Don't Get Angry

45- Otis & Dalta: Kidnapped

Otis

We were parked at the gas station. It had been four hours. Dalta was suspicious but Todd and Penny had kept her laughing the entire ride. She and Penny were inside the store getting snacks. I asked Penny to get toothbrushes and anything a girl would need if we were travelling for a few weeks...maybe even hiding. Todd sat in the car staring at his phone and I stood outside leaned up against it. "So...," he said loudly, causing me to flinch. He leaned his head out the window. "What's the plan here?"

I looked at him. "What do you mean? I explained to you that Peter or Ethan will tell us when to come back."

"Not that. I'm referring to Dalta. You're aware that you've kidnapped her, right?"

I rolled my eyes and turned away.

"She'll be pissed when she realizes what's really going on. I mean...she's a straight A student and she's about to miss days of school-"

"Could you stop talking now-"

"And money. What's the issue with money? Do we have enough or are we going to borrow some from that bag in the trunk-"

"Todd," I yelled and looked at him. "Do you think I would drive us out here if I didn't know what I was doing?"

"Uh- yes, sir!"

I sighed and looked at the mini mart. Todd was right not trust me. I had not a clue what I was doing.

* * *

Dalta

I walked down the aisle with arms full of snacks. My excitement faded to confusion. Penny stood by the sanitary napkins holding a pack of toothbrushes. "Why are you buying toothbrushes?"

She jumped then turned to me giggling. "You scared me! Don't do that again...Uh- I'm buying them just in case."

"In case of what?"

"What if we don't find her today?"

I snorted then giggled. "We have to find her today. We have school tomorrow."

"We're not really doing anything in school right now. Plus, tomorrow no one's doing anything. It's mental health awareness day- "

"Are you sure about that? Because I'm not and I would know because I check the schedule everyday." I looked at Otis and Todd by the car. "Is that why all of you have stuffed bags with clothes?"

"For mental health awareness day?"

"No. In case we stay overnight? Where would we stay?"

Penny shrugged. "At a motel."

I gulped then looked down. "I change my mind. We should go home."

* * *

Otis

I stood by the car texting Peter. He wasn't responding. I groaned then looked up. Penny rushed out of the mini-mart holding bags of groceries. Dalta was walking slowly behind her. She looked at the ground arched brows, thinking about something. "She wants to go home," Penny mumble through gritting teeth, then opened the door and got in.

"What?" I looked at Dalta as she approached me.

She handed Penny the bags through the window then looked up at me. "We have school, Otis. I've already missed a few classes. I can't miss anymore."

"Dalta," I sighed. "We're almost out of town. If we turn back now-"

"We'll get home faster." She reached for my pocket. "Can I please have my phone?"