SAIL

•chapter 2.5•

•bonus chapter•

After a couple of hours of going through houses, I now have a little stash of things I'll be needing. I've switched out the gun from the facility with an old pistol, grabbed a backpack to put everything in, a pocket knife, at least four handfuls of dollar bills, scissors, a shaving set, and another change of clothes.

I find a 24 hour dinner and go inside. I go over to a lady behind the counter. She greets me. "Hey there, darling? How can I help you?" "Do you have a bathroom?" I ask. She nods and tells me. "Thank you," I follow her directions. When I get in there, I see it's only a bathroom for one, which is what I need. I lock the door and take out the scissors and shaving set. Taking off all my clothes, I look at myself in the mirror. It's been a long time since I last saw my own reflection, and I look a lot different with all the hair. Also, all the cuts I've received from the glass are all healed up like it never happened.

I start with the scissors. I cut my hair shorter, leaving bangs that reach my brows. Then I cut the hair on my face to make it easier for shaving. I shave the hair off my face and also my underarms and legs. This helps change my image greatly. I inspect myself in the mirror again. Now I look younger, so when they come looking for me, they'll just walk right by.

Trying to pick up all the hair, I put it all in the shirt I was just wearing. I put on the other set of clothes and put $50 in my pocket along with the pocket knife. I put the hoodie back on and place everything back into the bag and leave the restroom the way it was before. I then leave the dinner.

•••

Walking down the sidewalk of the city, it seems pretty crowded and noisy at night. There's lights everywhere and people talking and shopping. I look in the window of a café at a tv. It's on a weather channel. In the left, bottom corner it says that today and July 4 and that it's 12:35am. Is it really that late? I can't believe that people would be out this late.

I turn to continue walking, but then I accidentally run into someone and stumble back onto my ass. "Whoa! I'm sorry man. I didn't see you there," a guy holds his hand out to me. I look up at him. This guy looks different then everyone else. His skin is very pale and his hair and eyes are two different colors, but what gets to me is that it all looks natural on him. I hesitate to take his hand. What if he has powers too? What if they sent him to catch me? "Sorry, again," he smiles. Ugh, how can his smile be so warm and welcoming? "Watch where you're going next time," I hiss at him and walk away. Looking at his smile made me want to hurl because it reminded me of Miss T.

I continue to walk, but it feels like he's following me. I stop and he stops. I turn and look at him and he turns and looks over his shoulder, too. "What the hell do you want from me?" He looks at me, "Nothing. It just seems like you're lost. Like you're just wandering around because you have nowhere to go." I stare him in the eyes. "Also, your eyes," he gets closer to me and leans down so we're eye level, "I've never seen eyes as grey as yours. They also show that you had a troubling past that keeps coming to haunt you." I turn away and shield my eyes from him. "What are you? Some kind of fortune teller?" "You can say that," he walks around me so that we're facing each other again. "Tch," I push past him and speed walk away, but he keeps following me.

I turn into an alley, hoping that I could lose him there, but somehow he got in front of me. "How did yo-," he pushes me up against the wall, putting both hands beside my head. "You are lossssst," he says, dragging out the "s" like a snake. I glare at him, shoving pretend daggers in his chest. "What do you want from me?" I yell. "I just want to share a cup of cocoa and a friendly conversation with you. That's all. I also might be able to help you get a place to sleep for a few days," he backs off and smiles.

I don't know if I should listen to him. He could be working with the government to get me back. But... I really don't know what to do. Maybe I should go with him. "You should go with him, kid. I feel like you could trust him, but remember to stay cautious," Robbie says. I nod. "Okay. I'll go with you, but don't try anything stupid. If you couldn't tell, I don't really trust strangers." "I know you don't. I could tell," he holds up the pocket knife I had in my back pocket. "How?" I question. He chuckles, "I took it when I ran into you." He then hands it back. "Sorry, I get a little grabby when I see something I want." "So, you're-." "A thief. I know," he smiles again.