“And welcome to the end of the world shopping center, for all your last minute needs!”
“Umm, thanks. Uhh, wait… What?” Shavian said. She wasn’t listening though; she was still marveling at the sheer size of what these people had accomplished.
They were standing in the courtyard entrance of the Boyed Mall. Around them they had fenced off nearly four city blocks that encompassed the mall, the Clear Cut hotel and the small park next door.
“I can see you’re still surprised.” the woman guard at the front said and pulled open the door.
“Yeah, some, I just don’t see how you got all this done in just a few days.” Shavian said stepping from foot to foot.
They’d had to leave their weapons in the van: this time the cop excuse didn’t work.
“It kind of amazing isn’t it?” the guard said and smiled knowingly. “Ready to shop?”
Shavian was all but salivating, but she could tell the rest of the crew wasn’t as gung-ho as she was. But they too were ready to get clean, in non-ripped and bloody clothes. Stepping through the door, it was almost like she was home for a moment. With the power still on, the elevator music was playing.
“Once you’ve found what you want, bring it here to the bartering tables and we can talk shop,” the guard said, not able to hold back a smile as Shavian squealed with delight.
Higgins looked up at the skylight, squinting. “Hour,” he said and headed off for the sporting goods store. Looking between Shavian and Higgins, Roger tipped a pretend hat to her and then moved to follow Higgins, Aubrey following after.
Junie said nothing and headed for the food court, more than likely looking for the coffee stand, Fipps following after.
That left Elliott looking indecisive.
Rolling her eyes, Shavian walked back over him and nodded to Junie and Fipps’ shrinking backs. “You really going to let them go?”
“What?” Elliott seemed to snap out of his stupor. “ Sure, I mean they should be back in a hour.”
She was really having a hard time pinning down what he was thinking, ever. He just didn’t have normal guy thoughts.
Taking him by the elbow she pulled him along, “Come on, let’s at least get you in something that doesn’t make you look like you’ve been through a butcher shop explosion.” As she took his arm she could feel him stiffen up. “You know, you should relax. What has you so tense?”
“Huh? What?” he shook his head. “Oh, nothing.” He tried to loosen up, but the tension was still there at the edges.
“I’m never able to get you, Elliott,” Shavian said, their voices echoing in the empty darkened hallways along with their footsteps. From time to time others passed by looking suspiciously at them.
“W-What do you mean?”
“Once minute you kidnap me, then when we lose Junie you have eyes for no one else. Now she’s back and you don’t seem to care at all,” she said looking up, anywhere but at him.
“She’s safe now? Why would I keep being worried?” Elliott said, looking confused.
“Because you like her?” she said.
“Sure, she’s my best friend,” he said.
“That you want to date.” Shavian was tired of beating around the bush about this one.
He stopped walking and her arm slipped free as she turned to face him in the hallway. He had a sudden look of realization on his face. “Shavian, Junie is my friend. But it’s not like that… I don’t even think she’s interested in anything other than her coffee.”
“Then what was with the whole panic act when Junie was missing?” she said.
“Because she was in trouble,” Elliott said puffing out his chest.
“You don’t really think that Junie was in trouble did you? Did you see the way she handled that police station? The only person in trouble would be the person that would stand between her and her coffee,” she said and crossed her arms.
“Yeah, well, ahh. We didn’t know that,” he said.
“Elliott,” she said with a smile, “I think you have a hero complex.”
“I do not!” he said at once.
“Why did you kidnap me then?”
“Because I wanted you to be safe.”
“You totally have a complex.” She said cocking a hip.
“I don’t!”
“Well, at least you have your heart in the right place… I guess, I mean other than the drugging and taking of girls.”
He started to protest again and she waved it off. “Come on hero, let’s see if we can find something in your size.”