Fugitive

Chapter 7: "A little Skeptical Yet In Love."

A few days go by and there hasn't been a sign of JJ. Nicole is standing behind the counter nervous pacing back and forth. It is around 8:00 pm and her father is pricing potato chips on the shelves and Nicole is waiting for a customer to come any day now. She texts JJ again but there is no reply.
About twenty minutes goes by and a 2005 red mustang that looks like it's seen it's days pulls into the parking lot. When the driver opens the door it is to Nicole's surprise. Here come JJ holding a beautiful bouquet of red roses. He had on these tight fitted faded blue jeans, a red polo, and a clean fresh shaven face with literally zero stubble.
The front door bell rings as he enters the building. Nicole runs up to him and gives him a big hug.
Her father removes an AirPod from his ear and raises and eyebrow. He smoothly moves his way to the front of the store. "Hi there. You must be JJ right?" He questions as he points his right index finger.
"Yes sir." He extends his right hand and shakes Roy's  callus hand.
The two exchange smiles briefly before Roy says," Well, it's nice to meet you. Nicole has told me so much about you and your journey here to Pineville."
"Oh yes sir, I absolutely love it here. Everyone is so nice and let me tell you Miss Pat makes the best chocolate pie." He nudges Roy playfully before letting out one of his devious laughs.
Roy and Nicole are somewhat startled by it, and after they just proceed to laugh with him.
"Well sir, I was wondering since Miss Nicole's shift here is up in a bit maybe her and I can go have some dinner and do some sightseeing?" He asks now in his gentleman voice.
"Of course JJ, just don't have her out too late she's gotta help pops open the shop tomorrow." He now nudges Roy playfully. All three of them let out loud chuckles as if they had been friends for thirty five years.
"Well thank you sir." He puts his arm around Nicole's waist. "Don't worry I'll take good care of Nicole." He winks and grins.

Nicole walks out with JJ and quickly moves her car to the back of the shop since she will be riding with him.
"Hey when did you get a car?" She laughs
"Um today, I bought it from some young kid that was selling it." He taps on the rusty hood
"Hop in." He states as he opens the passenger door for Nicole.
She then gets in the car and as JJ is walking to the other side she recognizes his walk from somewhere.
She then laughs to herself and JJ gets in the car and starts it. He proceeds to buckle his seatbelt and back out of the parking lot.
The cold November air runs through Nicole's golden hair as the two drive down the road like some Bonnie & Clyde. Little does the woman know she's about to get a huge wake up call.
JJ puts his arm around Nicole and pulls her close.
"Ya know, I've never met a girl like you. You seem to just understand me. Ya know?" He says looking at her with a crooked smirk.
"I could say the same JJ. It's crazy how a guy like you would want a girl like me."
"What do you mean?" He questions
"Well, guys don't understand me most of the time. It's just I'm not like most girls. I'm don't party, I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I don't sleep around."
JJ nods his head while keeping his eye on the dark Pineville road. "Well that's a good thing." He smiles and then kisses her frigid cherry cheek.
Nicole smiles and leans her head onto his shoulder. The two drive for about thirty minutes and end up at down a dark road that's leads to a lake.
"Um I thought we were going to go to Miss Pat's?" She asks pointing out the window.
"Well, instead of dinner I just wanted to talk."
"Well, JJ I don't feel comfortable being all the way out here in the middle of nowhere to talk." Nicole's voice changes and she shifts away from JJ.
JJ wipes his face out of frustration and pauses for a moment. "Why's that? You don't trust me!" His voice starts to increase.
Nicole's voice becomes stern and demands, "Take me back to town now JJ!"
JJ slides over and gives Nicole a solid slap to the face. A red mark is now present on her right cheek.
"What the hell is wrong with you! I'm leaving!"
JJ proceeds to lift us his shirt and pulls out a Colt 1911. He rests the gun against Nicole's head.
"If you make any move or tell anyone about this, I will kill you and your family. You got that?"
Nicole then cries,"Why are you doing this!?" Her charcoal mascara is running down her pale face and her goldie locks are now sticks to her cheeks.
"We're done but remember I know where you live my dear so don't go to any authority unless you want to meet your Aunt Janie in heaven."
"You're a sick bastard you know that!" She yells.
"Get the fuck out!" He yells and re holsters his gun.
Nicole's head drops to the ground and she keeps her hands up in the air like she's being detained by police. She then opens the passenger door and closes it. JJ drives off into the night leaving a pile of dust as he drives down the country dirt roads.
Nicole knew she had about an hour to walk her way back to town. The sounds of frogs croaking and owls whooing covers the night. There are no signs of stars in the sky, and there are barely any street lights on.
This young 24 year old woman is left by herself walking the dark roads of Kentucky.