A Car Ride Home

F O O D

P r e v i o u s l y 

I wanted to go, but not with Lilly! What if something happened to her? I would have gotten my angel into danger. "You're coming?" he asked. Silently praying she would say no, but that's not his Lilly. She simply nodded her head, grabbed her flashlight, keys and phone, before taking his hand, and pulling him out the glass box, she called an office.

"My shifts, over now anyway. Let's check it out, and then get some food before my class," she smiled as though they were talking about taking a walk to the park instead of a possible threat. Al didn't miss the fact that Lilly's hand was securely in his. In fact, he liked the feeling, and even gave her hand a nice squeeze.

"Alright. Let's go," Al stated. She will not get hurt. Together hand in hand they walked out of the parking garage and into the building.

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When they walked out she noticed the cops holding a man in custody. Other's were checking through the bag, which was filled with guns off all kinds. The problem was, when she got closer to the man being held, it wasn't the man she had seen. "I guess the cops do have everything under control," Al sighed, but Lilly couldn't shake the sickening feeling. Something's not right. "Where do you want to eat?" Al asked, before he realized she hadn't moved. "Lilly?"

"That's not the man I saw," she stuttered. "There's another." Al didn't even have time to process what Lilly was saying before she sprinted towards the building. He ran after her, catching her by the waist. "We have to get him!" She called.

"You go get the police," Al told her, but she was already shaking her head, no.

"I know what the guy looks like," she stated, firmly. Al looked around to the front desk, and reached over to the man dressed in similar fashion as Lilly.

"I need you to calmly and quickly go out to the police and inform them that there is another possible shooter in the building," Al whispered with such a relax force that no one would have guessed what he was asking unless they heard his words. 

The security guard turned white, before nodding and standing.

"Okay, what does the bag look like?" Al directs at Lilly.

"Same as the one in front of the police," she recited.

"Alright, stay behind me, and tell me if you see him." They started up the stairs. Al was on high alert. He never thought he would be thrust back into a situation like this. His mind went blank. All that mattered was getting the guy, and the girl behind him gently touching his back. 

Lilly had taken her taser out, and was gripping it tell her knuckles were white. They got to the first floor, and together they peeked in. Not seeing anyone matching the description they proceeded up the stairs, and continued for three more floors. Just has Lilly was beginning to feel more at ease. They finally reached the top floor. Nothing? "I didn't imagine it," Lilly whispered. "That wasn't the right guy," she stated, looking down. Thinking of the man she had spoken with. Sure she hadn't gotten a clear picture of him, but the man in the back of the police car was not him. 

"I believe you," Al reassured her. "You did well. You acted on your instinct to protect," He tried. "Come on. Let's go tell the police what you saw, and then lunch," he winked, in attempts to cheer her up. It felt strange he hand't done something like that in a long time, but at the same time it was natural like the old him was returning. 

She let out a shaky sigh, but nodded, and they took the elevator down to the first floor, where police were talking to the security. They seem to be getting irritated with the man Al had talked to at the front desk. "Excuse me," Lilly spoke up, earning glances from two officers. "My names Lilly. I made the call about the suspicious activity."

"Yes. We caught the man in question," one of the officers stated.

But Lilly shook her head, "No, the one I talked too was not the man in custody. He's still out there," she informed them a hint of worry in her voice.

"Would you be able to give us a description of the man you interacted with?" She nodded. "Follow us."

After an hour with the police. It was pretty clear Lilly would not being going to class today. "Come on. Food is calling me," Lilly groaned holding her stomach. 

"We're almost to the food court. Hang in there a bit longer," Al told her, but without him realizing Lilly had stopped walking. After a few steps forward he noticed Lilly was no longer beside him," Lilly," he quickly called, before seeing her pretending to be unable to walk from lack of food. Al just chuckled.

"Go on without me Al," she waved.

"Oh no, Lil," he shouted, playing along. He ran those few feet to her, and, without even thinking picked her up into his arms. Lilly was in shock, but soon was laughing hysterically has Al began running towards the food court. When they entered Al slowed down, but still held Lilly.

"Put me down," she laughed, and after contemplating just keeping her in his arms, he reluctantly placed her back on the ground. "Thank you," she sighed, catching her breath.

"Anything for you," he stated, scratching the back of his neck. Lilly noticed he only really did that when he was shy, which was an adorable emotion to see on such a sturdy man. Immediately she felt blush rising to her cheeks and knew they were beet red from his comment. "I mean you did save the day," he added, referring to help the police with another possible suspect.

Lilly rolled her eyes at his ending comment, "So what do you want?" 

Al tried very hard not to let it bother him that Lilly was going to pay for yet another one of his meals. He felt like a leech to her hard earned money, and although she continued to offer. He knows that's just in her nature. He can't wait until he can start taking her out to eat, and buying her things. "Just order two of whatever you get. I'll try to snag us a table," he states, scouting the crowded court.

Lilly walked towards the closet burger shop, and order. While she waited for their food she turned to find Al. Soon her eyes landed him, cleaning off the table, and stealing two chairs from neighboring tables. She watched has he looked at the snagged spot with a proud smile, before taking a seat. Since yesterday when he opened up about his family, and his time in the military, Lilly found herself wanting to talk to him about her own situation, but she was afraid. She didn't want to burden him with her troubles. He had his own, but she noticed how his brows seemed to lift, and his eyes lightened after, and she wanted that too. 

"Miss, your order is ready," the boy at the counter interrupted her thoughts, and she retrieved the food. When she turned back Al was waving her down.

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To be continued...