Kris

I walked for a few hours. It felt as though I was finally getting somewhere, but I couldn't be sure. I had no idea where I was. I wandered around helplessly, confused and lost. At this point I couldn't even go back to Beth and Lanie's. Utterly lost, I sat down on the curb of the road.

I closed my eyes and tried to imagine that I was still in the police car. I tried to pick up and kind of landmark I could use to figure out where I was going, but to no avail. I felt a raindrop fall into my cheek and opened my eyes in surprise. A few seconds later, it started downpouring. I stood up and rushed to the nearest building, a 7/11.

I pulled the door open and ran into someone on their way out. They shook their fist at me as I pushed past. The cashier looked up at me and nodded. I looked around and realized that I was alone in the building.

"Escaping the rain, huh?" the cashier asked.

"Yeah, something like that," I replied. "Uh, this is gonna sound really stupid but what town are we in?"

"Not the weirdest thing I've been asked today," she laughed. "We're the last bit of civilization before the nightmare that is Middleville, but we're still labelled under Middleville."

"Oh, thanks. Do you have a map?"

"Yeah, they're over there." She pointed to a display in the corner.

"Thanks." I wandered over and grabbed one.

"Well, this storm is probably gonna take a while to clear up, so you might as well get comfy. I'm almost on break, so you want a slurpee? On me, of course," the cashier asked me.

"Oh, that's fine, you don't have to -"

"No, I insist." She came out from behind the register and filled up two large slurpees with cherry. She handed me one. "Cherry is okay, right?"

"Yeah, thank you."

"No problem. So, tell me why you're here."

"Well... I dunno. It's a long ass story and I dunno if I really wanna explain..."

"Well, if you want to, I'm willing to listen. I've had people saying boring shit to me all day, it'd be refreshing to hear something that's actually entertaining for once."

"Heh... Well, I guess it couldn't hurt... But it's gonna sound absolutely crazy."

"Kid, I work at a 7/11. I can guarantee that I've heard crazier shit."

"Alright, I guess..." I hesitantly began to tell her my story. She was an amazing listener and didn't flinch or call me insane even once. She seemed genuinely interested and invested in the story. Once I finished, she stayed quiet for a few seconds.

"Wow," she breathed. "That's some crazy ass shit."

"Yeah, sorry..."

"No, don't apologize! That was awesome! Now I wanna help you..."

"You mean you actually believe me?!"

"Yeah, of course! I could tell that you weren't making it up. You're a great story teller."

My face flushed a little. "T-thanks, I guess."

"Where was it you said you needed to go?"

"Hometown. That's where my friends are."

"Alright, bet. I could drive you if you want, it'd be a lot quicker and easier for you than walking."

I hesitated. I didn't even know this girl's name, and I had only talked to her once. But looking at her, she seemed harmless and well meaning, and she seemed to be younger than me. And she had a point, driving would be better. I have way. "Thank you, that's very kind of you."

"Great, just let me pull up front," she said. She ran out the door. Soon enough, she appeared in front of the store and opened up her side door. I climbed in and smiled at her thankfully.

And that's how I got kidnapped by a 7/11 cashier.

~~~~~~~~~~

This chapter was really fun to write lmao

Sorry I haven't been updating. I'm a bad author. I hope I'll be able to update more often now that I've got back most of my inspiration.