Acid

Chapter Twenty: A Little Bit Of Crazy

JENNIFER'S DEMEANOR COMPLETELY changed, from being calm and collective, to down right petrified at the words of us staying flew through the air. Her body language was off and seemed as if she was uncomfortable, or afraid. Like a hunted animal that realized the "hunter" had finally caught up.  Whoever this Aamon is, has her completely riled up, even traumatized. As the conversation continued it wasn't hard not to notice her eyes getting un-normally wider at hearing our plan of staying and looting, she was nearly hyperventilating. Her fingers that once laid calmly beside her began to dig into the palms of her hands, leaving small half-moon indents. It made me wonder, was she really just passing through as she said, or was she running?

Liam continued to try and indulge in a little small talk, but no matter what topic he brought up, she wouldn't take the bait. She closed herself off, almost like someone shutting a door to block us from her. I easily got uncomfortable from her sudden silence, and the more she closed off the more awkward I felt. Tatum and I exchanged a small glance at each other, both of us seeming confused and a bit uncomfortable about Jennifer. The thing that confused me the most was that right after telling us to go, in that moment she seemed a littler deranged or unstable, but I couldn't put my finger on it. 

Soon an engine could be heard, first from a far distance but soon was gradually becoming more clearer as time went on. Rae finally got here, thank god. I don't mean any obscene but I honestly can't wait to hop back in that van, cuddle with my daughter and have our whole group leave the city, not just the city... leave Jennifer. With no disrespect, I couldn't wait to part with her.

"Alright guys, pack up, we're heading out" Liam ordered, definitely in a more calmer mood than before, must've been that fact we finally had something to bring back.

Everyone nodded in response, picking up our tiny bags that overflowed, a pleasant sight for once. We all began walking to the door, Jennifer almost flying through in a hurry, leaving before anyone else. Shaking my head with a sigh, I stepped aside for everyone to pass me, politely leaving last, or so I thought. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Dane bending over shoving something quickly into his bag before zipping it up, and throwing it around his shoulders. I motioned my hands, telling him to hurry and in response he did.

Exiting the pharmacy felt like true bliss, the air was fresh and clean, no longer dusty and damp. It felt like a rush of water falling down my body, washing away all the dirt and sweat, cleaning me thoroughly. This thought made me shiver as I desperately began to crave a nice lukewarm shower. Oh and maybe a tooth brush. I giggled to myself before I saw the van- wait that's not a van.

A tall dark black truck with rusty grey sheets of metal attached to both sides, small dried blood stained spikes attached to the front, was parked a little distance away. Analyzing the strange vehicle that wasn't there before, I recognized a big gun, that towered over the back, which looked like a machine gun, a tall muscular man arming it, along with two military men holding AK's approached, sum-what guarding a woman in the middle. The three of them gradually coming closer to our tiny defenseless, tired group. They packed heavy, knifes attached to their thighs, pistols in holsters on their hips, bulges underneath there clothing clearly stating more guns were underneath, while the AK's were tightly in there grasps. All the weapons we had were worthless compared to those guns! I ran at a sprinting pace to stand beside Tatum and Liam, my supplied filled bag making clanking noises as I approached, out of breath.

"Who are you?" Liam shouted out to the approaching group.

The woman ignored his comment or just didn't hear because of the distance. She and the others silently came closer until we were only two meters away from each other. Face to face with someone who didn't speak to us nor had a good aura scared me shitless. She looked us up and down, scanning everything about us but her eyes were drawn to our bags, quickly looking to the pharmacy. I watched as she looked at the wooden boards we had ripped off the doors to get in, were on the ground, to a chocolate bar that clearly came from inside the store, was being eaten by Darrin. Her hands drifted to her hips, as her eyebrows arched, making her expression seem angry. She was about to say something until she noticed Jennifer who lingered in the back of our group, trying to hide herself. The woman's expression changed and she grinned, giggling to herself.

"Jennifer, darling" She paused "You've had me looking all over for you"

Jennifer's face went white, frozen in terror. "I- I-"

"Shhh, darling no need to quiver" The woman teased.

"I'm sorry whats going on here, who are you!" Liam said getting a bit pissed off.

The military looking men beside the mysterious woman laughed out loud, as if what Liam said was the funniest joke they've ever heard, the woman in the middle laughing with them before grinning again.

"I'm Aamon, I'm surprised Jenny here never mentioned me, after all we have so much history" she paused looking at Jennifer "Ain't that right?"

When I first met Jennifer she had the guts to put a gun to my head no questions asked because she thought I was with this woman's group, she honestly seemed brave, but now, she just stands there almost frozen in time, even expressionless!

"Jennifer what is she talking about?" Tatum asked "Is this the person you were talking about"

"You know I'd like to sit here all day talking to you guys but... I have an appointment for my nails" She clearly joked nudging the men beside her "So let's get straight down to business"

"What business?" I asked.

"You've just stolen from our entire camp and are holding a fugitive" One of the men said.

"We haven't stolen anything!" Sandy raised her voice, something she never does.

"And, what fugitive?" Darrin added.

"That one." The man on the right stated, pointing at Jennifer. "There are consequences to your actions."

"We don't want any trouble," Tatum said cautiously. 

"You made trouble once you came into our city and helped little Jenny here," Aamon snapped. Her eyes were dead, emotionless. 

"Jennifer," I whispered, turning to her. "What did you do?" 

She paled. "It doesn't matter." 

"Yes, it does!" 

"What are the consequences?" Tatum asked. 

"This." Aamon smiled sadistically. 

I watched as Aamon cocked her head to the side squeezing her eyes shut as if the sounds of our voices bothered her, before re opening them to glare straight at us once more. I found myself drawn to her facial expressions, the way her eyes were dead and her glare cold, was enough to making anyone squirm. Focusing so hard on her face I neglected to notice what she was grabbing with her hand, and by the time the loud gun rang out it was to late. 

The thud of a body falling is a sound you never want to hear, but you know as soon as you hear it.