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I fill the fuel tank and head toward the gas station’s convenience store, a glowing beacon in the desolate night. Artificial light spills from its windows, casting an eerie glow on the otherwise dark surroundings.
As I walk in, the chime above the door jingles, announcing my presence. The shop is empty, except for the bored-looking cashier behind the counter, engrossed in a magazine. I grab some energy drinks and snacks — junk food to keep me awake on the long drive ahead.
I avoid eye contact with the cashier when paying for the gas and purchases. As I turn to leave, he gasps. I glance back at him to find his eyes wide and face pale as he stares at something behind me. I whip around, expecting the worst.
There’s a TV mounted on the wall behind me with the news channel playing silently. My mugshot fills the screen, listed beneath as ‘WANTED.’
For a moment, I consider playing dumb. But as I meet the cashier’s shocked gaze in the reflection of the television screen, I know there’s no point in pretending. The jig is up.
I launch over the counter at him.
He hardly puts up a fight as I punch him hard in the face, knocking him out. Once he’s on the ground, I find something to tie him up with. “Sorry, man, but I’ve got to get away before you ring the police.”
I check his pulse, ensuring he’s only unconscious, not dead. It’s a small mercy. I don’t need to add any more homicides to my charges.
I empty the cash register, grab more snacks, drinks and cigarettes, tossing them into the bag he’d given me for my purchases, and then get out of there.
As I make my way back to the car, I can’t help but glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see red and blue lights piercing the darkness.
My starlight is still dozing, oblivious to the chaos I left behind.
I throw the bag of supplies into the trunk, keeping a Hershey bar and energy drink, before sliding into the driver’s seat. My gaze lingers on Lila for a moment. Her chest rises and falls in a slow, rhythmic pattern, the soft glow of the gas station lights casting a gentle luminescence on her features. It’s a sight that brings an unexpected pang of something.
Ignoring it, I start the car and pull away from the gas station, leaving my mess behind.
Lila stirs beside me, eyes opening. “W-Where are we?” she says, rubbing her eyes.
I smirk at her. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
She sits up straighter, glaring at me. “Why didn’t you take my car and leave me on the side of the road?”
Lila knows nothing about me. She’s unaware that I’m a convict on the run. Unaware that I’m a murderer with no morals.
“Because I needed you, starlight.”
Her eyes flash. “Why do you keep calling me that?”
“Because I’m darkness embodied, and you’re my starlight.”
Lila’s eyes widen, disbelief painted across her soft features. “You’re crazy,” she breathes, leaning away from me.
The car’s confined space becomes heavy with tension. I can’t help but chuckle at her reaction. “Maybe I am,” I counter with a nonchalant shrug. “Maybe I am.”
“What’s your name?” she questions, tilting her head. “You know mine.”
“Ash,” I reply.
“Ash,” she repeats, letting the name roll off her tongue. “Why did you need my car?”
The question hangs in the air between us. I glance at her from the corner of my eye, taking in her curiosity-filled expression.“You really want to know why I needed your car, starlight?” I ask, my voice coming out colder than I intended.
“Yes,” she breathes.
“Because I escaped while they were transferring me from The Metropolitan Correctional Center bound for Menard. I’d been transferred from New York State. It was a piece of cake, to be honest. They need to sort their security out.”
Her face pales. “What did you do?”
I flash her a wicked smile, my eyes glinting in the dim light. “The worst things you can imagine. Things that would make your blood run cold. You see, I don’t play by society’s rules. I create my own rules, and right now, you’re my favorite little toy,” I say.
