The hunt for Rose

chapter 2

Year 3009

"That will be 8 dollars, um, sir?" the old cashier handed the hooded person their energy bar, bottle of water, and pocket knife in a plastic bag with the convenience store's logo. The person dug in their cargo shorts, taking out 4 crumpled bills. The cashier took the money and smiled cheerfully. " Thank you, come again!" The hooded stranger nodded and left the convenience store just as some police men entered.

Shit.

 The stranger quickened their pace out and towards the beat up red pick up truck. A strong gust of wind suddenly blew out, making the black hood of the stranger fall back. The stranger froze. The gust of wind also crashed some empty coke cans into the store doors. Catching a law official's attention, his eyes landed on a feminine face with a tousled magenta braid, eye contact was made. Immediately he acted, instantly recognizing the infamous tribal warrior.

"FREEZE. " the cop hollered out, his partner following actions. The girl stood stunned for a moment before she threw both hands up in the air, middle fingers raised.

"FUCK OFF!" she spat out, then yanked open the truck door and jumped inside, ducking under the steering wheel as gunshots fired. She jammed the keys into the ignition, causing the vehicle to roar with life. The cops ran outside, shots firing, as the dusty red truck managed to drive away.  

"We need back up at route 76! The tribal warrior of Xena has been spotted! " they jumped into their police car, zooming after the red truck.

Dahlia looked into her rear view mirror, spotting the police car right on her tail.

"Damn it!" she stuck her head out the window, " Did you mother fuckers call back up!?" she slammed her booted heel on the brakes and quickly turned to car around. "I'm gunna kill you!"

She sped towards the police car, clearly seeing the horror and shock of the loyal law officials. At the last minute, Dahlia grabbed her bag, kicked open the door, and rolled out the truck as the two vehicles crumpled into each other. She stayed on the sandy ground, heat intensifying ten fold from the huge fire the cars made. She watched for a minute before slowly getting up, dusting off her cargo pants and combat boots.

Two more people killed.  

Dahlia grabbed her new pocket knife from the bag and stashed it in one of the many pockets of her pants. She slung the bag and began her journey on foot. She felt no remorse for the death of the two police men, after all, they did work for the north. 

This is so fucking tiring! Stupid ass border control. 

35 more miles, and Dahlia would reach the northern border, Odio. She quickened her pace, this was an opportunity she could not miss. Suddenly grinning with the thought of completing her mission, she pulled up her hood to cover her magenta hair and began sprinting towards the nearest bus station.

A rapid change in weather occurred, from searing heat, to cool steady falling rain. Franz looked up, holding out his hand to catch some droplets.

That's strange. It shouldn't rain 'til next week. Freaky south, I guess.

Franz looked out the window of the bus station, clutching his bus ticket. The tallest person there, Franz wasn't even a full grown man. He just turned 19, the enrollment age for factory working in Odio. Franz shivered with the thought of working in that retched factory in the north, having his dream crippled because General Versa wanted more humanoid soldiers for the war with Mars. The war just started, a couple months ago to be precise. It was mainly the northern part of Earth fighting Mars, over monarchy or something. Franz didn't really care.

The sky was gray, the inside of the bus station was dim and quiet, full of peaceful travelers. Some going heading towards Odio, others towards Xena.

Franz sighed in boredom, as he spotted a hooded figure jogging towards the bus station. The person looked as if though they were tiring from being on foot. Why would they go on foot? Strange person.

He watched as the person drew closer to the bus station, until they finally opened the door and stepped inside. The stranger was dripping wet, and bent over to catch their breath.

Dahlia stood up straight and cracked her neck.

Why the hell did I run!?

She rummaged threw her pockets, checking each and every one.

Don't fucking tell me...I have no money!? GAHHH!

She sighed. How is she going to get a ticket. Well, she could always get someone as a hostage. It's not like she wasn't already a wanted criminal. Looking around she examined the faces of everyone there. The eyes always gave a person away. Her eyes spotted a fairly tall boy with disheveled blonde hair. He seemed as though he was running away, his grey eyes holding a small shine for a new start. She cocked her head in question as their eyes met.

Yeah he's definitely running away. Perfect!