Chance Encounter

Chapter 1

Sophia's POV

"Hey Sophia? Can you hang those up before you leave? I'm gonna head home a little early tonight." My boss, Grace, asks me.

I work in a clothing store in Los Santos, and I'm about to clock out when she asks me to do this.

"Sure!" I say. She leave the keys on the counter, and out the door she goes.

A little background of me. I am from Missouri and I moved here about two years ago to pursue my dream in becoming a singer. I have my own YouTube channel with about five thousand subscribers. I record videos of me singing, and occasionally of me playing video games. I have long brown hair, and brown eyes to match. My dad used to always tease me, saying the reason why my eyes were brown was because I was always full of shit.

I've been working for Grace for almost the full two years that I've lived in Los Santos. She's been a good friend whenever I needed her.

I start hanging up the clothes she asked me to, when I hear the news come on.

I listen. "The Crew have once again saved the bank from being robbed. How long will they last with the many enemies they have made over the years? Janice, what do you think?"

"I don't think for very long, John. I mean, come on, I love The Crew just as much as the next guy, but one of these days, all their enemies are going to team up and hit them hard. I just hope they have been preparing for the worst because you never know."

They talk about The Crew almost every day, and that's the main reason why I listen in. There's a few people in The Crew, and even though they are not a big gang like most, they can kick some ass.

One member that I feel more attracted to than the others is their leader, Vanoss. That's really the only name I know. He's the only one the newscast ever talks about. Anyway, even though he always wears an owl mask, red zip up jacket and jeans, there's just something about him that makes him different. Unique.

As I am about to finish hanging up the clothes I was asked, a customer walks in with a few of his friends. I look at each one of them as they walk in, and take in every detail.

Blue hoodie, hockey mask, kind of tall, muscular. I've seen this guy before.

Wearing a suit, yellow flip flops, glasses, curly dirty blonde hair. This guy looks familiar too.

Shirtless, shorts, pig mask. Am I hallucinating?

Tank top, bright blue pants, curly brown hair. I don't think I've taken any hallucinogens.

Tall, skinny, dark hair, paper bag. Paper bag?

Darker skin, curly brown hair, monkey mask. Could it be..?

Leather jacket, jeans, short dirty blonde hair. No it couldn't.

But just then, he walks in, wearing his red jacket, and owl mask.

I try to be cool. "Hello, can I help you guys find anything?"

Vanoss just stares at me for a moment. "Go browse around, guys. Act normal. I'll join in a sec." He walks up to me.

"Can we hide in here for a few minutes?" he asks in a kind of whisper.

"Um.." I start. With these masks on, these guys stick out like sore thumbs. "Now, call me crazy or whatever, but I don't think you guys will do a whole lot of blending in with those masks on."

He just looks at me. Almost like he's examining me, trying to figure me out.

Just then, gunshots are heard from outside, along with a guy on a megaphone. "Oh Vanoss! You and your little friend group can't hide forever!" Now when I say that this guy is a big dude, I mean he is a BIG dude. Not comparable to The Rock or anything, but pretty damn near.

"We don't have anymore time, Vanoss," the one in the blue hoodie says.

"Delirious, I know." Vanoss says, trying to be cool.

"Fuck it, come back here and hide!" I say as I'm trying to rush them to the back room where all of our security monitors were. "Just... hide here and I'll pretend like you guys aren't here."

I close the door to the room, and go back to the register just as the guy with the megaphone comes in with two other men, who stand at the doorway.

"Hi, how can I help you?"

"You haven't seen.. a gang with funky masks around, have you?" He asks, getting closer to the counter.

"Just on T.V." I point to the screen. "But while you're here, can I interest you in our tux jackets? 20% off today only!"

"Look girl, I don't know if you know who you're talking to." He says menacingly.

"I mean, we just met. Usually when I meet someone new, they start with their name or 'I'm looking for this' type deal. I'm an expert in finding clothes in this store, not people I've never even seen in person before." I shrug my shoulders. I try to keep it cool.

He gives me a look that could kill. "Quit playing games, and tell me where they are!"

"Who?"

"The Crew!"

"Last time I knew, they saved a bank from being robbed. You could try asking the bank tellers if they know." God I'm funny.

"I know you know where they are, so let's make this easier for me and you." He pins me against the wall, his hand on my throat. "Where. Are. They?"

"Usually, when a guy starts to choke me, I know his name and we do a little foreplay. Maybe kiss a little, I don't know."

"Jesus Christ, it's Jay. Now, where are they?" His grip tightens, he lifts me and I can't breathe.

"I... don't... know." I manage.

He lets me go, and I drop to the floor, struggling for air.

He walks out with his guards, and I lock up the store. I wait a few minutes until I know for sure he's gone, then I go back into the security room.

"He's gone." I tell them, rubbing my throat.

"Thank you, for hiding us and doing that for us." Flip flop tux guy says.

"Oh don't worry about it. You guys have had your fair share, so I thought I'd give back, even though it isn't much."

Vanoss walks up to me. "You have no idea how much you gave to us. Thank you."

After that, I give them my name and they tell me their names as they walk out the back of the store.

I already knew Delirious, from a few minutes before, but he introduces himself like a gentleman anyway. Flip flop tux guy is Mini Ladd. Pig mask is Wildcat. Tank top is Moo Snuckel. Paper bag is Daithi De Nogla. Monkey mask is Basicallyidowork. And finally, leather jacket is Terroriser.

Vanoss is last. "I'm Vanoss, and Sophia, if you ever need anything, call this number. It's our hideout secret phone number. After what you just did for us, I trust you enough to give this to you. It's a high honor."

I look at the number, then back at him. "I just lied to him and said you weren't here, why do I deserve this?"

"Because a lot of people these days would've given us up for a price. You didn't even think of that." He rubs my arm. "If you need anything. Someone to talk to, someone to save you, seriously, call that number, and at least one of us will be there."

And with that, he's gone.

(I'm kinda proud of this chapter, considering it's been, what? Two years? Maybe three? I don't know. But I hope you guys liked it.

And as always, I will see you, in the next chapter!)