Everyone Is A Criminal

Running Away and Big Plans

DANIEL

Skylar offers us a cheap bottle of perfume and a towel. I rub my feet with the towel, however unhygienic that may be. The towel is turning browner and soon enough it will probably be black, gross, and disgusting. Dylan sprays the tropical scented perfume around us, and Brookie asks for a block of chocolate, which she receives.

It was crammed. The car is only meant for four people and was tight with five. Six is horrible.

Mikayla and Skylar are up front. Finn, Dylan, Brookie, and me are in the back. Mikaylas Siamese cat is below our feet, and Maisy, Finns Pomeranian, is by Skylar's feet. The other space below our feet has someones baggage.

Why couldn't we have stolen a bigger car?

The radio is on. Something about a school in Perth. Suddenly, the reporter comes on with:

Now, for an update on the Lopez-Price case.

Skylar oohs. Mikayla shushes her.

Brooklyn has been broken out of prison, along with Daniel a few weeks earlier.

Through CCTV footage, we can confirm that they went in through a manhole on Roland Street. Their departure has not been seen, so it has been speculated there may be a hacker in the group.

Skylar smiles. ''That would be me. I noticed the camera and tampering with the feed was easy''

''So you could tamper with a public camera feed but couldn't get a prison schedule?''

Skylar turns around and whacks Dylan on the face. He shrugs and smiles.

Daniel, as well as a younger male accomplice, can be seen climbing into the manhole.

The accomplice is...

''ME!''

We all laugh and shush Dylan as the reporter finishes up and goes back to the original story.

''Well, they didn't say anything about the car, so that's good. I think that I'm the only one who hasn't been spotted though'' Skylar says.

''Yeah, but people will probably be on high alert now that both Daniel and Brook are out, which will mean that couch surfing is riskier. I'm driving us out of Utah. We can go up near Idaho and Washington, up to Canada. Take a plane out of America'' Mikayla says.

Suddenly Jude shakes her head. ''That sounds amazing, but I need to get to Florida. And fast. My college resumes in like, two days and I need to get there''

Finn shrugs. ''I just googled it. It's only five hours to Canada.''

Me and Brook look at each other. ''Well, what about us? Border patrol, airport security...'' Brooks voice trails off. Skylar shrugs. ''I mean, the case isn't as big worldwide. America just decided to blow it up. Dylan, you have your fake IDs, right?''

Dylan shakes his head. ''Nope. I mean, I have fake IDs, but they won't be enough to get us on a plane. What we need is fake passports, which I don't have. However, I know a place in Washington. We stop there, they can get us plane tickets and passports in under an hour.''

Mikayla nods. ''If they sell fake passports, I'm assuming its safe for Brook and Daniel?''.

I laugh at that. For these past four years, nowhere has been safe for me and Brookie.

Dylan nods. ''Yep. They spend their spare time committing arson and robbing banks. All we need to know is where we are all going''

I grin at Brookie. ''I've always liked Australia. Our case isn't as big there, and I have family who wasn't there that day. I've kept in minor contact with them, and they know we are innocent. We can stay with them'' Brookie nods, exited at the idea.

Mikayla sighs. ''I think it's pretty obvious that we can't feign innocence. Finn, you want to go to Europe?'' Finn nods. ''Got that, boss'' Mikayla rolls her eyes. ''Where did that nickname come from?''. Finn grins. ''Well, you bossed me into this, boss. And you also bossed me into giving you the earpod, boss. I think that qualifies as boss behaviour, boss''. We all laugh.

''You all know that I'm heading back to uni. Another semester of listening to lectures about stuff I already know while playing the sims and hacking into the search histories of the people in front of me''

I chuckle at that. ''Well, for me, I guess it's back to Arizonia and making fake IDs. Living my best life!'' Dylan says.

''Hey uh, Dylan, wasn't it your car that we ditched back after we did Daniels break out?'' Skylar tentatively asks.

''Oh yeah...good point Skylar'' Finn says.

Dylan shrugs. ''don't worry, honestly. I was already planning to trash it- the motor was faulty, so it was due to crash in the next month or so. I have enough saved to buy a new one''

Brookie pauses for a minute. ''Wait. Weren't you Jude the last time I met you?''

Dead silence drops for a moment.

''Oh. Wait. Sorry Brook, I forgot to fill you in'' Skylar says. ''So, I basically just faked my name in case someone tried killing me, I'm actually Skylar Grace'' Skylar says, glancing in the rearview mirror.