Walmart Must Die

Link: II

"Okay, kid, drop the act—we know you live here," Neo said, stepping out from behind the counter. "And that most likely means you saw something last night."

"I don't know what you're talking about, I don't live here."

"What's the name of the motel you're staying at?" I asked.

"Um...I don't remember."

"Trick question, our friend saw your car parked in a driveway," Neo smirked, obviously proud of me for thinking of that question. Before, she could have explained it away as she was visiting family members or something. Not anymore.

"What did you see last night?" Neo asked, walking closer to her to tower over her, maybe force out an answer by intimidation.

But he didn't need to, after being caught in the lie, she caved and the truth came out: "I saw three people coming out of an abandoned K-Mart. That's it. I have no idea what you were doing, okay? And I don't want to know."

Neo and I shared a glance. Or, I think, it's hard to tell with those damn shades.

"Why didn't you just drive away?" Neo asked.

"Thought I saw a gun. Thought you guys might chase me and I had no idea where I could hide."

"So you hid in plain sight," I said, nodding.

"That's really all you saw?"

"What more was there to see?"

"Nothing." Neo motioned for me to unlock the door as he started back toward the counter.

I flipped the open sign back around, opened the door, then stood aside, holding it open for the (hopefully a) girl. She didn't move.

"There was no gun, was there?" The question was directed at Neo but he did not reply. "You guys are harmless, aren't you?"

"Stay away from K-Mart. Hell, Walmart, too, if you know what's good for you. Now leave. You aren't welcomed here anymore."

She whipped around in a huff and stormed past me.

"Hey, wait!" I called after her. "You and I can still hang out! Could I have your phone—annnnnd she's gone. Thanks a lot, Neo. We had a genuine connection there."

"You can find someone else who loves Earthbound and Mother 3. Who knows, maybe even next time it'll be a girl."

And so an argument ensued, me vehemently defending Zero's femininity.

Even then, I knew we'd see that specially marked beanie again.

#

Who did that asshole think he was? "The One"? With some big mission to save the world? Bullshit. You walked into that damn store just to look at some games, you didn't ask for all that shit. They were up to something and whatever it was you were now damn sure that they were not gun crazy maniacs.

So you were going to find out what they were doing in that K-Mart.

And what the hell was that bit about Walmart? Do they go in there at night, too? Maybe they're shop lifters? Too many questions, not enough answers.

You'd fix that. Tonight.

#

This time you decided to be smart. You left your car parked in the downtown area (away and out of sight of Neo's shop) and went the rest of the way on foot. You stayed as far away from the road as you could and moved as fast as possible. It would be just your luck for them to pass you on their way to the store.