THE CHOSEN

Chapter 2

Allan Hawkins wakes to his phone ringing, sounding off, "Hells Bells." Allan reaches over to get his glasses and turn on the lamp on his nightstand. He doesn't recognize the number but decides to answer, "Hello, who the hell is this?" He asks hatefully.

"Hello, Mr. Hawkins. This is Sheriff Evan Kane, the County Sheriff. I'm currently at your store, The Donut Hole. Sir, we have a problem here, and I need you to come down as soon as possible. Do you understand?"

"I'm sorry, were we robbed? Is Sarah, all right?" Allan asks in a calmer voice and very concerned. He gets out of bed and moves quickly to his closet to get some clothes and a lightweight sweater. Allan doesn't enjoy the cold very much, even if the temperatures are in the sixties. He's a small man, just five-foot-five and weighs only one-fifty. Allan wanted to join the U.S. Army but blew out his knee in a baseball game. He wound up having his knee scoped, which caused a medical disqualification. The call to his recruiter to inform him was one of the most challenging phone calls he has had to make to date.

"Mr. Hawkins, I will explain what's happening when you arrive. I need to go. I'll see you soon then?"

"Yes, I'm getting ready as we speak. I will be there as quickly as possible," Allan says, hanging up. Allan rushes out to his Toyota Prius. He starts the engine that sounds like a lawnmower and drives off. Thoughts of being robbed and Sarah being injured or worse keep crossing his mind. His heart is racing, and he's nearly out of breath. Allan rolls his window down just enough to get some fresh air. As he comes within sight of his store, he sees the gathering of law enforcement and their lights blinding everyone. He pulls onto Hanson Avenue and takes a left into the parking lot. He exits his car and ducks under the police tape. He is immediately met by Brett, who is holding his arm out, stopping Allan from continuing. And with a brave squeaky voice, he says, "Hey, let me through, this is my The Donut Hole store," as he tries to get past Brett. Brett can't help but laugh, still holding Allan back with just his arm. Allan shouts for Evan, but his voice isn't loud enough to carry over the chaos. "Listen, bub," Allan says, looking up at Brett. "Sheriff Evan called me at home and asked me to get down here...so let me go, you damn sasquatch," Allan screamed.

Brett hollers over to Evan, "Sheriff, did you call this girl-scout down here?" Brett asks with a huge grin. He is enjoying torturing this tiny man. "Is he, Allan?" Evans asks, screaming over. Evan looks and is humored by the small man, thinking he's a teenager.

"Brett hollers back, "Yeah, that's what he said. Should I take his word for it?" he asked, laughing.

"Check his I.D. let's be sure," Evan said. Evan knows it has to be him. A tiny, scrawny guy with a button-up-shirt, light-color-khakis, and a crew-cut. Pretty obvious. Besides, he is wearing a The Donut Hole hat after all. Brett asks to see Allan's I.D., and he obliges, "Here you go. See, that is me. I'm Allan. I am the manager of this store. Are you satisfied now?" Allan asks. He is so frustrated and feels as though he is being toyed with or made fun of.

Brett puts his arm down and allows Allan to pass. As Allan walks away, Brett turns around and says, "You're welcome, you little shit." Allan doesn't even stop to look back. He keeps walking over to Evan. Evan is still talking with Ben, trying to figure things out. When Allan walks up to them, he tugs on Ben's shirt, "Hey, I'm Allan." Ben looks down at Allan and says, "Do you want a fucking medal?" Ben asks sarcastically. Allan has a surprised look on his face and steps back, "Are you, Sheriff Evan?" Allan asks fearfully with a slight quiver to his voice.

Ben turns and looks at Allan, "No! now leave me the fuck alone, kid." Allan's body sinks. He was instantly reminded of how he was treated in high school. He was not a popular kid at all. His perfectly pleated blue-jeans, a plaid button-up shirt, and white-generic-sneakers made him one of the nerdiest kids in school. And the glasses he wore in high school made him look like a mad scientist.