Page 40 of Aydin

Pop!

I stayed down and looked to see what direction the bullet came from.

“Think… Think.”

I decided to jump up and run through the woods because I knew a gas station was on the other side, and I could call the police to come help.

Pop! Popppp!

“Arghhh!” More shots flew over my head. I stood behind a tree to catch my breath and saw a flashlight from behind me. I took off and ran through the woods and across the road toward the gas station and banged on the door.

“Open the door! Please.” I screamed, looking behind me. No one followed me.

“We’re closed,” he yelled.

“Someone’s trying to kill me!” I banged on the door again.

Pop! Poppp!

The door unlocked, and I ran in and locked it behind me

“Where’s the phone? I need to call the police.”

“I don’t want any problems,” he grunted as he picked up the phone and passed it toward me.

I looked at the door and saw a car turn off its lights.

“He’s out there!” I pointed and ran behind the counter and dropped down.

“911, what is your emergency?” the operator picked up.

Breathing heavy, I tried to calm my nerves to get the words out.

“I need the police,” I whispered.

Ratt!!!!

“Ahhhhh!” The store’s glass window broke from more shots.

The owner fell over the counter with a bullet in him.

“Please help me!”

The phone went dead, and the lights went off.

“Amelia!” I opened my eyes and crawled around the counter at the familiar voice, then I saw Nicco at the door. A few seconds later, police sirens sounded as they pulled into the store and ran into his arms.

“Nicco… someone tried to killed me,” I stuttered, and he wrapped his arm around me.

“Shushhh… I’ll take you home.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“Aydin has contacts at the police station because of his brother and they knew to call the office.”

“Where’s Aydin?”

“He’s still in Chicago.”