Almost Doesn't Count [Short Story]

Free At Last

The police cruiser sped down the dark freeway, luring Harris further and further away from Nellie's pursuit. The cop in the driver's seat was average height with youthful features, but his voice contrasted oddly with his size. The driver looked soft, and his partner looked harmless. Harris glared contemptuously through the car's cage into the front seat where his duffle bag rested. Their threat was reliant solely on their badge, cuffs, and arms.

Harris looked through the windows in confusion and suspicion as the road became darker and darker. His inexperience with Nellie's city left him vulnerable and unaware of the usual twists and turns to the downtown police station. An unusual amount of minutes passed as he observed dimmer lots and quieter streets.

The cruiser pulled off of the freeway rolling to a stop in a black void. Harris choked on his boiling threats as the rookie officers removed his own gun from the bag and pointed it at the cage. The barrel was directed at his throat.

His final message to his brother to "Bring Bail A-SAP" was an indicator of his expected fate. But he anticipated slipping through the cracks of the justice system on yet another night.

The cops broke into vicious laughs as the driver set the weapon down and jumped out of their seats to pull Harris from the car. The lot was abandoned and remote. The driver cracked the cuffs while his partner stood with his arms pointed. Harris was stripped of his pistol, his piles of money, and his mysterious package. The valuables were now the police's crooked payday.

The threat in their tone was clear as one scoffed, "Stay out of Dale City with your bullshit."

Harris watched bitterly as they returned to the cruiser and sped off into the night – tires spitting gravel into his face behind them. Fury coursed through his veins as he paced the shadowy confines – contemplating reclaiming what was his and restoring order to his world. Stealing and stranding him was unacceptable penance, and he silently set to himself that the night would be far from over.

The police force scurried to search for another subject to detain on the report in Harris's place. He allowed himself a cold smile. When he returned to Dale City with his ameliorated arms, retribution would be swift and merciless. As he pictured the policemen celebrating their big score, he assured they would regret their arrogant encounter. Harris stood alone on the dark, deserted road.

Taking a deep breath, he began walking back west – his soldier navigation training resurfaced. Harris reasoned with himself that the night could have ended deathly. He had avoided arrest and still had his life. The full darkness pressed in with only the dim lights of distant isolated homesteads and a sea of stars to keep him company.

He went numb inside (as he marched forward).

The first faint light of dawn glowed on the horizon as he finally reached the empty parking lot of last night's ordeal. He clenched his jaw, anger boiling up hot again. His phone flooded with missed texts and calls.

NELLIE (SMS): "Please Harris, if you're able to read my message, you're still welcome at my home."

He drew in a shaky breath, steeling himself before entering the driver's seat and igniting the engine.

–

The eastern sky was just beginning to lighten as Harris finally reached Nellie's driveway. Exhaustion tugged at his limbs, but he forced himself out of the car and up to her front door.

The rumble of an approaching engine drew Nellie's attention. She jumped up from the couch just as Harris' car pulled into the driveway. Relief flooded through her at the sight of him. She didn't pause to consider what had held him up, just grateful he had come through after all.