Complete Mess

Chapter 11: Preparing

Complete Mess

Chapter 11

Preparing

It felt so strange to walk with both Ingo and Emmet side by side but Lake was between them. It wasn't too far from the thrift store. They needed outfits to survive the winter, and survive in disguise. Although it was still warm outside there was a soft cold wind that was blowing and its promise of colder weather was right around the corner. Lake's current wardrobe consisted of pants with holes in the knees, a thin shirt, and a tiny jacket that didn't really fit her anymore.

They walked upon an old dusty looking thrift shoppe, with the words 'Holly's Finds' in green neon lights. The n on finds wasn't even glowing so it just looked like 'fids' secretly Lake smiled at the joke.

Walking in the whole store seemed a bit dirty, yet clean, and the smell of laundered clothing filled the air. The room wasn't light either, and it was a rather long building.

"Little girls' stuff is that way. The mens things are over there." The worker called out as soon as they got into the shoppe.

Emmet looked down at her as she looked iffy. It wasn't the first time she had ever been to a thrift shop. Most of them had set prices on all items. But it would seem this one had price drops on certain tagged items.

"I see..." She said and walked toward the girls' things. She honestly figured neither would follow her. But when she turned she realized they weren't too far behind. Okay she was all for having parents, even Uncles...but this was a bit much. She turned and looked at them as one picked up a small jacket that was way too small for her.

They both stopped and looked at her pointing at them. Emmet just chuckled and pointed to the tiny jacket with a huge smile.

"It's so small..." Okay Lake had to smile at that. She had to admit the jacket was adorable. But it probably wouldn't cover her left arm. "And babies are this small?" He put it down gingerly as if he were afraid he'd snap the jacket in two if he touched it even a tiny bit.

"Any ideas as to what size you need?" Ingo asked as he picked up a sweatshirt that looked to be his own size and held it up to himself.

"Kind of." She picked up a pair of pants and held them up to herself and shook her head. "But I have grown a lot since the last time I was allowed to look for clothes. These are the ones I got from the school." She told them. Now that Ingo looked at them they looked like old school uniform clothing. Although the jacket was something else.

She picked up another pair of pants that looked to be bigger and she put them up to herself and nodded. "Those ones fit?" Emmet asked as he motioned to the fitting rooms. "You can try them on in there."

She was iffy about doing anything of the sort. Ingo leaned down and whispered to her.

"No one will go into that curtain. Emmet and I will stand watch." The small child walked into the curtained room and looked at the floor to ceiling mirror. The curtain closed behind her.

A few moments later the girl walked out of the fitting room. The pants seemed a bit long but that would give room to grow. At least to her anyway. Walking over and looking up at the rather tall twins.

It was at that point she saw the tiny shoe in Emmet's hands. The smile that seemed to wash over Lake's face.

"I can't wear that." Lake told them with a tiny giggle. Emmet smiled as he looked at the tiny slipper.

"I know, but it's still so adorable." The sudden realization popped into her head.

'Perhaps they'd like me better if I was younger?' The emotional change written on her face didn't go unnoticed by Ingo who looked curiously.

"Here, let's get you something thicker for your shirt." He motioned to the sweaters. He picked up his own choices. Emmet had run off to change into some thicker garments of his own. His coat over Ingos arm.

It took a second for the subway bosses to change into their clothing. They'd have to leave their jackets and hats behind in the car. At least they knew that the good Professor would take care of them.

"Are you here on your own?" Ingo's body snapped to attention as he spotted an employee talking to Lake. Lake had a jacket and a Hoodie in her hands.

"No." Lake bashfully told the woman. She tried to pull away from the woman. The woman pulled Lake back to her.

"You aren't planning on stealing those are you? I saw you go into the fitting room and come out with a new pair on. Do you think we wouldn't notice?" Lake was already a sobbing mess.

Ingo wasn't technically the physical type, actually he normally tells people off verbally before any sort of altercation. He was glad Emmet got it out first. Ingo, was seeing red.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Emmet picked up Lake and walked her toward the front of the store.

"I was just..."

"I know perfectly well what you were doing. You were being rude, touching a child that does not belong anywhere near you." Ingo growled walking along with his brother.

"Men have no business taking care of children anyways! That should be left up to her mother!" the woman called out.

"Shut it Debbi!" A woman yelled behind the desk in the front. "Damn her and her self righteous bullshit. I'd fire her now if it weren't for the fact that I need her." The woman counted the clothing and then noticed all the ones in the girl's hands were colored for half off that day. "You definitely have a bargain hunter on your hands." The woman giggled.

Ingo just threw a card up onto the counter. The woman behind the desk noticed it as a subway debit card. The woman swiped it and handed it back.

Ingo sighed as he walked back toward the car. They had on their new clothing, and their jackets and hats over their arms.

"Welp, from now on we travel...in civilian clothing." Emmet told them. Ingo didn't like the idea. Even when he was in the other dimension he wore his uniform. But back then he wasn't on the run. The more they stayed hidden the more they had the chance to keep Lake alive.

(0)

There was a soft ding from the computer. The mayor turned to look at his secretary.

"It looks like their debit card has been pinged from an old thrift store up north." The woman told him. The Mayor smiled as he sat back.

"Excellent. Send Steels and his gang up that way. They know those woods well." He blew the cigar smoke between his teeth. The air looked red and inky around him.