Page 13 of The Runaway Bride

“Okay, I have to go, but you bewatchful, take care and know I love you.” I hear someone speak in thebackground as Alex cuts the call, and I sigh because I’d like nothing more thanto hug my brother.

“Everything okay, Elli?” Tiaasks, bringing me back to the moment.

“Yeah, that was my brother, well,our brother. He was informing me that my father is dead.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Elli.”

“Well, I’m not. He was a totalbastard, and the world is much better off without him in it.” Tia looks shockedfor a moment, then smirks when she sees how fierce my look is, right before Ismirk along with her. “Can you imagine it, Tia? The shock when my father meetsthe Devil? I hope it’s as hot as we are told in the Devil’s underworld, and myfather has to stoke the fire.”

We giggle and throw ideas of howmy father could suffer alongside the devil as we head to the hairdressers. Shewas supposed to come to me, but had something happen so we have to go to thesalon instead. I’m not sure I’m all that happy with the change, but I want itdone, and quickly so this is the option I have open to me.

Four hours later and with a lotless hair, I stand in front of the mirror in the salon, looking from right toleft at my profile. The best that I can, anyway. My hair reaches my shoulderblades instead of my waist. The color has gone from a mediocre brown to agolden brown with highlights that shimmer throughout. It has natural waves, sowe did not need to do any treatments. I turn to look at Amanda and give her ahuge smile. “I love it, love it, love it.”

Tia and Amanda giggle at myenthusiasm. Tia then launches forward to hug me, “You look amazing.”

“Thank you so much. I love it andit’s so much lighter, although it’s still long.” I look out the window as amovement catches my eye. Across the street from the salon is a man all inblack, leaning against the shop wall, watching the salon. “Tia, see acrossthere? Someone again watching. Do you have a back exit, Amanda?”

Running back to my apartmentafter leaving the salon by the back entrance door, we laugh at leaving the manbehind. I had tucked my hair under my hoodie, trying to disguise myself toattract as little attention as possible.

Sitting with a cold drink, Ismile at Tia. “Well, hair done. That’s one thing ticked off the list. Whatabout the weapons?”

“I’ll go see Spinner after I’vehad this drink. Then I’m going to work. I’m about ready to kick this job, to behonest. The asshole in charge is a creep and if he tries to touch my ass onemore time, I’ll slap him like he’s the dirty sleaze he is.” Tia scrunches hernose up, and I can’t stop the giggle.

“You could run that place on yourown, Tia.”

“I know, but I don’t want to workin a shoe shop forever. It’s a decent job with being clean, and regular hours.But with that asshole, there is no chance of promotion. Which of course wouldmean staying on minimum wage forever.” Tia finishes her drink and rinses hercup, along with mine.

“If we run, you’ll be leaving himin the shit. Now, wouldn’t that be something?” I ask, and I can see the momentthe lightbulb comes on and she giggles.

My phone rings and picking it upwhen I see Orsen’s number. What the heck does my boss want?

“Hello…”

Before I can say more Orsenspeaks, and he sounds like he’s in a mess. “Elli, you can’t come to worktonight. One of the fucking appliances blew up and caused a small fire behindit. We have to get it cleaned up, freshened up, and a new appliance. No staffcan come into work until it’s done and approved. The restaurant, of course, isclosed until it’s done too.”

“What appliance was it?”

“The deep fryer. I’m justrelieved the oil wasn’t hot enough to catch fire too. But the damn back of thefryer is a mess. Anyway, I’ll call you when I want you back at work, but Ithink we’ll have this done in 48 hours. The owner won’t want it closed longerthan that.” Orsen closes the call before I can say another word and I blink afew times before placing my phone down and considering what I can do thisevening.

Looking around my smallapartment, I decide to clean and check my backpack. It’s no good me warning Tiato be ready and then not be ready myself.

Later, I’m serving meatballs andspaghetti onto plates for myself and Tia and wait for her to finish her outrageabout her handsy boss. “Oh, I’m going to look for another job. I don’t evenwant to go back tomorrow.” Tia slaps her palm on the table, and I can see she’svery worked up at this point.

“Okay, I’m going to put this inthe trash if you don’t stop and eat.” I try to sound firm, but I’m fairlyamused at some of the ways she’d like to make her boss suffer.

“Sorry, Elli. I’m just at the endof my rope with him. He’s an utter pig.”

“Yeah, I get that from whatyou’ve said. I wonder if my place has any vacancies?” I tap my fingers on thetable while I think. But if I’m being honest, I don’t think the kitchen needsany more staff.

Once we’ve eaten and cleaned awaythe dishes, Tia grins and then holds her pointer finger at me. “One minute, I’mgoing to run to my place and be right back.”

Oh, she doesn’t take long beforeshe’s back, locks the door, and slides the bolt across as she rushes to thekitchen table and takes out four knives and three guns.

“I saw Spinner, and I paid himwith my savings after I did him one stinking deal. I had to talk some fancyshit to get the cost down, Elli, but I got us two pocket knives. Now, they aregoing to be great, as Spinner said, in a purse or pocket. The other two knivesare sheath knives and are going to do more damage but I am not sure how we hidethem.” Tia is frowning in concentration, and I’m not going to tell her that Iknow how to handle them, or hide them, as she’s putting in so much effort thatI’ll let her have the win on this. “So, I also got us two Glocks and a SigSauer. I know nothing about guns Elli, so that’s up to you to teach me. But Ican stab anyone that gets near enough so that is not a problem.”

Leading Tia to a seat, I take outmy phone and Google for a picture of the human anatomy. For the next hour, Iteach Tia where to stab and how deep to cause a fatal wound.

I’m not sure Tia is going to begood at killing anyone, as she is looking a little green. I’m not happy abouthaving to do it myself, but if it’s me or them, then I have no issue withsaving myself, Tia, or my brother.

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