I sat perfectly still in the back seat, the fear of the whole situation paralyzing me.

Sure, Connie said she wouldn't kill me, but I wasn't to sure about Cindy.

Speaking of, they've been arguing for the last ten minutes.

"... I told you, no one gets killed. We grab the money then we go." Connie said.

Cindy scoffed. "That asshole treated us like shit for three long years. He deserved what he got."

Connie shook her head and folded her arms over her chest, staring out the window.

I could see a couple tears in her eyes.

After an hour or two of silence, I finally built up enough courage to speak.

"W-where, Uh... where are we headed?" I asked nervously.

"California." Connie replied.

Cindy threw her arms up in annoyance. "Not only does she know us, but now she knows where we're going. Real smart thinking. I say we pull over here and finish her off, we don't need her anymore."

Fear started to spread through my body once again.

"No. No more killing... we'll drop her off along the way. Alive." Connie said.

Cindy just shook her head.

I leaned back in my seat and glanced at the book bag.

Without thinking, I grabbed it and unzipped the pocket. To my surprise, it was filled with cash.

"Jesus, there's no way you got all this money from just one gas station." I said.

Cindy slammed on the brakes and turned on me. "Drop it."

I quickly set the bag down and just as I did, she pulled her gun and pointed it right between my eyes.

"Knock it off, Cindy." Connie said.

She put her hand up, stopping Connie from continuing. "Listen close, I don't like you, I don't like that you're here and I definitely don't like that you're still breathing. You're a risk to my freedom and I don't like it... But, Connie's like a sister to me and if she wants you alive, then so be it. But, that doesn't mean I'm gonna put up with any shit, understand?"

I quickly nodded my head.

"Good..." Then she leaned close, whispering in my ear. "... But, if I even think you're up to no good, I'll blow your brains out and there isn't shit Connie can do about that, got it?"

I nodded again.

She gave me one last look before turning back around and driving off.

So, I sat in silence, staring out the window.

Connie might have helped rob the place, but she wasn't trigger happy like Cindy. I trusted Connie. Cindy scared me though, she was a wild card, unpredictable, and she might kill me just for looking at her the wrong way. So, I decided to stay quiet, I wouldn't move or make a sound. I'd just patiently wait until they dropped me off and after that... well, I wasn't really sure yet...

   The sun started to set as we pulled into a gas station in the middle of nowhere.

   Cindy got out and headed for the pump, while Connie turned to me.

   "Come with me."

   I nodded before following her out of the car and inside the small gas station.

   A woman stood behind the counter, staring mindlessly at the TV.

   "Excuse me?" Connie asked.

   The woman turned towards us. "What can I do for you?"

   "Twenty on pump three." Connie said, placing a bill on the counter.

   The woman nodded as she snatched the twenty.

   Just as we were getting ready to leave, the TV caught our attention.

   "In breaking news, we have a missing girl that disappeared on her walk home from school today."

   Connie and I glanced at each other before turning towards the TV.

   "Eighteen year old, Briar, was reported missing when she didn't return from school today. If you have any information please call our news station hotline." The reporter finished.

   The woman shook her head, seemingly in disbelief. "This world's turning to shit."

   Before we could sneak out, a picture of me flashed on the TV.

   Connie and I froze as the woman turned on us.

   "Hey, you're that missing girl-" The woman started, but was cut off by the sound of the door opening.

   Cindy walked in, gun raised. "Don't move, or I'll fill your ass with lead."

   The woman stood frozen, her arms still at her sides, obscured by the counter.

   "Show me your hands." Cindy said, stepping closer.

   Suddenly, the front of the counter exploded out, Cindy collapsing to the floor.

   My ears started ringing, blood spurting from Cindy's hip, Connie Raising her hands.

   I covered my ears as the woman drew a sawed-off, double barreled shotgun, pointing it directly at Connie.

   She looked to me, trying to say something, but I couldn't hear her, the ringing still hadn't faded.

   Then, the back of the woman's head exploded in a puff of red mist, her body hitting the floor like a ton of bricks.

   I turned, seeing Cindy getting to her feet, pistol trained at the counter, blood pouring down her leg.

   Connie stood in front of me then, her words becoming more clear. "Are you ok?"

   I just nodded, unable to comprehend the violence I just witnessed.

   Cindy stepped behind the counter, popping open the cash register. "Connie, get the car filled up. Briar, get the cash."

   I looked to Connie then. She rested a hand on my shoulder. "Just... Do what she says..."

   Then, she stepped outside and I turned my attention to Cindy. She grabbed the woman's shotgun and pointed it at me. "The money, now."

   I hesitantly made my way behind the counter, keeping my eyes in front of me, trying to ignore the body and puddle of blood at my feet.

   Cindy handed me a plastic bag before grabbing a box of shotgun shells from under the counter and heading outside.

  I looked down into the cash register. Stacks of bills looked back up at me. Daring me to take them. Begging me.

   That's when I felt it. The rush of adrenaline. The shortness of breath. The desire to hold all that cash in my hands.

   And, without anymore hesitation, I grabbed every bill from the drawer...