Fugitive

Chapter 1

It all began on a quiet Sunday morning. The neighbors were at church and the regular pack of teenage boys that crowd the playground across the street were still asleep. All was still. Toby began to throw a fit. We had run out of animal crackers the day before. Toby lives for his animal crackers. Cat was exhausted, having just come back from a business trip in LA. She was sound asleep in the next room. Maybe it was bad. To give Toby what he wanted after he threw a tantrum. No doubt Cat would scold me for it later. I wanted to keep him quiet so I promised to get him some animal crackers from the general store around the block. Toby wasn't my child. Cat had gotten pregnant at a younger age that she imagined. It was a mistake she isn't proud of but doesn't regret. Toby is the sweetest thing. Cat was kind enough to let me live at her place after I got back from my third tour. Provided I look after Toby and pull my own weight of course. Our parents were off touring across Europe. Lucky things. 

After making sure Toby was okay I snuck out the door, locking everything behind me. The air was fresh, I shoved my hands into the pockets of my hoodie as I walked. My breath clouded in front of me and frost crunched underfoot. Two cars passed on my short walk. Other than that, the streets were silent. A bell jingled overhead as I entered the store. A familiar and comforting sound. Knowing exactly where they were I made a beeline for the animal crackers. I picked up a jumbo box knowing that Toby would get through them. Thinking we would probably run out of milk too, I grabbed a carton. Mrs. Jackson was leaning on the counter. Her glasses were perched at the end of her nose and the end of a pen in her mouth. Obviously struggling with the crossword in her monthly magazine. 

I placed my items on the counter and pulled out my wallet. "Jacob. How are you dear?", she continued before I had a chance to answer. "How's Cat going? These must be for Toby", she picks up the animal crackers chuckling. "We're all doing good Mrs. Jackson. Cat got back from her big business trip in LA yesterday". "Oh good! And how was it"? "Good as far as I know. She's been sleeping since we got home last night". Mrs. Jackson put the animal crackers and the milk into a brown paper bag. She chuckled again. "Of course she has, the poor thing. Always so busy. Will that be all today"? "Yes, thank you". I opened my wallet, regretting once again that I never carry cash. After paying with my card I walked out, wanting to get back to Toby before he woke Cat. "Take care of yourself Jacob", Mrs. Jackson called picking up her magazine once more. "I will Mrs. Jackson. You too". 

As I started the walk back I stopped briefly for a moment to look out at the water across the bay. The sun was shielded mostly by dark clouds, only a slither of orange light peeking through. It was most likely going to be overcast the rest of the day, but I didn't think it would rain. In that moment, everything was still and calm and quiet. Until a booming gunshot rang out through the air. My head whipped in the direction of the shot. Cat's house. "Shit"! I dropped the brown paper bag and sprinted for the house. I could see it down the street, smoke still meandering out of the chimney. Another shot rang out. My heart was in my throat and my breathing rapidly increased. Impossible thoughts ran through my mind but I pushed them back. This never happened in our small town. I ran up the short flight of stairs. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a man. His black clothing standing out as he leapt over the wooden fence down the side of the house. He was the shooter. I could've gone after him but Toby and Cat were still inside, their condition unknown. There was no decision.

 My hands fumbled on the door handle for a millisecond before I threw it open. The lock had been broken. The loud bang of the door hitting the wall echoed through the house. There was no movement. "Cat"! I yelled. "Cat! Toby. Where the hell are you"! My hands pushing on the wall for support I ran first to the living room where I left Toby. My eyes were searching every room. Cat's door was open just an inch. I pushed it open my hand still on the handle. "Fuck", I whispered. "Cat!". I collapsed on the floor next to Cat. Kneeling in a puddle of her blood seeping into the carpet. It was a clean chest shot. "Shit. Shit. Shit. Come on Cat". I pushed my fingers to her neck but they were shaking too much to feel a pulse. She wasn't breathing. Her empty eyes stared at me. They looked like the glass eyes of the stuffed animals that sat on Toby's shelf. Placing my hands on her chest I started compressions. It didn't take long for me to realize it was too late. She had died instantly. Tears filled the brims of my eyes. I wiped a stray tear, smudging blood across my cheek. I was drawn to a gun on the floor. It was mine. From the shed out the back. Cat never liked me keeping them in the house, even in my best safe. She insisted they stay in the shed always under lock and key.