Page 10 of Alex

"That was all of the oil. We don’t have any left to cook with."

My eyes open wide. That's impossible. Utterly impossible. We always have oil here. I did need to get to the store for some more but I thought we had at least another five-gallon jug here. We deep fry a lot of our menu items, it’s not the healthiest thing in the world but the kids like it and it's easier for them to hold. We use oil for pretty much everything. There's no way that I would let us run out.

I slide over to the small storage area and open it up. " There has to be one here! I'm sure of it!" I push the few bottles around in a panic as if the oil is going to magically appear.

"All this on the floor was from there. The last one. ” Marisa says.

Fuck, we can't cook without it. If we can't cook we can't make money. If we don't make money, Sara is going to sell back the food truck. The fad is over for her, but it's my life. Until we find enough money to buy her out, I have to make sure that this place stays at least a little profitable. It hasn't been as of late.

"Okay, well I have to go get some. You clean up and I'll run over to the store and pick up enough oil to get us through today.

"Okay, I'll finish the prep too... oh you know what could be a good treat? We could make some arepas. You think you can pick up a small pack of cornmeal?”

"Yum, yes, the kids will like that." I say already grabbing my keys and wallet ready to hop out.

"Okay, well hurry back. You know those little stinky monsters will be here soon. I'm worried." Marisa grumbles and I laugh.

I hop out of the food truck and yank my apron off making sure to wipe off any remaining flour from my person. "I mean it, Laura, I'll hide before I face them alone. " Marisa says to me as I walk away from the food truck.

“I know, I know, I’ll just pick up the oil and cornmeal and come right back.”

I wave back to her and shake my head at the ridiculousness of the situation. The store isn't far from here. I can go the back way and get there faster. Sure, I hate driving on that deserted road but it's better than not being able to get to the store. I hit the small key fob on my car to unlock the doors but it only chirps once letting me know they're already open. I never lock my doors. Someone is going to steal it one day. Not like it’s worth much anyway. I slip into the driver’s seat and I pick my key up to start the car when I feel something jab into my side.

I look behind myself for a second and see a man in my back seat. He's dirty, sweating, and he has a gun. I turn back to face forward in shock until I open my mouth, ready to scream. Before I do, he puts his hand to my mouth. “If you scream, I’ll kill you. Do what I say, and everything will be fine.”

Oh god. Oh god! I'm going to die! oh god!

My heart feels like it's skipping beats in my chest. I'm so scared. I try to breathe but it's hard. My eyes water and I do my best to keep as still as I can. I don't know what he wants. If he wanted the car he could have just stolen it. My life is worth so much more than a triple used car.

Tears stream out of my eyes and I feel him sit up further. My eyes catch his in the rear-view mirror.

“Don’t be afraid. I don’t want to hurt you. Just keep quiet, okay?” He says, his eyes softening with the words.

What? What the hell is he doing in my car if he doesn’t want to hurt me?

I nod just so he can let me go. I'm not going to scream, not while he has that gun. “What… whh... what do you want?” I whisper, my voice getting caught in my throat.

“Just drive. You see those guys searching cars. They’re looking for me. Drive me out of here and I’ll let you go.” He stares at me and for some reason, I can hear the sincerity in his voice. He's not trying to hurt me but he's in trouble. I can understand doing fucked up shit in order to survive.

I look him over again and can see small scrapes on his face and finally I see the way his arms shake. This man is hurt and those guys are looking for him. He's in my car because he's trying to survive. I have to help. I turn the key in the ignition and the car starts up. I drive slowly, not to draw any attention. The man behind me tries to hide, slouching further down but I hear him start to curse softly as we pass one of the men.

"Go, go! Faster. He saw us. He's going to follow you. You have to drive faster!"

" What? Are you sure? They didn't do anything! Are you sure? ” I ask, trying not to panic. Already this good deed is proving to be bad for my health.

"Yes! Fucking drive!" The man screams at me and just as I put my foot down on the accelerator, I hear the sound of a car alarm going off. They’re stealing someone's car to come after this man.

"Look, mister I don't want no trouble, just get out." I speed out of the parking lot and start to turn down towards the main road.

“No! Go the back way, it'll be easier for them to catch you on the main road. I can’t just get out, if they catch you they'll kill both of us. Drive fast. They have a long way to catch up to us and my clubhouse isn't far. I can get us some help and protection there. ” He says quickly.

"Clubhouse? Aye dios. You in a racing club or something? Que mierda!" I slam my hand down on the steering wheel as I push my worn-down car as fast as it will go.

"Motorcycle club. How do you know?" He asks, glaring at me. "My brother was killed in a fucking drag racing club. All of you dumbasses have those fucking clubhouses. So fucking stupid." My skin prickles with sweat and anger.

The man reaches up and grabs my hair causing me to swerve slightly,

“Cuidado con lo que dices" He warns me in my native tongue.