The Game

Ashley unlocked the back room and went in. His backpack was gone. She hadn’t seen him all day. She looked behind the boxes, just to be sure, pushed a chair out of her way, and checked the back corners. Nothing. She’d given him the code; he must have come back and taken his things. She’d trusted him, hidden him in the store at night so he could sleep on the display beds. She’d even brought him food from home so he didn’t have to eat at the food court. Poor guy. He’d lost his job and had no where to go. He was so kind to her, so sweet. No one else treated her that way. She was too short and dumpy, too ordinary for guys to pay attention to. If only they knew.

She put today’s food on the shelf: fresh bread, cheese, apples. She’d thought they could have a picnic, just the two of them. She kept hoping he’d kiss her. She was ready. Maybe he’d come back… No. WHEN he came back. She pushed her hair back and pulled the doors shut. The lock closed with a solid click.

Brian tried to blend in with the shoppers. He was tired of this game and needed to move on. He couldn’t tell Ashley; she’d hang all over him and try to change his mind. He just needed to go. But first, he’d go by the food court and see Paco. And maybe get one last burrito to take with him.

He could smell the French fries as he rounded the corner. Ashley had brought him some good food and he’d miss that, but not her. She was too clingy, too needy. Poor little ugly duckling. He hoped for her sake that she grew up to be a swan.

“You look familiar. Do I know you?” A security guard was holding a slice of pizza and staring at Brian.

“Don’t think so, but I get that a lot. I guess I’m just a type.”

“No, it’s more than that. I’ll think of it later, I’m sure.”

Brian turned away. If the security guard recognized him, he was in trouble. No time for Paco. He walked out through Macy’s, holding his breath as he went by the perfume counters, and out into the parking lot. He needed something that couldn’t be easily traced. That’s when he saw the old bike leaning against the building just waiting for him. He looked around—no one was watching—and picked it up. Rust from the fender got on his jeans, but it brushed right off. He settled his backpack on his shoulders and peddled the bike through the parked cars.

A family was walking toward Macy’s and the little girl ran ahead, not paying any attention. Brian had to brake hard to miss hitting her.

“Watch it! You almost hit her!” the mother said, glaring at him.

So much for keeping a low profile. That woman would remember him now. Brian swerved around the family and then pushed hard on the pedals, but the chain broke, sending the pedal spinning and him sprawling. His arm scraped along the pavement. He was bleeding. He should have taken a car instead of this rusty old heap. Too late. He needed to clean himself up. People noticed blood. He left the broken bike where it was and walked back to the mall, but not to the Macy’s entrance. Too many people. He walked around to the side entrance. It was closer to the restrooms.

The air conditioning hit him as he pushed the doors open and he shivered. No sign of the security guard. Good. Restrooms were to the right, and the men’s room was empty. He washed away the blood and cleaned the scrapes with the hand soap from the dispenser. There were only blow driers. He pulled off the bloody tee he was wearing, used it to dry his arm, and then tossed it in the trash. He took his last clean shirt out of his pack. He’d pick up another shirt later. The kids who worked at Old Navy never paid any attention to him.

He was hungry. He’d eat, talk to Paco, and then go find a car that could be hot wired. Moms with kids sometimes left their cars unlocked.

The mall was full of shoppers, teens swarming, women meandering, small children orbiting around their parents. He blended in with them as best he could, keeping an eye out for that guard. He might have remembered by now; Brian’s picture was in every police station across the country.

“Hombre! ¿Qué tal? Bean burrito?” Brian wasn’t like most customers, and Paco was always glad to see him. He always had a joke or a smile and it made his day a little brighter.

“How’re you doin’, Paco? How ‘bout the chicken today, just for a change.”

“Chicken it is. You okay? You look a little rough.”

“Yeah, fell off my bike. Looks worse than it is,”

“Here’s your lunch. Pollo asado. You take care, man.”

Brian sat at a booth in the corner where he could see but not be easily seen. He’d miss Paco. Or not. He’d left so many people behind, it hardly hurt any more. Except the ones he’d hurt. He smiled to himself remembering the thrill as he bit into the burrito.

“There you are! I thought you’d left!”

“Hey, Ashley.” Brian had not seen her coming. She was upset, giving him her wobbly, almost crying smile. Poor kid. So gullible, so perfect. She was a sucker for a little bit of attention. He’d given her a hard luck story—honed by repetition—and she smuggled him into the store at night so he could sleep on the display beds. She’d given him the code to the storeroom so he could leave his pack there. She even brought him food so he didn’t have to eat at the food court all the time. She thought it was just until he found work. She thought wrong. But today he’d had enough of her. She was killing him with kindness, with her cloying clinginess. He needed to get rid of her. He tried not to pull away when she sat next to him in the booth.

“Oh, no! You poor thing! What happened to your arm? Are you okay? There’s a first aid station next to Pretty Nails. I can show you. We should go there and let them treat that.”

“I’m fine. I washed it out. What are you doing here? Aren’t you working?”

“I was so worried when I couldn’t find you. I brought you some food, but your bag wasn’t in the back, and I thought maybe you’d left without saying anything. You won’t leave me, will you? I was too upset to work and Dick told me to go calm down, said no one would buy furniture from a weepy sales person. He even didn’t bother to ask why I was upset, not that I’d tell him about you. He’s such a jerk; all he cares about is his quota.”

“Hey, I’m fine. Breathe.” Ashley wiped her eyes with one of his napkins, leaving a little chili sauce on her cheek.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. And you’re still here. Everyone tells me I’m too trusting, but I know you’re a good person. I can feel it. You won’t leave me.”

Brian leaned over and wiped the chili sauce off her cheek. Ashley’s eyes brimmed with tears and hope. He put one arm around her and she leaned into him. His hand slid from her cheek to her neck and found the steady beat of her pulse.

“I can feel your heart,” he said, making her snuggle closer. Her lips were soft when he kissed her. She trusted him. It would be so easy. Maybe he should stay a little longer.

“You okay now, Ash? Come on, I’ll walk you back to the store.”

“No, I can’t face Dick right now. He’s the worst manager ever. Or, maybe yes, let’s go back so I can quit!”

“What would you do if you quit?” Brian was seeing an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

“First, I’d sleep late and take some me time. I’ve been working since I was sixteen and I need a break.”

“Good idea. You deserve a break. Let’s go quit your job, and then we’ll celebrate!”

Ashley couldn’t believe it. He finally kissed her! She could still taste his burrito on her lips. She clung to him as they walked back through the mall. Janie from the mood ring kiosk called to her, but Ashley didn’t even hear her; all her thoughts were on Brian. Would he kiss her again? He squeezed her hand as she went into the furniture store to find the manager. Brian slid into the shadows to wait. It was only a few minutes later when she came out carrying her bag and smiling.

“Done! He didn’t even blink, said he figured I wouldn’t last. As if. Let’s go celebrate my new freedom!”

“Smoothies?”

“Ooh, yes! I want that raspberry one. Now that I’m unemployed, I don’t have to care about seeds stuck in my teeth!”

The Smoothie Soothey —Brian cringed at the name — was at the far end of the mall. Ashley talked the whole way there, holding on to Brian’s arm, gazing at him with her big puppy dog eyes. It’ll be worth it, Brian told himself. Just go with it. He had a good feeling about today. As long as he could avoid that guard, things should work out. He was almost glad that rusty old bike had broken. Now he could do what he liked best.

Ashley’s smoothie was bubble gum pink, and after the first sip her teeth were speckled with seeds. Brian’s was green. It looked revolting but tasted okay. He put his smoothie down and reached across the table to take Ashley’s hand, his thumb resting over the pulsing heartbeat in her wrist. He looked at her with the bedroom eyes he practiced in the mirror. How would he do this? There were too many people here and not enough shadows.

“Ashley, let’s get out of here. I want to hold more than your hand. I want you.”

Ashley blushed. She’d thought Brian was good looking since the first time she’d seen him: sandy blond hair hanging over his blue eyes, strong but not all muscles like some guys. A smile that was easy to return. And he was so sweet, so considerate, like buying her this smoothie. He was just what she was looking for. She picked up her smoothie, put her bag over her shoulder, and waited while Brian paid the bill.

Brian took the last twenty out of his wallet — he would need to find some money soon—and they walked into the stream of people. Later, when people were tired out and not paying attention, he’d lift a wallet or two.

“I know where we can go,” Ashley said.

She led him to a storage area on the first floor of the mall. The heavy doors shut behind them, blocking out the noise. “This place is empty all day.” She turned towards him and lifted her face, hoping for another kiss. “I come here sometimes when I need a break from all the crowds.”

“Perfect,” said Brian. He took her smoothie and put in on an empty crate next to his. He held her close, kissed her, ran his hands through her hair and down her back. “You’re perfect.” There would be no fight, no noise, just Ashley quietly succumbing to his will. It had never been easier. He kissed her again and moved his hands to her neck. One more notch in his belt, he told himself. And she had no job, lived alone. No one would notice for days. His hands closed around her throat, her windpipe under his thumbs. He squeezed, her pulse pushing against his fingers.

Ashley smiled through his kiss. It was hard to breathe, but she’d played this game before. Her hands slid around his throat. She knew she wasn’t strong enough to hurt him, but it was part of the fun. He didn’t look alarmed. Not yet.

Ashley moved her hands as if she were struggling. It was getting harder for her to breathe. She let one hand slip inside her bag before resting it on his chest. She tried to pull away, pushing against him. He played for keeps, it seemed. Well, so did she.

Brian’s eyes opened wide, startled, and his hands fell away from her throat as a knife slid between his ribs. Ashley sucked in air as Brian’s air leaked out through the punctured lung.

“What have you done?” Brian whispered.

He couldn’t breathe. Ashley kissed him one last time before he fell to the floor. Blood pooled around him. She smiled as she wiped the knife on his shirt and put it back in her bag. Another one down, she thought. No one ever suspects the sweet dumpy girl who believes in love. Best cover ever.

“Ashley, please.”

“No, Brian. Good game though. You played well, but I won.” She stepped on his chest to reach the smoothies, listening to the crunch of at least one rib. She put Brian’s drink next to him on the floor, being careful to avoid the puddle of blood. She didn’t want to leave foot prints.

At the door, she turned back. “Even if you survive, no one will believe you, you know.”

Then she left the storage area, listening for the click of the lock as the solid doors closed, and wound her way through the flow of people.

The security guard waved to her.

“Hey, Ashley? You on a break?”

“Yeah, just got a smoothie. How’s it going, Mike?”

“Quiet. But I did want to tell you; there’s a guy here. Good lookin’ young guy, blond, blue eyes. I didn’t recognize him at first, but then I remembered. He’s a serial killer, wanted in several states for killing young women. You be careful, and, if you want, I can walk you to your car when you leave.”

“Thanks, Mike. You’re sweet. I’ll keep my eyes open. I’m off early today, so it won’t be dark when I go home. I should be okay.”

“You’re one of the good ones, Ashley. I’d hate for anything to happen to you.”

Ashley smiled as he gave her a mock salute. Always be nice to cops, she thought. You never know when you’ll need them to be on your side.

Some art project was being installed near the escalator. Ashley stopped to look: bent tires, rusted out fenders. It looked like old bicycle parts being soldered together to make a sculpture. There was even a little bell at the top. Strange, she thought. I guess people see what they want to see. One man’s trash…or, one girl’s smile… She laughed to herself as she finished her smoothie and threw the cup away.

Teenagers blocked the escalator so she took the stairs. Aeropostale was on the second floor of the mall.

“Hi, are you hiring?” She smiled at the manager. He was cute: shaggy brown hair and hazel eyes. A smile that was easy to return. Just her type.