Finding Jack

Chapter 1: The Marlow's

                                Krystal Marlow POV

    "IF YOU GUYS WANT BREAKFAST YOU GOTTA BE UP IN TIME TO EAT IT!" I shout to the night owls I have for a family. Out of two kids they both took after there father, at least personality wise, thank God for my good looks kicking in though.

      "Morning Mama" my 13 year old Jacky says to me as he drags in snatching a piece of my bacon off of my plate.

   "Well, it would be a good one if you'd handle that hot morning breath of yours before you go breathing in my face and stealing my bacon" I say through a mug then a chuckling to myself.

    "Oh, you mean thiiisss breeeaaath" he says as he gets closer to my nose. I look at him with my face scrunched up before I decide to go at him, but him being too quick to catch while he laughs dropping the bacon he stole. I smile pleased with the instant karma he'd gotten.

    We both turn almost breaking our necks as my 8-year-old Emily skips in with her hair looking like she slept upside down. The mess on her head saving me from passing out from the mess coming out of Jacky's mouth.

   "Ooouuu Emily, that hurt?" Jacky says as he points to my babies tangled mess.

    While sticking her tongue out and rolling her eyes "Daddy says it has character!"

   As if on que John chimes in saying "That's right baby" shaking his head while looking at her hair from behind her.

    "Well I hope that character comes with a comb" Jack says as he cracks up at his own joke.

   "Boy leave my baby alone, you shouldn't be talking beedy bee's" Johns says flicking Jack's forehead.

"Come on baby lets turn this character into a model" I say guiding her to the bathroom. "We'll leave beedy bee's and baldy to themselves" I laugh seeing my husband mug me.

     When finishing Emily's hair we wrap up breakfast and head out to face the very busy day ahead.

                                              -

  *Ding* the ring from the pharmacy's door went off as I walked in.

  "Good morning, Mark, I hope it wasn't too much trouble opening by yourself". I say to my assistant manager Mark AKA my bestfriend of 17 years. Mark was the kind of guy you could depend on no matter the situation. He was always honest and straight to the point. Some call it rude, he calls it "HONESTY FO YO ASS!" He can definitely be a wild card even for a 35 yr old. We met through a colleague of mine that he was dating at the time by the name of David. Together we busted David cheating and have been besties ever since.

   "Girl you know I got you, anything for you and my God babies, how are they doing anyway?" Mark knew I'd be running a little late because of my little night owls and Emily's catastrophe.

    "They're fine, Jacky's growing taller and even more handsome every day, and Emily is looking more and more like her gorgeous mother". I say while flipping my hair and batting my eyes trying to hold in my laughter.

      "You can come back now" Mark says as he stales faces me before busting into laughter. "Girl you know you're absolutely stunning best babe". He says when seeing the look, I was giving him, calling me the nickname he gave me 6 years ago I hated it but have grown to love.

      *DING* The door sounded interrupting our bestie moment causing me to turn my head in its direction. Soon getting an alarming feeling looking at the familiar male coming in. Wearing jean pants with a rip by the knee, black shirt, and black work boots. The same guy for about a week now has come in around the same time almost everyday. Mark insisted on the cops, I informed him the only crime the man has committed is buying too many cough drops and reading magazines and never buying them.

"Good morning, sir, how can I help you?" I ask through the forced smile only to receive a cold glare. Mark rolled his eyes while proceeding to sort pills.

   The visit from the guy was different today, he'd only stayed about 5 minutes and purchased nothing. I couldn't shake this worrisome feeling I was getting in my stomach seeing him leave and then turn just before exiting to wave with a cheeky smile saying bye to Mark and I. We both looked at each other because he'd never said anything to us before.

   "I told you we should've called the police on his creepy ass" Mark says watching him leave.

   I laugh just wanting to get through the rest of the day.

                                                                                       -

"ALRIGHT BEST BABE I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW!" Mark yells as he leaves the store.

It is now 9:30 and we close at 10pm instead of 11pm on Mondays. I agreed to let Mark go early since he opened by himself. I spent the next 30min organizing files and new medicines so we could be ahead tomorrow when interrupted by what seemed to be the 500th ding today.

    *DING* Following with the creepy guy from earlier, instantly making the hairs on my neck stand up. He appears to be drunk as he staggers through the aisle, I don't want to say anything because I'd rather he just leave.

 
"I don't get a good evening?" The tall white man slurred ending with a chuckle.

"How can I help you?" I ask almost too quick, remembering the silent alarm and pressing the button under the desk.

Almost instantly the guy replies with "The money"

"Excuse m-"

"THE FUCKING MONEY!!" He screams toward me pulling out a smith and wesson aiming it directly at me.

Stumbling back, I type the codes in to unlock the register.
"P-p-please don't shoot" I say through a shaky voice, daring my tears to fall.

"HURRY THE FUCK UP THEN!!" He screams at the top of his lungs waving his gun.

"I'VE ALREADY ALERTED THE POLICE!" I shout more so out of fear than bravery. "IF YOU LEAVE NOW I PROMISE THIS WONT COME BACK ON YOU!"

"Wrong fucking move bitch" he says in the coldest tone I've ever heard. I drift off a bit thinking of my family, my wonderful husband, my babies. The piercing sound of a gun cocking pulled me back to my now.

Snatching the bag of money from me within an instant doubling back shooting me once in the stomach, and once in the leg. Running out and disappearing through an old alley. Leaving me to fight for my life. Feeling my blood soak my pharmacy jacket as I try and strain for my next breath. But this is it, I feel it. God, please keep my babies..

*POLICE SIRENS SOUNDING IN THE DISTANCE*

"CODE 0-6-3-1, REPEAT CODE 0-6-3-1, WE NEED AN AMBULANCE!!" The woman officer shouts. "We have a code blue!"

____I know I know, why did she have to go 🥺. I wanted to you guys to get to know a little about Krystals personality before killing her off, as you know the story is about mostly Jack but there are other important pieces to him and who he is/becomes that you'll need. PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE COMMENTS!