SHEOL

29

                       

The problem wasn't whether or not we could find a working vehicle: of course we could. The problem was stealing the damned thing.

We had to take all factors into consideration. The main difficulty that we had to overcome was not being seen. It was mid-day, and the sun was not in our favor.

We loaded everything into The Healer's truck and stood outside of it, trying to figure out just how we wanted to commit grand theft auto.

     "There are plenty of reliable automobiles in this lot." Samos mentioned. "But I feel as though it would be more beneficial to wait until later tonight."

      "Do we have such a luxury?" The Window Killer asked aloud. "To wait, I mean."

     The Healer considered the situation. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. But where are we gonna go? We can't all just sit in my truck, at least not for very long."

     "We could go to a library." Kingston suggested. Before he could elaborate, his cell phone let off a generic ring. "I'll be right back, I have to take this." He walked to the other side of the truck and plugged his ear with his right hand while holding the device ever so cautiously with his left.

     I shivered in the wrath of the post-Christmas breeze. I had changed into warmer clothes while we were still inside, but those gusts of arctic air still pierced through my paper skin. I looked over at Samos. He stood silently in his thin, threadbare clothes and lack of shoes. He didn't quiver when the wind touched him, but it was obvious that he was growing numb in this subzero weather.

      I walked over to him. "Aren't you cold?"

     He shrugged, his feet turning bright red on the frigid blacktop. "I wouldn't say that I'm warm. It doesn't really matter, though. A little discomfort has never harmed anyone."

     I shed the burly parka that The Healer had loaned to me and wrapped it around his emaciated shoulders. "Here." I said. "Now you won't be so cold."

     "Thank you, Miss---"

     "October." I responded coyly. "October Haas."

     "Well, thank you for your kindness, Miss Haas."

     Kingston trotted back to the rest of us, standing icily on the opposite side of The Healer's truck.

     "Who was it?" The Healer inquired. He wore a suspicious expression on his face.

     Kingston shoved him and opened the driver's side door, hopping in, but careful enough to not knock over the flaming candle. "We need to go, now!"

     The Healer climbed in and started the engine. "What the hell do you mean 'we need to go now'? Who called you?"

     The rest of us filed on the other side, with Samos ending up on Kingston's lap because the lack of space.

     "It was Rob." Kingston spat through his teeth.

     "Isn't Rob a mute?" The Window Killer challenged.

      Kingston nodded. "He uses Morse Code on the phone." He called attention to the parking lot's exit. "We have to leave right now. We can hijack a minivan in another town, but right now you're gonna need to step on it!"

     The Healer pulled out from the cramped parking space and drove through the lot. "Why do we have to rush? Did Rob tell you something?"

    Before he spoke, he bent down and picked up the still-burning candle, which sat half melted in the off-white mug, and handed it to The Window Killer. He then stretched his legs.