***
We pull up in front of Jonah’s house twenty minutes later and I take my keys out of the ignition.
“You’re home. Here, take this.” I sit the black bag full of money on Jonah’s lap. “I think you might have to make a quick getaway and this will help.” I don’t know exactly how much money is in there, but I would guess it’s easily two hundred thousand dollars.
“You don’t want any?” Jonah can obviously see well enough to know there is money in there.
“No, I don’t need it.”
“How can I pay you back for saving my life then?”
“You don’t need to pay me back. Just take your Mom and get out of here.”
“Will you come in with me? I know Mom will want to thank you.”
“Sure.”
I grab my bag out of habit and walk with Jonah up the pathway to his home. The house is rundown and looks like a tornado might have gone through it recently. The windows are boarded up and no longer have glass in them, the paint is all chipped away and there are dead plants all around the front and I can see they lead all the way to the back, too.
Jonah opens the front door just as his mom rushes forward and wraps him into a big hug, sobbing loudly. I feel like I’m intruding on a moment and look back out to my car, wondering if I should just leave.
“Look at you. What did he do to you? I didn’t think I would ever see you again.” Jonah’s Mom pulls him out of the hug long enough to examine him briefly before she wraps him back up in her arms.
“Mom, stop. Rose saved me. We have to go. Look what she’s giving us.” Jonah points at the black bag on the ground full of money.
“You saved him?”
“Sort of. I knew the police were on their way to that man’s house, but I didn’t know if they would have gotten there in time. He might have made it out before they arrived, which means he’ll know where to come looking for you. You both have to leave.” My voice shakes and I get the feeling that soon I’ll be going into shock.
“And the money?”
“I took it from him. I wasn’t really thinking, but…” I shrug. I had stolen money before and felt awful having done so, somehow this feels different. Jonah needs this money and the drug dealer deserves to have it taken from him.
“Jonah, get your things.” Jonah’s Mom pushes him away towards what I assume is his room and watch him leave.
“Will you be okay?” Jonah’s Mom asks me nervously.
“He doesn’t know who I am. I’ll be fine. Besides, he’ll have to get in line if he wants to kill me.” I think back to the bank and feel exhausted from today. I have been on a nonstop rollercoaster all day; I’m ready to collapse in my bed and sleep for days.
“Thank you for helping my son.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just glad I was able to be useful today. Please stay safe.” I turn back, heading back towards my car when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn back to Jonah’s Mom.
“Take this.” She holds up a small pile of money and forces it into my hand. “I don’t feel right not giving you anything.”
“No, really, I don’t need—”
“Please.”
I see stubbornness in her and I know I have to let her pack. The longer I’m here, the longer I’m stopping her from leaving, however it’s obvious that she won’t let me go without giving me some sort of thanks. I also have to get back home. Dean is probably in a complete panic over me.
“Thank you.” I take the money from her and place it in a secret compartment in my bag to show that I have accepted it. No need for anyone to see that money when the bank is being investigated for theft. I will have to find a charity to dump it in between this place and home.
She nods her head to me and I walk away from the house and back towards my car. I glance back briefly and see her closing the door. I hope they make it out in time. I should get ahold of a phone, make sure they’ve caught the drug dealer so I can be sure Jonah and his Mom will be safe.
I walk up to the curb, lost in thoughts of today and how insane it has all been. I groan, knowing it’s not even over yet. I still have to make a statement to the police about the bomb and, most likely, another one about that drug dealer. I also have someone out there trying to kill me. Why? Who would go to such extreme measures to kill me? To put a bomb in my workplace? Nothing has made sense about today. Maybe this is all some crazy nightmare. I’ll wake up soon and today won’t have started. I’ll call in sick and stay in bed all day just to be sure none of this happens.
I reach out to open my car door when I feel something placed over my mouth. Hands grab me and pull me backwards. I try to scream, but all I manage is a muffled cry. I struggle against the strong grip, however I feel dizzy all of a sudden and fear whatever I’m breathing in is affecting me.
Darkness surrounds me rapidly as I’m thrown into the back of a vehicle and roll around as it starts up. Then, I’m driven away. Before fear has time to set inside me, my eyes close. I don’t even get time to enjoy being able to breathe when the cloth is taken away from my mouth before a deep sleep knocks me into oblivion.
CHARLIE NICHOLS
Taken By Surprise Page 29