Phantom

Backpacks and Gas Stations

Chapter 13: Backpacks and Gas Stations

Figuring that the police would be here any second, I quickly fixed the gas station, and sat the dead clerk in his chair behind the counter. I also destroyed the security cameras and their footage; all with my powers, and all in a matter of seconds. Just then, four big, intimidating cops walked in. They looked like the kind of officers that would give you a ticket, even though you had a flawless driving record; and all the while they're sitting drinking strong coffee and eating donuts.

"What's going on in here?"

The officer that spoke came closer to me, and stood with his hands on his hips. Mu suspicions were confirmed- I could smell the coffee, and see sprinkles on his jackets sleeves.

I responded as well and as quickly as possible.

"Oh, officers, thank goodness you're here. I walked in to get a bottle of water, but the clerk's not responding, I think he might be dead! I'm sorry I didn't know what else to do."

I tried my best not to start laughing hysterically. Luckily, I was able to hold in my sarcasm enough to make my soppy story believable. The three other cops rushed over to the dead mans side and began to check for a pulse.

"That's fine ma'am, you did the right thing. Are you sure that's all that happened? Your clothes are very tattered... and dirty... seems kinda suspicious, don't you think?"

"Yes, I'm sure it probably does. It's just that... well, my whole family is in a pretty rough state, my dad just lost his job and... I have younger siblings. That need better clothes than this..."

He cleared his throat an shuffled his feet while I spoke, obviously uncomfortable for making me; this poor girl with a family in poverty, explain why she was a mess. All after he had just walked in on a dead man. It was wonderful.

"I'm very sorry to hear that... very sorry, but until we have a doctor look at him, you must be a suspect, I'm sorry."

I was very proud of my quick thinking, and sat back an watched the cops endure my handiwork. I was even managing to shed some tears. After the doctor confirmed that the clerk had died of "natural causes," the police men told me I was free to go.

***

I walked outside and stepped into the heavy rain. The rain managed to rinse the soot of my clothes and body. That was when I realized I had a backpack on. Surprised, I took it off and rummaged around. I unzipped the main pocket, and found the suit that I had been wearing when I was on the television. I moved onto the front pocket, and there I found $300 bound by a rubber band. Elated I took it out, only to find a small note attached.

"I know that this will never make up for what I did, but it's a start. - J.E"

***

I quickly folded the note and shoved it deep down in my backpack, flung it onto my back, and headed to the nearest clothes store. I know that whoever that note came from knew me before I forgot everything from my past. As much as I wanted to find this person, I knew that whatever they did was bad enough to have to pay me three hundred dollars, and apparently that wasn't enough. So I figured that I would just drop it and start over. Trying to remember my past was nauseating anyway.

I purchased one decent outfit (after getting multiple strange looks from the sales clerk,) and got a meal from a fast food restaurant. I played it cheap because this was the only money I was going to have for awhile. For the next few months, I was just wondering around aimlessly. The only things I know about my current situation is that I was in New York, I used to be a super hero, and I knew someone by the initials of J.E. I had a strange past to uncover, that's for sure.

{Hello faithful readers! Thanks for sticking around for 13 chapters! The end is nearing for the first part of the Phantom's story, so be prepared for part two! I expect it to be like 100x better than this part. (Not that you shouldn't like the first part but, you know.) So be looking out for a new part coming soon! Happy reading!:) }