So...We Don't Stop Here?

Will stepped into the van and grasped the door. "Looks like a science lab," he said. The van smelled like ammonia on the inside, and it was rusty on the outside. The tires seemed deflated, but they weren't flat.

"This feels like a pedo van," Jade said, looking around in awe.

"But it isn't," Will said, examining a flask in the portable lab. The flasks were dirty, and they had visible fingerprints. The whole experimental area was a mess, but the flasks were standing upright.

"Jade, look at this," Will said. Jade walked over and Will showed her the impeccable similarities in the blueprints.

"I found this in the firs car I stole. It was in a seat that I had cut open. I found the blueprint, and it confused me for a second, but then I realized what it was. This liquid... can enhance your senses." he said.

"What do you mean?" Jade said, confused.

"I mean, that this liquid," he said, pointing to a flask held up by a metal tool.

"Can make you see better, hear better, smell better, feel... better, and maybe even taste better." he said.

"Woah... we should leave it," Jade said sarcastically.

"This is a scientific wonder, we can't just leave this," Will said, frustratingly.

"The people who are after it have the same mindset as you. Now let's go." Jade said. She stepped out of the van.

"I don't care, we need the-" he nearly finished when...

"William! Get out of the van." Jade said. She pulled her gun out and pointed it at Will.

He stepped out and slammed the door to the van. "Fine," he groaned. They walked over to the four-seater and opened the doors. They drove off and didn't speak.

VRROOMM!

Leaves flew behind them as they passed the rural houses of Washington state. The car was going at a constant rapid pace. "Do want some coffee?" Jade mumbled.

Will had his hoodie over his head and he stared out the window as melancholy filled the car. "Sure," he said, with his head leaning on his hand.

"Olympia is coming up," Jade said, trying to make conversation.

"That's amazing, no one knew I didn't care," Will said sarcastically.

"Whatever, crippling depression," Jade said. The rest of the ride to coffee... was silent.

They stopped at a Pancake House near Chehalis, Washington. The place looked old and run down. The 'h' in 'House' was tilted and lights flickered. It was early morning, so the restaurant had just opened.

They walked in and sat down at the bar.

"Can I have two black coffees, please?" Jade said, holding up two fingers.

The server nodded back and began making their coffee. She was an elderly woman with brown hair and no grey strands in her late 50s. She had an apron on and a slim build.

Will looked back at Jade and said, "I don't like black coffee. It leaves such a weird aftertaste."

"What do you mean, you 'don't like black coffee'? Every guy likes black coffee." Jade said.

He was about to say something, but he didn't because he knew it would mess this up.

"Well... I'm not like 'other guys'. I like sweet coffee. Can I have five sugars and three cremes in one of those, please?" he said to Jade and then the server.

Jade smiled, but hid it from Will. "You act like yourself around me," Jade mumbled. "What?" Will said. He hadn't heard what she said.

"Nothing," she said.

The server had come with their coffee.

"Thank you," the two said at the same time. They both gave each other that, 'Really? You had to do that?' look.

They each took a sip at the same time as well and did the same thing again. Jade looked outside and saw a blue pickup truck pull up.

"Watch your 9," Jade whispered to Will. He looked to his left and said, "Let's go to a booth," he said. Jade nodded, and they slipped away to a red torn booth. When they sat down, they both put their hoodies up and took a sip. Trying to stay invisible.

Then the doorbell rang.

"No, not the figurative doorbell, I mean the bell sound a door usually makes at a smaller store." the author said.

"Cheryl, you got your debt yet?" said a man whom had walked in. He had a deep country accent and was shorter than most. He was portly, with jeans and a plaid button down on. His hair was a light brown and shaved on the sides. And he had a shotgun in his hand.

"No Darren, I'll get by tomorrow. I have $250 right now and I'll the 50 when I get paid," Cheryl had emerged from the back and stood at a fresh distance from Darren.

"No, I need it now." the man said aggressively. Will and Jade were giving side glances, but they hadn't stepped in.

"Darren, come back tomorrow." Cheryl said, standing her ground now and looking deep into the man's eyes.

"Mo damaremasu ka?" Will said, trying to look cool under his hood.

"What?" Darren said, looking very confused.

"I said, 'Can you shut up already'?" Will said. Jade looked at him, as if she was trying to discourage him. Darren pointed his shotgun at Will.

He got out of the booth and said, "Shoot me. I dare you. I through in hell and back. I probably killed your uncle. Does he work in the force?" Will said.

Darren nodded. "Yeah, so probably," Will said, still trying to act cool. He took out his Swiss Army knife and took out every sharp tool he could find.

"Why so serious?" Will said. He had a demonic look in his eye and he was holding the knife to Darren's mouth.

"Uh," Darren said.

"You don't understand... DO YOU?!" Will said. Darren was defecating himself right now.

Jade whipped her DE out and pointed it at Darren.

"Get the *bleep* out." she said. Darren stepped back slowly and was about to walk out when Will said, "Drop the shotgun,"

Darren dropped it and ran to his truck.

"Here," Will said, handing the shotgun to Cheryl. "Looks like you're gonna need it," he said, smiling. Cheryl smiled back and said, "Thank you for... this, but what's your name?"

"My name? My name's Neil," Will said. Jade smirked at him, and Cheryl said, "Well, thank you Neil and thank you madam for helping me,"

"You're welcome," Jade said, smiling.

"Goodbye, Ms. Cheryl," Will said, opening the door and waving back. Jade waved as well, and Cheryl waved back. She pumped the shotgun and waved back.

"She was nice," Jade said. "Yeah, and you were outstanding, it was like James Bond or something," Will said, while making finger guns and jumping around.

They walked through the parking lot and toward the car. The mist revealed a figure in the distance. The entity was tall and dressed in black. The person was trying to pry the car door open.

"Hey, step away," Jade said, raising her DE.

"Okay," said the entity.

He walked forward and Jade asked for his age.

"Fourteen," the kid said.