Chapter 21 – Mitchell
MITCHELL
My stomach growls, and I reach over to grab one of the sausage rolls I made sure to get when I filled the car up an hour ago.
I’ve just opened it and taken a large bite when my phone rings. After a quick look at the name on the dash, I hit the button on the steering wheel to accept the call. “Hello.”
“Hey, was just checking to see how far away you are.”
“Still got a couple of hours to go. I should be back in time to pick CJ up from school though, if you want?”
“Should be, or will be?” I smile at the question and check over my shoulder for any cars before I merge right, switching lanes to overtake the car in front of me.
“Will be. I’m on the last motorway,” I explain. It’s a long drive from the nearest airport, almost six hours, but I’ll make it.
“Okay.”
“So, what’re your plans for the day?” I ask to fill the silence that follows, not ready to end the call just yet.
“Well, we’re out of cereal and stuff for lunches, so I was thinking of doing a grocery run later.” My brows rise at that and I smile. Normally I’m the one being sent to the shops when it’s only one or two items, not worth doing a full delivery order.
“Depending on when you plan on going, I can grab CJ and meet you there? We can do a full shop if you want?” I suggest, not wanting to make a big deal out of it.
“I’d like that.”
“How are you doing?” I ask, needing to hear it in words, not just read about it in a message.
My question is met with silence, but not an awkward one. It’s the kind of silence you give when you’re seriously considering your answer rather than just blurting out something generic like, ‘I’m fine’.
“Better. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, you know?” I don’t. Not really, I’ve seen some of the worst humanity has to offer over the years, but I’ve been fortunate enough to never have experienced it for myself.
“I’m proud of you,” I say instead of offering some empty platitude by implying I do know.
“Thank you…You know I appreciate you, right? I don’t say that enough, but I do.”
“I know.”
“I mean it. You’ve helped me so much.”
“I’ll always help you.” I hear the sound of the washing machine running in the background as we continue to talk, catching up on what we’ve missed with each other whilst I’ve been out of the country.
Spotting a breakdown up ahead, I put my indicator on. “Hey, I’m gonna have to call you back. Looks like a couple of out of towners have broken down on the motorway,” I explain, slowing the car so I can pull over.
“Ooh, before or after the no more fuel sign?”
“After. By like an hour.”
“Rough. City folk?”
“Looks like.”
“Well, you have fun with that.”
“Yeah. Call you when I’m closer to town.
” I hang up the phone, stopping my car behind theirs.
They’re both sitting on what looks like the spare tire, hunched over themselves and looking at something in their hands – a phone if I had to guess.
They’re completely absorbed in whatever is on it that they haven’t noticed I’ve pulled up behind them.
Getting out of the car, I half slam the door shut behind me and still, neither acknowledges that they’re no longer alone. I shake my head, my eyes stalling when I get a look at their vehicle, before zeroing in on the flat tire still attached.
My irritation grows to anger with every step I take toward them that they still don’t notice me. They’re in the middle of nowhere, clearly not from around here, and they have zero awareness of their surroundings.
I could be anyone sneaking up on them. I could have a knife in my pocket – I do have a knife in my pocket. I could easily kill or leave them stranded while I steal their shit and no one would know. Fuck, they wouldn’t even know.
Fucking idiots.
I’m literally standing behind them, my shadow casting over their backs and nothing. They don’t even twitch. Leaning over, I check to see what’s so fascinating on their phone and snort.
That gets their attention.
They both jump pretty high, and if I wasn’t pissed I’d probably laugh.
One lands on his arse, his phone flying out of his hand to land right at my foot.
The other whips around with wide eyes as he takes a cautionary step away from me, only realising the potential danger they could have put themselves in.
He continues to step back, not realising his mate is on the ground directly behind him. I could warn him, but I don’t. I don’t say anything. Don’t so much as react, and sure enough he trips over his mate’s body, landing flat on his arse next to him.
Serves him right.
Bending down, I pick up the discarded phone and pause the video they were watching. “Really?” I say, indicating the phone, trying to keep my amusement from my face and voice because I’m still pissed.
“We tried calling NRMA. They said they don’t come out this far,” one of them mumbles, his cheeks and ears turning pink with what I’m assuming is embarrassment. Good.
“Yeah, no kidding. Did your dads never show you how to change a tire?” I ask, my question having two very different reactions.
The one with dark hair, a light stubble and muddy brown eyes winces so hard it’s almost a flinch. The other one just blushes. His light blue eyes stay glued to me, but I can tell he’s intimidated by my large stature, unsure whether I’m a threat or not. To be honest, that remains to be seen.
“They did. I just apparently wasn’t paying attention,” he mumbles, finally breaking eye contact to check on his friend.
“Let me guess, head stuck in your phone?” I tease, tossing the phone into his lap, enjoying his blush spreading down his neck as his embarrassment grows.
“No,” he snaps back. “Didn’t yours ever tell you it’s rude to sneak up on people?”
“Mm, except I didn’t. You two had your heads so far up your arse watching your little how-to video, that you didn’t hear me pull up.
Or slam the door. And I wasn’t exactly quiet walking over here either.
You should really pay attention to your surroundings.
” I don’t wait for a response, simply picking their spare up and walking it over to their vehicle.
“We’re in the middle of nowhere. There’s no one around.”
“I’m around,” I point out, placing the tire down closer to the flat and walk off to my car. The two of them continue whispering to each other, but I don’t bother trying to work out what they’re saying.
Opening my boot, I pull up the carpet and grab the jack and tire iron out, closing it behind me. Their words stop as soon as I walk closer, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
They both swallow and give the tire iron in my hand a nervous glance. This is probably the point where I should offer some small talk or some shit to reassure them I’m not about to kill them and steal their shit…but I don’t.
Let them be scared of the stranger who they’re alone with. With no witnesses around. Maybe it'll teach them a lesson. Like learn how to change a fucking tire and be aware of your surroundings.
I quickly swap out the flat with the spare, eyeing their paintwork before I shake my head, gather my shit and head back to my car without saying another word.
I chuck the jack and tire iron back in the boot then I get back behind the wheel, check for any cars and drive off without another word to either of them.
All the while, they just stand there watching me with a dumbfounded look on their face, watching me go.
Idiots.
“Mitchie!” The front door opens and closes as CJ climbs into the car.
“How many times have I told you not to call me that?” I ask half-heartedly with a smile.
If it were anyone else calling me that…but this kid could get away with murder. Probably by employing me to dispose of the body. I swear, for such a tiny finger; she has me so far wrapped around it, that I probably wouldn’t even blink at the request.
“You loooove it.” Rolling my eyes, I shake my head but turn when I hear the click of the seatbelt engaging.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Going home, duh.”
“Not in the front seat, you’re not.”
“Oh, come on. Mum’s not here! Pleeeeease.”
“You know the rules. Not ‘till the seatbelt doesn’t touch your neck when it’s buckled in.”
“It doesn’t. Look!”
“Subtlety ain’t your strong suit kid,” I point out, nodding to the little fistful of seatbelt she’s gripping in her hand. “Backseat.”
“Ugh, fiiiine.” CJ lets out an overly dramatic sigh and climbs over the centre console into the back.
“Better. How was school?”
“It was great! I made a new friend-” My phone ringing cuts off the story and seeing who it is I turn in my seat.
“It’s your mum,” I explain before answering the call.
“Mum! I made a friend today!”
“That’s nice sweetie. You’ll have to tell me all about it when we get home.” Hearing the tremble in her voice, I quickly disconnect the phone from the car speaker and hold it up to my ear.
“What’s wrong?” I watch CJ in the rearview, keeping my voice low.
“I-I think someone is following me.” The words send a chill down my spine, and I quickly wedge the phone between my ear and shoulder, freeing my hands so that I can put the car into gear.
“Where are you?” I don’t bother asking her if she’s sure, I wouldn’t insult her like that.
“Still at the shops.”
“Okay, I’m two minutes away. I need you to go to the checkouts. If there’s a line – get in it. The longer the better. When I tell you to, I want you to leave the trolley where it is and run outside.”
“Outside?” she squeaks, and I put my indicator on before taking the next right.
“Yes. I want you to run into the alley. The one between the corner shop and the florist, got it?”
“Don’t they tell you to avoid alleyways when you’re being followed?” she tries to joke, but I hear the fear in her voice.
“Yes they do,” I say, my eyes connecting briefly with CJ’s in the mirror before I refocus on the road in front of me. “Because you never know who will be waiting for you in them. You do."
“Okay,” she answers immediately, trusting me to keep her safe.
Less than two minutes later, I’m pulling up in front of the florist. I chuck the car in park, switch the ignition off and turn to face CJ. “Alright, we’ve practiced this before, kiddo. Stay in the car and stay low, got it?”
“Yes, Mitchie.” I don’t comment on the nickname this time, opening the glove box and pulling out the lockbox I keep my firearm in. Entering the code, it unlocks, and I waste no time loading my gun, keeping it out of sight so CJ doesn’t see. “Stay in the car,” I repeat before getting out.
I shut and lock the door behind me, waiting for CJ to climb into the footwell before I take off into the alley. “You still with me?”
“Yes. I’m next in line at the checkout.”
“Good. Now.”
“Now?”
“Now, Marissa. Run.” Pulling my gun out, I hold it up and wait. I don’t have to wait long, the door to the shop she’s in is right next to the alley and a few seconds later, Marissa comes into view. Her eyes widen when she sees me, but she doesn't stop, running passed me.
I don’t turn to check on her, keeping my focus on the corner. Sure enough, a few seconds after her, I hear heavy footsteps, and her pursuer rounds the corner, pulling up short when he sees the gun in my hand.