The Plan

By J.R. Bouchard

Jason McDowell sits against the door of his ten by ten two man cell peering out the window, awaiting his release time from prison. While in hopes to return to a normal life, he finds himself right back to the life he lived in which lead him to face ten years in prison for a crime that was to be an easy and profiting job for his boss and himself. However, his curiosity gets the better of him as he returns to Pinellas County from Jacksonville to find his old boss knows what he was told on why Jason did not spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Jason now has to rekindle his relationship with his boss in order to figure out who created the set-up which leads him to spend his golden years behind bars. While trying to find his rat he encounters more friendships with new types of citizens that appear to be true friends. Will Jason find out who pulled the rug out from under him without losing his life or will he get his revenge on the rat?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665573559

J.R. Bouchard

J.R. went through school writing fiction stories and winning Rhode Island’s young authors award. After leaving school he focused on building a life while still writing for fun. After watching many different genres of movies and shows he came up with the idea of Variant.

Book preview

Chapter 1: What Came To Pass

Hurricane storm clouds ripped through the mid-night breeze, streaming in from the Gulf of Mexico, covering the morning sky, like a heavy blanket. Lightning scattered throughout the overcast. Seconds later, thunder boomed in the distance. This indicated the storm was only a few miles away from reaching the city. The citizens of Jacksonville knew they were in for a disastrous storm. It had been several months since a single raindrop had fallen. The storm appeared without notice. The city was unprepared.

As the storm covered the prison estate, a fury of lightning bolts connected with the generator, temporarily shutting down the power. It took around five minutes before the backup generator kicked in. The inmates began to yell and scream like a bunch of wild gorillas, behind their domesticated cages. However, one prisoner kept silent while packing his belongings into his pillowcase.

After serving ten years in the state penitentiary for a job he was supposed walk away from. It was finally time to say goodbye to his cold, dark, damp prison cell. The day of his prison release was April 15, 2010. He had spent his last ten birthdays behind bars.

On this day, he was going to be a free man once again. However, the weather was not on his side. The sun usually shined, while flocks of birds chirp in the sunlight. That was normal weather for this time of year in Florida. This year was different. This year’s forecasts was stranger than normal.

The overcast of clouds had covered all of the recreation yards, fields, and the basketball courts. Are we going to see any sign of sunshine today? asked the Warden to his moral advisor. I have no idea sir, his advisor replied looking down at his blackberry torch, mobile phone, The weather did not indicate any bad forecasting. Your prisoners were to take advantage of the recreation yards today. Guess we have to change plans, right?

The Warden looked to his advisor than chuckled, Like I give a hoot about these convicts. Keep them locked down for the whole day, for all I care. Tell them it was an attempted escape. I do not care tell them something, so they will not start rioting. They will never know the difference. Both the Warden, and his advisor laughed, as the Warden turned to his office window, smiling and laughing while holding a cigar between his fingers. He gazed at the clouds rolling in at a rapid speed. Both of the men could care less about what happened to the prisoners. If an atomic bomb were to explode, they would only care about themselves.

The prisoners were of minimal concern. however, this day was special to one prisoner. He was itching to be set free after serving his sentence. He did not own them another second of his time. He was ready to leave the gray painted walls of his cell that sheltered him for the past ten years. Five am was to be his release time.

It was right after the morning chow, but due to the supposed ‘attempted escape’, his release time was pushed back three hours.

The small window in the back to the cell, showed a large cluster of clouds casting over the basketball court that the prisoners could see. After a few moments, rain began to fall, and fast.

While small puddles began to form on the concrete. Damn, I was hoping this day was going to be sunny when I walk out these doors, he said stuffing the last of his belongings into a pillow case, Gart, get down off the top bunk if you want the bottom one. You never know what kind of person they will put in here next. You may need this bunk, he said waiting by the cell door, hoping they would slide open as he stared out.

However, the door remained closed. You never told me what you were in for, said the old redneck, hunched over his pillow, waiting for an answer.

I never told anyone. There would have been a target on my back if I did, he said picking up a pillowcase filled with all the letters, and paperwork he gathered throughout the years, Guess I could tell you.

It was almost ten years ago on this day. Thirteen days till my eighteenth birthday. They tried me as an adult, he began. "The house was dark. I could make out some pitcures. It was a families house. Which was not places we hit. No matter the reason. Too high risk.

The instructions I was given outlined everything. The safe was on the second floor, in the master bedroom. All I had to do was enter a room, and then look for the large mirror."

Behind the mirror was a safe. About five feet tall, and three feet wide. The combination was simple. The first three numbers to the house, the first two numbers to the section of the neighborhood, and the last number was the age of the infant son of the owner. The only hard part was figuring that out.

There were no pictures of the son, but there were tons of pictures of the different adults. Therefore, it was difficult to determine the age of the child. So I tried to try and decipher the code without knowing the age of the boy he continued as he peered out of the cell door window into the day room.

"I turned the dial completely around to the left, then seventy notches right. Then came the most difficult part of his task, guessing the exact age of the owner’s son. Right as I began to turn the dial, I notice out of the corner of my eye. A dark figure in the shadows entering the master bedroom. I had no time to react. I stood with my back against the wall, as the figure turned on the light.

There I was, standing face to face with a large Hawaiian man. He stared into my eyes, as if I was a bug on the wall. As he began to turn to shut the door, I quickly grabbed a hold of his shoulders and kneed him in the spinal column of his back, bringing him to his knees. Then held, his mouth shut until the breath of his lungs escaped from his throat. I had knocked him out without killing him. So I drug his lifeless body into the walk-in closet, covering him with a few thick wool blankets.

As I turned from the body, I quickly caught a glimpse of a picture. It was of a youngboy, around five years old, playing with a small puppy. It had to be the owner’s child. Therefore, I ran to the safe and entered my last set of numbers, which was zero five. Then pulled the lever to the door as it slowly released its clasp, and the door opened. Inside was a large sum of cash, a few passports, and military issued firearms. The problem was the diamond I came to collect was not inside the safe. When I grabbed the handle of a nine-millimeter handgun that was on the second shelf, I found a secret compartment"

The compartment door was attached to the handle of the pistol. So, as I pulled the handle closer the trap door slid open.

My eyes grew large at the site of the large diamond that shined off the inside light of the safe. I had never seen a sight in all my heists. This was the cream of the crop. I was to retire before twenty-one. So I thought.

Without any hesitation, I grabbed the diamond and the nine-millimeter pistol, and some cash than rushed out the bedroom into a small hallway. To my left were a few more rooms, and to my right was a banister that looked down onto the living room. I could see a small group of people both male, and female getting ready for a small get together.

As I knelt down the steps scaling the stairs wall covering my existence, I noticed the banister swept left heading toward a large double door. There were casualties waiting below. I needed a way out without any trouble, so I walked back up the stairs and down the hallway.

After walking down the short hall I was set on a split from the second floor to the first floor by way of an air passage structure. It was a risky maneuver but I had nothing else to lose, besides exposing my presence. I quickly hopped on top of the banister placing my left leg against the wall, followed by my right.

"Lowering my body down the air passage was the hardest part. I was not to be in eyes range, but I had to run as soon as I lowered myself down. I noticed a large kitchen unoccupied by the people within the house. However, time was of the essence. Therefore, I quickly and quietly dropped down as if I were a ninja stealthily moving within shadows as I heading toward the sliding glass doors on the opposite side of the room. As I entered the backyard, my eyes set on a magnificent pool, with a hardwood deck. Nevertheless, I was not alone. There were Federal Agents waiting around the poolside for me to exit the kitchen doors. Right then I knew it was a set up.

Therefore, I quickly turned back into the house. However, as I stepped back into the kitchen, a few of the males that were in the living room, greeted me with hostel demeanors written across the surface of their faces. They all were wielding police issued nine-millimeters."

I quickly jumped behind a pool table that was to the left of the door. It was a good cover until the bullets began to fly into the wood, exposing most of my vital organs. Remembering the nine-millimeter I had recovered from the safe, I extracted it from the back of my pants and began to return fire.

A few bullets ripped into the chest of one of the men as the other ducked below the kitchen bar. Right than I had time to run from the pool table to one of the columns toward the living room where the party was being held.

As I used the column for cover, more bullets continued to be shot into the drywall. Luckily for me, the insulation caught most of the bullets from exiting through, giving me more of an advantage to use it for a little while longer. Just as the bullets stopped abruptly, I was able to slightly look out from the wall and return fire at the man using the bar for cover. A few bullets hit his shooting arm and also one in his leg giving me the chance to run.

But what I thought was just a small party was actually a covert operation to throw me off. A few of the females were also undercover agents waiting for me to enter the living room. I had nowhere to go. I was confused between my decisions. So I had to take the living room path.

As I entered, guns were drawn waiting for me. Therefore, I took aim at the female agents and disabled them before they could get off any shots. It was like an old western film when the bar would explode into gunfire.

After disabling the female agents I had to take a chance running out of the front door. However, as I ran out of the door an arm was stuck out in front of me blocking my path. The arm in front my throat, slammed into my jugular, sending my body to the ground, breathless.

Finally got yo’ ass said an African American undercover detective. He was dressed in street clothes. He had a white hooded sweatshirt that had an Ecko emblem across the front. His blue jeans pants were brand new made by G-Unit Clothing, and he wore black Nike Michael Jordan Style trainer’s. He was around five foot eleven. His ears were pierced with large diamond earrings. His eyes were covered by black Movado sunglasses. The only reason I knew it was a Detective was the fact his badge was hanging around his neck on a gold Gucci necklace,

Now put your hands behind yo’ back, sucka’! "I was caught. There was nowhere to run or hide. So I placed my hands behind my back and let him place the cuff’s on. However, when he lifted me up to my feet he stood me in front of him, so I had one chance to escape by swinging my head back into the bridge of his nose. He released the grasp he had on my hands.

The plan worked perfectly. I was off and running until I reached the end of the lawn.

Right than an unmarked police vehicle road up and hit me on the right side of my body, sending me through the air a few feet before landing on the road. The officer quickly exited his vehicle and shot me with his taser gun"

"They transported me in a helicopter to the nearest hospital. It took a few weeks after they performed multiple surgery on my broken bones, to recover. After that, the hospital released me into the waiting arms of the Sheriff’s Office custody. The courts held me in county jail for three months until they sentence me to prison for ten years on charges of armed robbery to an occupied dwelling, and resisting arrest with violence.

They dropped the attempted murder on a police officer because the officer did not announce themselves as F.B.I agents before opening fire, so I beat that by claiming self- defense. Unfortunately I did not have a concealed weapons permit due to the fact I was underage, so the courts charged me with possession of a firearm. This offense made it my fifth felony as a minor."

"They wanted to give me twenty five years, but because I was only seventeen with an outstanding lawyer, the state knew they could not prosecute me to the fullest of the law. Therefore, the state offered a ten-year sentence in a medical facility. They labeled me unfit to be with the general population. They were hoping I would not claim temporary insanity, and get away with everything. Therefore, that is what they offered me, and my lawyer low-balled me into taking their offer and pleading out to the charges. He just wanted his money.

Now I know I should have claimed temporary insanity, went through their motions of their doctors and had it all thrown out. The courts would have sent me to a mental ward till I was twenty one."

Gart looked at him and chuckled, You know what kid. I would have tried to kill you if you told me that story before. Don’t be surprised if they don’t try and come after you again. If all that was no bold face lie.

The intercom boomed throughout the pod, McDowell, roll it up. Finally he thought. The announcement couldn’t have come at a better time. McDowell thought as he looked toward his pillow sack. At least he got his call which was the most important part of this day.

When the door to his cell opened, McDowell was waiting with his mattress over his left shoulder and his pillowcase in his right hand. With a grin from ear to ear, he exited the cell and walked toward the guard station that was at the entrance to the pod. It took a few minutes before the guard acknowledged him at the window. When he looked up his face showed anger and frustration, McDowell, Jason? he asked.

Jason shook his head yes, as he passed his prisoner identification badge through the small slit of the window, like a bank teller behind bulletproof glass, What took so long, C.O? he asked looking behind the guard, and at the docket of prisoners. Each screen showed what cells each prisoner were housed in. The guard answered his question with a grunt, Don’t worry about it McDowell. Walk to the doors and place your mattress on the floor to the left and wait till you hear the buzzer. Then walk through the doors, and wait for the next officer to direct you where to go instructed the guard sliding his identification badge back to him.

Jason followed his demand walking to the door, then throwing his mattress down next to the doors. Before Jason exited through the doors, he turned back around toward the other inmates. Each inmate stood at thier cells watching Jason exit.

The buzzer sounded as he pushed the door open and walked through. The officer in the hall waited, holding a pair of handcuffs about to slap them around Jason’s wrist, C.O, do you really have to do that? I am not going to do anything to be put back in those cells for another ten years.

The Correctional Officer chuckled while proceeding to tighten the pair of handcuffs around his wrists, I have to follow protocol. Now shut up and walk. As the the two hurried down the long corridor, Jason’s eyes wandered around the white walls. He noticed the other pods which held more violent criminals, separated from the minimum population. All the murderers, cannibals, a few child molesters. The hardcore crimials were housed here. A lot more of the prisoner’s in other sections either snitched for the local police.

After turning down one corridor, after another, they finally reached the property release center. Jason took out his paperwork, placing his bed sheets into the proper receptacle, then walked up to the window. Another guard was waiting at, to greet Jason. Here’s what was transferred from the county jail here. All of your clothing was shipped to your last known address or thrown out if they were returned back. So you might have to get a new wardrobe, sorry. However, since there was no clothing in property, the prison is giving you some clothes people donated to us.

There was a pair of white, gray, and black army camouflage fatigues. A pair of white and black Riddel sneakers, and a black tank top. Please take these clothes, change out of your prison issued uniform, then return back to this window when you are finished said the guard behind the window pointing to the change out sign on the far left wall of the release center.

Jason quickly changed out of his uniform, and returned to the window placing the clothes where the guards could slide them through. "Now please sign this release form saying everything was returned to you and walk through the door you came from.

Another officer will be waiting to take you to the last section of the release center. Please do not let us see you again in the future. Follow all laws and abide by them, thank you."

The guard finished his disclaimer, pushed a button under the counter, as he pointed to the exit door. With no time to waste, Jason walked through the door following another guard again. They walked a few more feet to yet another door, waiting for another buzzer to sound.

As they entered, the officer walked ahead to another window with another guard behind it. He then slid a manila file through another small slot. A.T.W, here’s his file. See you around Charlie.

Both officers nodded as the transport officer turned back through the door they entered. Ok Mr. McDowell said the guard, please step up to the white wall with your face toward me, and your back against the wall. Look into the camera and smile if you want. Jason followed his demand and had is picture taken for his release.

The guard returned his Prison identification badge back to him, Give this to the officer at that door, said the guard pointing to Jason’s left, and he will escort you out. The guard slid Jason’s release paperwork to the guard behind the door. Again, he did as instructed.

After ten years in state custody, Jason took order’s better now than when he first arrived at the Correctional Facility, in Jacksonville. The first month after his transfer from the County Jail, Jason was in three fights. All of them caused because of other inmates trying to walk over him.

They would steal his commissary. Turn the television to what they wanted to watch even though Jason was watching it first, and even going as far as trying to take his food at chow time. A few weeks of putting up with the abuse, he finally stood up and fought the biggest guy that was trying to push him around. The man he was fighting had many other prisoners on his side.

After watching the beating Jason was delivering onto the man. His group stepped back, and let them fight. After the fight, Jason picked the guy up and then let him drop onto his back and walked away. He gained more respect from other inmates. His name spread around the prison like wildfire. He was untouchable. Still he had enemies but none that would attack him unless they had a group together. Most men feared him and most gangs wanted him. Therefore, Jason did his time alone. That was the only way to get out alive. On this day, he looked back at his time in prison. He remembers how desperately he wanted to get out. This was his day to walk the long haul to freedom.

After another walk down longer corridors, that took another fifteen minutes, Jason was almost free. As he exited the doors, the sunrays blinded his vision. He did not have any sunglasses to shield his eyes. His inch long spiked black hair glistened in the sunlight. The black tank top he wore showed off his muscular structure, as the camouflage pants gave him a military look. However, topping off his whole outfit was his white and black Riddel sneakers, lastly was a walk between two large fences to the release gates. It was like something out of a movie.

He exited the gates in front of the prison. Instead of people waiting for him like in the movies, no one was waiting to give him a ride home. He was completely alone in the world.

The prison gave him a hundred dollars that he had earned while working his last twenty-four months on the prison library staff. This was his only way to get back to Pinellas County. He had a long walk ahead of him until reaching downtown Jacksonville. Luckily, the rain had stopped, and the sun was shining. Therefore, he began his walk to the greyhound bus station in downtown. He took a deep breath of fresh air and began to follow the road signs onto interstate four. The highway he was to walk, heading south to central Florida.

Two hours had passed since he had walked out of the prison gates. He felt as free as a bird. The world though felt strange to him now that he was out of the prison walls. He enjoyed the smell of the fresh air, and the sun on his back. It was beating on him so hard it was creating the start of what were a few minor sunburns across his shoulders. Even though he had been in the recreation yard constantly for the past twelve months. Though Jason was in the sun a lot when was a teenager, skateboarding around town with his childhood friend Damien, this much exposure to the sun was the most he had in a long time.

They were inseparable between the ages of thirteen through sixteen. Before Damien decided to leave town, and live with his father. The separation killed Jason inside. He felt alone in the world with the loss of his best friend. His grades in school reflected his loss of ambition for life, school, and prospering in it. Jason went from getting A’s in art, which was his favorite, and best subject to D’s, and then F’s as the months pass. With his despair, Jason had slowly started heading down the wrong path in life. Prison was his last stop before waking up from his bad choices.

The highway signs indicated he was still ten miles away from downtown. After three hours into his journey, Jason felt like he had been walking for an eternity.

He continued his hike down the two-lane highway, startled by numerous honks of passing cars. Hoping that one of the cars would stop, and offer him a ride. Then he thought of how dangerous that would be. If the situation went south, he was with no protection. He would be a sitting duck. He could end up back in prison on a murder charges.

His thoughts went back to his journey home as he continued along the highways grass area hoping to reach the inner city before he passed out from heat exhaustion. As he kept walking his mind contemplated on what happened the day he was arrested. Nevertheless, there were questions that needed revealing. Was he set up? Who set him up? In addition, why did his so-called loyal boss not try to bail him out while in county jail or even visit him?

After three years of loyal service the least his boss could have done was sent a letter. Jason thought as a black 69 Dodge Charger pulled up alongside of him breaking his train of thought. Hey said the voice of women as the passenger side window began to roll down. The tint was too dark to see through as the women continued to speak, I noticed you walking down the road. Do you know how dangerous it is?

Who cares? Jason replied, I don’t have anything to live for if I do get hit.

Well, that’s not a good attitude, or way of thinking. Do you need a ride? she asked, as the window was now completely open.

She pressed the unlock button on her side of the panel, I can drive you as far as downtown. You would have to find your way around after that. I am heading toward there anyway.

Jason thought about what Gart said, and how convenient this was, I am really sorry you stopped but I can’t accept your offer. I may have nothing to live for but I don’t know you, and you don’t know me. Sorry.

The women began to try and comfort Jason, I am not going to hurt you, and I am just trying to help. The bible says to treat those how you would like to be treated, right?. Well, I thought if I were walking down a hot road, I would like a ride as well. So I tried. Have a good day she finished saying as she began to roll up her window.

As she began to drive away, Jason quickly weighed out his options. Keep walking, maybe pass out from exhaustion. Possibly get run over, or accept the help of a woman wanting to give him a ride.

Ok, ok. he pleaded as he began to run alongside of her now moving vehicle, I’ll take the ride.

The car slowed down, as Jason was able to open the door, and hopped in.

Thank you Jason said as he closed the door, buckling his seatbelt, I really appreciate this. I had been walking for a few hours now. I and need to get to the bus station before they close for the day. I don’t know what I would have done in that situation.

Why are you going to the bus station? she asked as he eyes never left the road. I’m from south of here. I finally earned up enough money to get back there he replied looking around noticing a very new interior.

Thats great, she commented softly, are you excited to get back there? Jason continued to look at the interior as he hesitated to answer her question, I don’t know. Havent seen anyone from there in over ten years?

Why not? she said slowly turning to him then back to the road. Behind her black and pink Dolce & Gabbana, sunglasses Jason noticed her bluish green eyes. Looking into them quickly captivated him,

Couldn’t really get them on the phone. Guess I know where I stood with them.

Elle chuckled, Maybe life got in the way?

Ya, maybe Jason replied surprised, or maybe I wasn’t worth their time.

What make’s you think that? she replied still focusing on the road, and at Jason, haven’t you had times where you couldn’t answer someone?

Yeah maybe a day or two, Jason asked while wondering why he opened this can of worms conversation, but ten years? That’s just being ignored.

What if they lost your contact info or their house burnt down. All I’m saying is just chill.

Easier said then done, he realized, I risked everything for those people. All they had to do was reach out.

Maybe its because you left to begin with? she said as Jason looked out toward the side mirror.

I kind of think, Jason began to explain lowly, one of them is the reason I had to leave.

That’s vague, replied Elle now more confused, almost sounds shady.

A lot of people are shady, Jason blurted out, as he looked out the window, thinking about who in the company it could have been. In the mirror, he noticed his wrinkles showing his deep thought.

There’s also a lot that aren’t shady, she replied looking at his face, not everyone sucks.

She quickly asked, noticed he was not looking at her anymore.

Maybe not for you, Jason answered, still not looking in the mirror.

What makes you say that? Because I’m a girl? Woman are more shady then men toward eachother.

He had to clear his face before turning back to her, but could not. You can’t even say anything to that, She giggled as she reached for his chin, forcing him to look into her eyes, You know I’m right.

He jerked his head away from her hand and went back to looking out the window, Think how you want. It will get you killed soon.

I give people trust until theres a reason not to. she finished and continued driving.

Was it obvious she didn’t think about people as he did. Even though he was locked up in prison around men twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, for ten years, he still understood how to read people pretty well. Of course they were mostly misguided inmates that still thought like a teenager.

As Jason thought about how to answer her, he was taking in this womans beauty. She had long blond hair pulled into a ponytail, exposing her pierced ears that had two holes for earrings. Her lowest holes holstered two silver hoops.

She had a fair complexion, not to light, not too tan. She was a curvy woman. By the way she sat in her seat, she was short I guess when you get backstabbed so many times, you just dont trust anyone, he said, slightly turning his head in her direction.

The woman looked his way, her face showed she was unsure of why he had no trust in people, Guess you had to have been put through the ringger to think that way. Prison maybe.

Jason became flustered again, Is that what you think when you look at me? I mean, everyone could have gone to jail, or prison sometime in their life. That doesn’t mean thats why though.

If you search me, she said slightly turning toward him but not taking her eyes off the road, your not gonna find anything. At least from Adult on. Elle LaCamp. What’s your name? Jason he replied dryly.

With his reply, Elle knew she had struck a nerve. The rest of the ride was a bit awkward. Elle tried to show some attention to him but Jason was hurt by her question. He watched the exit signs pass as they drove closer to the entrance of downtown Jacksonville. His anticipation built inside. He needed to get back to Pinellas County before he changed his mind to stay and get to know her. Even though their conversation was not a perfect one, he liked her beauty, so he tried to calm himself down.

However, it was no use. He was too shook. Why do people have to think badly of people that have a record? This was going to be a question that has no answer. He would just have to ignore what happen. Leaving before either his feelings to wanting to get to know her comes out, or the tension of the conversation rose to a higher level.

When they reached the outskirts of town, she pulled over, letting him exit the vehicle. Without even a thank you, Jason opened the door stepping out, closing it. Elle sped off in an instant. Leaving dark black tire marks on the ground behind her.

The sound of spinning tires on the pavement spazed Jason’s nerves, causing his body to jump. He turned around abruptly. Watching her car shoot of like a rocket ship, into the atmosphere. He was wondering why he acted so short, with her after how nice she was to him. He then realized it was a mistake to treat her like that. In the back of his mind he was hoping to never see her again.

While also hoping he would. He also wondered what would happen if they did meet again. Could Elle have been the girl who gets away?

Chapter 2: A bump in the road

Jason walked to the closest gas station and entered the front doors. A blast of cold air from the air conditioner froze the sweat from his brow. He began to look around the store as he walked through the isle’s. He noticed the cashier giving him an awkward stare, as he walked down the aisles, toward the back of the store close to the restrooms.

The cashier was a young woman in her early to late twenties. She had dark black hair with a few strips of purple highlights. Under her cashier smock, she wore a long black thermal shirt. She had cut holes at the end of each sleeve, allowing her thumbs through. Her brown eyes peering at Jason through her small, thin glasses.

Down each aisles were different assortments of candy, potato chips, and power bars. His stomach began to rumble, remembering how long it has been since he last ate. Not wanting to risk spending the money for his bus ticket home, he knew he had to take some food without anyone noticing. Jason did a quick search before he snatching a bag of potato chips hidding them under his shirt where no one could see.

Before he reached the men’s room, he was face to face with the refrigerator items. Pepsi products behind one glass door, milk behind another, and Coca-Cola products behind the last refrigerator.

His mouth instantly watered at the site of a one-liter bottle of Pepsi. Jason craved the taste so, as he began to reach for the door. He could feel the cashier still looking in his direction. He had to be fast, and sly as he opened the door to the Pepsi refrigerator.

Knowing the cashier was still watching him, Jason began to look around the variety of soda’s, acting as if he did not know which one to choose. He knelt down onto his knee out of site of the cashier, and secretly concealed the one of the bottles of Pepsi under his pant leg. When he finally finished making sure the bottle was fit snugly into his sock, Jason stuffed his pant leg into his shoe. He than rose back to his feet.

He then turned around to face the cashier, Ma’am, do you have any Colt 45 quarts in stock? he asked knowing there was none on any of the shelves in the refrigerator.

The young cashier shook her head no making sure she did not break the lock she had on him, They are illegal in this area.

While rubbing his head in confusion, trying to make it seem as real as possible. Jason replied back to the cashier with yet another stupid question, Where are the restrooms? The cashier pointed toward the bathrooms with her gaze, breaking her focus on the customer already checking out.

Wow, that sucks, he stated making his was toward the men’s room knowing this was the most opportune time to take advantage of the situation. He couldn’t take the chance of getting caught shoplifting, after just been released from prison. What a story that it would be in central booking, he thought as he opened the door to the facilities.

He did a quick look around the bathroom. Hoping to find security cameras, before extracting the potato chips from under his shirt. When he tried to open the bag of potato chips, his stomach growled profusely.

After not eating for almost eight hours, and walking for the past three. He could not wait to taste the flavor of sour cream touching his taste buds.

With the first chip he took into his fingers, he swiftly shoved it into his mouth. The flavor touched his tounge, exploding through is saliva. The taste left Jason in awe.

He was in a heaven state of mind, when the flavor of the potato chips flew down his throat. Seconds later, the bag of chips were empty. He had shoved all the chips into his mouth, before remembering about the soda, still tucked in his pants. The flavor of the sode was all he tasted while eating the chips. Given his stomach yet another piece of heaven.

Once he was done, savoring the flavor of his deed, Jason threw the evidence in the toilet. He flushed the bowl, while hiding the bottle with the potato chip wrapper under the trash bag of the wastebasket. Before opening the door, Jason ran his hands under the faucet, then walked out acting as if he actually using the bathroom. Even the cashier was still watching him exit the restroom, she didn’t suspect anything. Her eyes burned the back of Jasons head like a hot cattle prod, melting into the side of a bull’s hide.

As he walked back through the store, he tried not to lock eyes with the young girl. The Cashier did not break her gaze. When he reached the counter, Jason threw the whole mood yet another direction, I’m looking for a pair of sunglasses, kind of like the ones behind you. the cashier turned around looking at white grate like contraption, hanging different assortments of accessories.

Hats, T-shirts, due rags the young black teens wore under their hats, and a wide variety of sunglass eyewear. The shades were imitations like Gucci, Chanel, Movado, and Dolce & Gabbana.

What kind are you looking for? she replied, in a heavy northern accent, Jason was not expecting. She looked like the usual Florida Gothic girl from the suburbs, dark, and somewhat quiet. The piercing, tattoos and all the black clothing guided the judgment, he made upon her. Now he knew she was just another messed up person trapped, from what society has taught her.

Let me see the black Gucci pair, stated Jason as the cashier began to turn, looking at what she had in stock. There was a display of filtered cigarettes, right in front of the cash register, within reach. His plan was coming together. Right as the cashier turned to look for the pair Jason description, he threw his plan into action.

Within seconds, he reached around the display case grabbing two packs of the filtered cigarettes. Jason then raced out of the gas station doors, almost hitting a customer walking in to buy gas.

He ran through the parking lot without looking back. It was too risky trying to see if anyone was following him. He kept his eyes forward, while reaching the end of the parking lot, connecting to the street. Even though he reached the street, he still did not look back. Going back to prison was not an option. He had to find the greyhound bus station, before it was too late. His curiosity had finally taken the best of him. He turned slightly around, looking for anyone chasing him.

No one was. No one cared, or maybe the cashier was on the phone with the local police calling in the robbery.

A black Charger attempted to exit a parking lot, as Jason turned around colliding with the vehicle. The vehicle sent Jason flying into the air before falling face first onto the road, throwing his eyesight out of focus.

When he slid of the hood and hit the ground, he fell onto his side. Jason then rolled onto his back. By this time, passing cars had stopped to see if he was ok, while others stopped to see if anyone died.

Jason painfully rose to his feet, as the car drove away. He continued peering into the driver side of the windshield. The driver’s head tilted down. All that he seen was the top of a womans head. Seconds later the head began to rise up, exposing who had just almost ran him over. It was the face of a very frightened Elle, bracing her hands on the steering wheel. She then stomped on the brake stopping. After her vehicle came to a stop, Elle gazed into Jason’s eyes.

The engine roared, as she threw the gear shift into drive, beginning to rotate the wheels without moving. She was about to spin her tires, just like when she took off earlier.

Before Elle released the brake, she continued glare at Jason intently. The rumble from the engine grew louder as she consistently pumped the gas pedal now, hesitating to release the brake. She wanted him out of her way but was not ready to face time in prison time. She was too young, and beautiful to cut her life short, because of a criminal act. The desire to look at Jason faded. Elle was about to take that risk, when Jason quickly jumped back. Clearing her path so she could drive out of the lot and out of the way.

With that drama finished, he could continue to flee from the vicinity quickly. Hoping to wither from public view, he ran as fast as he could to the front of a restaurant. Jason hurried into the front foyer closing the doors behind him. Before any of the local locals noticed anything, Jason closed the front doors, untied the lace ribbon that held the drapes open, shutting them instantly. This blocked the view through the glass, so no one could see in.

Seconds later he was noticed peeking out from behind the drapes, by one of the hostesses behind him. She walked up and tapped him on his shoulder. May I help you sir? asked the woman, as Jason turned around.

The woman’s face showed she did not like the way he was acting within the restaurant. He, stopped peering suspiciously out of the window, standing straight up looking into the eyes of the woman, Um, yes ma’am, do you know where I could find. His sentence ran cold. He could not think of a clever question to ask the woman. He said the first thing that popped into his head, do you have clam chowder by any chance?

The womans face made Jason uneasy. It was as if she was judging Jason but what he wanted to eat. This was the cheapiest food on the menu. Some waitresses think this will be a small or no tip. So they don’t really care about that customer.

As she turned to retrieve the lunch special menu, Jason took the opportunity to dash out of the restaurant, and down the main street. If he was going to find the way to the greyhound station, he was going to need to speak to someone who did not look at him like a homeless peasant.

His main rule has always been to not let anyone know how much money he had or made. That was the mistake he made the night of his arrest, ten years ago. Three people knew everything he was going to make from the job. Vincent his boss, Vincent’s boss Ernesto, and the cabbie that drove him to the street the house.

He vowed to never make that mistake again. If he did anything from now on there was only one person that was going to know what he was doing. That was himself. This thought gave him more drive to find out who set him up, and why? His main goal was to get back to home, and hope Vincent did not vanish or die.

When he was finally tired from running, Jason began to jog slowly, trying to catch his breath. He noticed an old gray haired man, his face was dirty. He wore dirty ripped clothes. He sat on the sidewalk with his back against the wall of a building.

As Jason walked closer toward the homeless looking man, he began to rise to his feet. Not letting his eyes off Jason. The closer Jason got to the man, he could see the anticipation written across his face. He tried as hard as he could, not look directly into the eyes of the old man as he passed.

Sir, can you help an old veteran out please? the old man asked, walking toward Jason. The Vet held a cup in his hand, extended out in front of him. He could not just walk passed the man, knowing he could help. Jason had been in that position in his life, a few times. He felt obligated to offer a helping hand.

I can if you can help me, said Jason stopping in front of the old man, see I need to find the greyhound bus station before dark, and I’m not from here. Do you know where it is? The old man’s face lit up like a Christmas tree in New York’s Time Square.

Yeah, I know where it is. You are not far from it. Follow me. Instructed the old man, walking back to the building he was sitting at. He grabbed his blankets, and plastic bags filled with aluminum cans. Hurry, now, grunted the old man, as he began to hobble down the road toward the end of the sidewalk, follow me, and try to keep up,

Wow man, you have a lot of aluminum cans. Why don’t cash them? asked Jason walking behind the old man observing the large quantity of can’s in one massive garbage, bag over his shoulder, let me help you with that. It’s the least I can do.

While the old man hobbled down the sidewalk, he turned his head slightly toward Jason, "No. I have it. If you weren’t here I would have to do it all by myself. He finished his sentence while still walking forward.

Jason shrugged his shoulders, conceding to the mans stubbornness,