by M. O. McLeod
21.
Skid Row
The girls got past the evening guards easily enough. There seemed to be an uneasy truce since Kurma had shown Jackie how to transmute back into her old body. They headed up to Skid Row, where the retail was high-end, and the restaurants were all four and five-star.
Kurma didn’t have a penny to her name. She couldn’t pop into a bank and take out cash either, because then she would be in the system. She knew her family was still looking for her, and she wanted to keep it that way. Kurma didn’t need money for Skid Row, though. Chelsea, who just so happened to be a kleptomaniac, was happy to boost anything for the girls just as long as the items could fit in bags; then O’bellaDonna would distract whichever sales clerk came their way. She had been trained in the con in prep school, by her mentor—an elderly custodian lady who liked other’s people’s identities. Jackie, a masterful car thief, stole a beat-up, black SUV, and the girls were off shopping.
“Turn on the radio, Jackie,” April said from the back seat. Her nerves were still shot, and she worried about who was going to fill in at her guard post. She hadn’t reported in like she was supposed to, and she knew her brother would find out. “I haven’t heard the radio in so long.”
Music filled the car, and the girls all seemed to be in their own worlds for the moment. The groups were clearly set: Jackie and O’bellaDonna were in the front, since they were the oldest. Kurma and Rimselda sat in the middle seat, and Chelsea and April—the two most hesitant ones in the group—were in the back.
The SUV pulled onto Skiddish Boulevard, better known as Skid Row, and the girls looked out onto the busy street lined with restaurants, boutiques, shoe stores, a movie theater, two malls, motor dealerships, condos, and endless stores. Jackie parked the SUV and the girls jetted from the vehicle.
“Where should we go first? Food or shoes?” asked Rimselda.
“Shoes!” all the girls said in unison. They laughed together and crossed the street. Men and boys alike cat-called the girls as they made their way to Rueben’s, one of the biggest shoe warehouses on the east coast. Kurma kept her head down and ignored the men.
The store was brightly lit and filled with women, mannequins, and boxes of shoes. The girls scattered out in a dash.
“Let’s meet back outside in thirty,” Kurma screamed to the backs of the girls’ heads, then directed her attention to a pair of black boots displayed in the front of the store. They were shiny and sequined, with platform heels, and laced up to the calf. Kurma quickly undid her old sneakers and tried them on. She didn’t know if she should stick to something comfortable or go for fashionable.
She was prancing in front of the mirror with the boots on when a flash of color caught her eye. Kurma turned around and saw a pair of blue-leather gloves with white and black diamonds on them. They sparkled on the mannequin’s hands. The sensor that was laced through them stopped Kurma—she would need assistance from one of the clerks if she wanted to try them on. She glanced around and saw that the coast was clear. Her right-arm dagger cut through her skin, and she quickly sliced through the device, grabbed the gloves, and walked out of Rueben’s, platform boots and all. It was exhilarating.
Kurma looked behind her and saw the security guards still standing on either side of the door, oblivious. She put her nose to the gloves. They smelled new and earthy. She checked the price tag and couldn’t believe they cost five hundred dollars. She slipped them on and smiled. Gloves were the best accessory to have since she couldn’t touch people, not to mention that they were in season and to die for.
Chelsea and Jackie came next, practically skipping across the lawn where Kurma was waiting. They had scarves wrapped around their necks and new shoes on their feet. Rimselda and April both had huge purses they said were for the next stores they went shopping in. Kurma knew what that meant.
O’bellaDonna glided out of Rueben’s last. She carried shopping bags as if she had actually purchased something. She wore shades and a new hat as well. She smiled as she approached the girls.
“So, the security guard. Not the fat one but the skinny one. He used to be an associate of mine. He tells me there’s a massive party tonight over in east Alexandria. I think we should go.”
“Where did you get all that stuff?” asked Kurma. All she had was a pair of boots and some gloves. This girl had hats and shoes and bags of stuff.
“Never you mind that. If you were with me, you would have the same thing,” O’bellaDonna said. “Ask Jackie. She knows. Now I suggest we head to Flamingoes and pick up a couple of dresses. I know the Loss Prevention guys have gone for the day.” O’bellaDonna turned, and the girls followed.
“How does she know this stuff?” Kurma asked Rimselda.
Rimselda said, “You know how the Raptor is your thing? Well, being in the know is her thing. She goes around conning and charming her way into everybody’s business. It’s her business to know their business since it’s her livelihood.”
Kurma was impressed.
The girls ditched the food idea and instead went to find outfits for the party. Kurma and Rimselda didn’t think the others would want to know they had to eat insects in order to live anyway.
Chelsea picked a fuchsia chiffon dress that went perfect with her sparkly stilettos. April left with a two-toned jacket and a black mini skirt that showed off her killer legs. Rimselda stuck with a basic, low-cut red dress that clashed horribly with her red hair. Kurma tried to tell her that sometimes red and red was overkill, but Rimselda stuck to her guns. Still, she had a beautiful face, so Kurma was sure it wouldn’t be too bad for her at the party.
Jackie chose ripped, low-rise jeans that showed off her back tattoo, and a gold halter top that matched her hazel eyes. Without a doubt, she had the best body to Kurma, who had never worked out a day in her life. O’bellaDonna squeezed her big hips into a light-pink, backless dress and paired it with black-ribbon, six-inch heels and a leather jacket.
Kurma chose to do a piece outfit. Chelsea had stolen a gray, long-sleeve belly shirt for her, along with white-and-black patterned high-waist shorts and a sleek, black blazer that went perfectly with her new shoes.
The girls were on a high from the day, and chattered excitedly about who they would see later that night. They didn’t know what was waiting for them back at their room in the train station.
22.
The Jeers