looked down at her in all her glory...i was definitely gonna wear this bad girl tonight

I was siked.

(Word count: 913)