Under Arrest (Scömìche)

{9}

The alarms blared as I sprinted with the sack of money.  Salty beads of sweat poured down my face and onto my navy blue sweater from all the running. However, to say it was cold was an understatement; it was the middle of February. I tried my best to hold onto the money bag, but my numb fingers were beginning to loose their grip. 

As soon as I realized I had lost the police, I kneeled behind a wide tree to catch my breath. My back slid down the rough bark until eventually, I was laying on the ground. A small piece of paper a few feet away from me caught my eye. I hastily snatched it from underneath a pile of leaves and read it.

Wanted Alive: Scott Richard Hoying

Height: 6' 3"

Hair Color: Blonde

Eye Color: Blue

Last Seen: Unknown

"Oh, no," I thought to myself. I crumpled up the piece of paper and tossed it into a nearby trash can. I could almost hear my heart pounding out of my chest as I stealthily put the money in my car and drove to pick up my little sister. 

Her elementary school wasn't too far, so I parked and walked inside to retrieve her. I saw her classroom, where she was cheerfully talking to a little blonde girl. I waved at her, and she picked up her backpack and met me at the door.

"How was school today, Lauren?" I asked her.

She grinned at me. "Fun! Today, we learned about the water cycle." I grabbed her small hand to make sure she didn't run off, but she glared at me.

"What's wrong?" I wondered.

"You don't have to hold my hand, Scotty," Lauren said. "I'm a big girl, now." I laughed.

"Alright, alright. You're growing up, I can respect that." 

As I opened the front door to the school, I heard someone call, "There he is!"

I looked up and saw three police cars surrounding mine.

"Are you Scott Hoying?" one of the officers asked me. Lauren stared at me with a perplexed expression on her face. I didn't want her to know the truth, but it had to come out eventually. I looked down at Lauren, then back up at the policeman. 

"I- uh- yeah?" I stammered.  The officer glanced at me disappointedly. I couldn't tell if he pitied me, but I wouldn't if I were him. I felt the cold, metal handcuffs snap around my wrists. I sighed.

"Scotty?" Lauren called. "What's happening?"

I avoided eye contact with her as the police officer escorted me to one of the police cars.

"Wait! Stop! What are you doing to my brother?!"

One of the other officers grabbed my little sisters hand and started interrogating her. 

"Leave her alone, please!" I tried to run, but the policeman's arm wasn't about to budge.

"Don't struggle." he hissed.

I attempted to wipe my tear stained cheeks with my shoulder since my hands were unavailable. 

"Scott Hoying, you are under arrest for the robbery of Bank of Arlington. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can be used against you in a court of law..."