Fugitive

Chapter 5: "And your name is?"

It's right around 12am at the "Anderson Stop & Go" on an early Tuesday morning. Nicole is working at the convenience store for a short period time by herself while her father went home to check on Nicole's mom who is down with the flu right now. Her dad said he will probably be gone for about fifteen minutes and he will then be back. He knew Nicole had her gun behind the counter and she sure the hell knew how to shoot it too.
A few moments go by when a dark shadow appears to be approaching the glass door. The shadow gently pulls on the door and Nicole slightly steps back looking to see who it was.
In walks a man around six foot tall, has a scruffy jet black beard, a tattoo of a skull on the right side of his neck, and was wearing a pair of tattered black leather gloves. He approaches Nicole at the counter and his clear complexion hits the fluorescent light. She can now read his face. The man was quite handsome. He had these bright blue green eyes that kind of looked very sleepy, he had shiny jet black hair that looked like cotton when he removed his blue baseball cap. The man says in a low voice with a hit of a twang. "I'll take a pack of cigarettes my dear." Nicole is just stunned by the man's appearance and studies his face before answering. "Um yes sir!" She reaches for the pack of cigarettes.
"That will be $7.50 after tax." She says with a red face.
The man smirks and hands her a $10 bill.
"Keep the change sweetie." He smiles and winks.
Before the man exits the store Nicole then asks ,"So are you new to the area? What's your name? I've never seen you here in Pineville before." She questions.
The man chuckles, "Yes ma'am I am new to this area.  My name is Joseph Jennings, but back in my ole town they called me JJ." His sleepy eyes study Nicole's frail body.
"Oh well, nice to meet you JJ." She says sweetly. "My name is Nicole Anderson and this is my family's store."
"Right on, well what's a pretty girl like you working here so late?" He smirks with half of his beard just completely out of place. He then smoothes it with his cut up hand.
Nicole drops her head to the impeccable floor and smiles. "Hahah, well my dad is technically working. He just went home to check on my mom. She has the flu right now."
"So your here by yourself?" He smirks again.
Nicole takes a moment and replies, "Well yeah but he should be back any minute."
"Well Nicole, thank you for taking the time to talk with me. You made me feel welcomed here. Maybe you can show me around sometime." He smiles putting his hand on the countertop.
Nicole looks at him with innocent eyes and quickly answers, "I would love to." She then grabs a baby blue sticky note and a black gel pen. "Here is my cell." She writes her number down. "Text me anytime or if you need anything." She hands it over with a bright smile on her face. "Will do Nicole, I can't wait." He snatches the sticky note, but does it ever so gently. I mean keep in mind she's communicating with a man who just committed a detrimental crime.