Innocent Fugitive

Into Action

After a day's rest, the Fugitives were ready to take action. Bella had made sure Teresa was ready for this a hundred times. Continuously asking, "Are you sure you can do this?"

But again and again, the answer would be, "Yes, I'm fine, Bella, don't worry."

Although, truthfully, Teresa was a little nervous. She tried to keep thinking, I'll be fine, I can do this!  But she would always get negative after thoughts.

Meanwhile, during all this, Margo and Carlo were trying to act like a normal couple without Margo laughing or Carlo getting awkward. It took all day to get right. But when everyone was ready, Bella said,

"Let's do this," but then added, "so it is over and done with."

- - -

Teresa was now standing outside a pub, underage, waiting for Joseph. Who seemed to have a knack for being late. She checked her phone again. 9:30. He was supposed to be here an half an hour ago.  She waited another half an hour before he finally arrived.

"Ooh! Your lookin' hot tonight babe!" he cried out as soon as he saw her.

"Your late, you were supposed to be here an hour ago," Teresa smiled as though this compliment didn't make her feel uncomfortable.

"You must have been desperate," Joseph smiled back.

"You wish," she nudged him playfully in the arm, "come on, let's get inside."

"After you," Joseph pulled the door open and Teresa walked inside. Joseph then took Teresa over to the bar. "Two of your strongest."

The bar tender said nothing but nodded. Teresa decided to start a conversation. "So, how long have you been a gangster?"

Joseph laughed, "Not long, only like five years or so, but I can't remember exactly."

"Interesting, well, I've only been a wanted criminal for a day," Teresa laughed a bit as she said this.

This made Joseph laugh even more. But before he could say anything, the drinks arrived and he drank a huge gulp at once. Teresa only took a sip, she couldn't afford getting drunk, there was too much at risk.

Joseph put his arm around Teresa and kissed her cheek, then pulled her closer to him. Teresa started to feel really uncomfortable and could smell alcohol in his breath. He had obviously been drinking before this.

Right on cue, Bella stepped up, this is getting a little too fast, too quickly. 

"Hey, what are you doing, Joseph?" she snapped at Joseph right before he leaned in on Teresa and gave her another kiss.

"Bella?! What are you doing here? What a surprise!" Joseph stuttered shocked that Bella had been there the whole time.

"Don't play innocent with me Joseph! I know what you were doing," Bella cried loudly so the whole pub was listening. Exactly what I wanted.

Teresa looked relieved. She had not liked this one bit. If I am the bait every time, I think I'm gonna quit this thing.

Joseph looked at Teresa but took her relief for anxiety. "Look, Bella, if I wanna date her, then I'm gonna date her, and there is nothing you can do about it!"

"Ah, yeah there is, she's my friend after all, and when I say you're bad news, she'll trust me, and stay far away from you! Won't you, Resa?" Bella retorted.

The fact that Bella had used Teresa's old nickname was a huge shock to Teresa. All she could stutter was, "Um... ah..."

Bella took it as a yes and continued, "So back off, Joseph!"

- - -

Meanwhile, while Bella was striking up an argument with Joseph, Margo and Carlo snuck out the back of the pub. This was where Bella had told them to find her uncle.

Margo and Carlo had not even needed to pretend they were a couple. They had literally snuck through without even holding hands. The only problem was that there were a lot of people hanging outside the building. It took a while for Margo and Carlo to work out where exactly Bella's uncle usually was.

They hurried over to the end of the alley and checked behind the garbage bins.

He wasn't there.

But before Margo could even start walking back inside to tell Bella, she saw two police cars and a van pull up in front of the pub.