3 | aisles

                                    

                                          
It was difficult to fall asleep here, but I finally did and after an hour, I wake up. Sao was gone, and I was the only one in the break room. 
I stand up and go to the door. Maybe if it was busy enough, I could blend in with people and ask for help.
I exit the room and start walking down the aisles, scouring for Sao or Noah. There was still so much time left of this shift, I can't imagine staying here any longer. I was hungry and I needed to pee.
I walk through the Walmart, trying to find the bathroom first. I'm sure he won't mind me going to the bathroom then getting food. I'll make sure to go to his register so he can just give it to me. Maybe. 
I finally find the restroom, then I go to the chip aisle, grabbing a family-size bag of potato kettle chips before cautiously making my way to the front.
My steps were heavy, like the closer I got, the more danger I was in. But whatever happened, someone would be there.
I spot him, and go into his line. He was ringing up a young girl, and that young girl was feeding right into him.
I wonder who she'll be.
He then spots me, and his mouth parts in shock before he turns back to the girl. I watch as she reaches into her pocket, typing out letters as he speaks. 
After she gets his number, she leaves, and then I'm up next.
"Is this it?"
"Mhm," I mumble.
"Alright 2.46."
"Noah I don't have any money..."
He groans, then takes the bag of chips before shoving them into my chest, "I'm already pissed that you're out here. Now go back before I have to get someone to babysit you."
"I was hungry."
"Go. Back," He grits through his teeth.
I nod, then turn on my heels, almost running into an old man's cart as I speed walk back.
As I walked back I got looks from little kids, babies, and even parents. I didn't look that bad, I looked in the mirror while I was in the bathroom.
My hair was just choppy, I had no makeup and I had a bruise on my cheek. It's not that bad.
When I went back into the break room, Sao was still not there, so I set the bag of chips on the table then walked out.
I had to be smart about this, I couldn't act crazy or whatever in the movies, I had to act civil so they would believe me. Or do I act crazy? I don't know, okay? I've never done this before.
I go into an aisle in the back, then spot a middle-aged man with a cart of groceries. I take a deep breath, then walk up to him.
"Excuse me?"
He whips his head around.
"Can I possibly use your phone? I am in trouble."
He furrows his brow, "Sure I suppose."
He then pulls his phone out, typing in the password before he hands it to me. I didn't think we'd get this far.
I go to the phone app then type in my mom's phone number. The phone rings and rings and rings and rings, but there was no answer.
"Shit," I mumble.
"You okay lady?"
"Um," My voice quivers, "Not really. I think I've been kidnapped, but the kidnapper is someone I like and trust."
"Okay um," He starts, slowly holding his hand out. I place the phone in his hand as he looks around, "Do you want me to help you out of here?"
I nod, "Yes, thank you, thank you so much. I just need to get someone first okay?"
"Is there more?"
"One more."
He nods, mumbling something before speaking up, "Okay well I'll be here okay? Be quick."
I nod fast, then spin on my heel, I walk fast out the aisle, then turn a hard left, almost running into that same stupid coat.
"I heard your conversation."
I stand there frozen, unable to say anything as he turns his head to me. His eyes were full of tears and his hands were trembling, "Why would you leave me?"
"Noah I-"
"You wanted to leave me!" He cried, lunging toward me then dropping his head to my shoulder as he grabs the sides of my arm, "You weren't even going to say goodbye."
I didn't know what to do, I was frozen in place, my brain was stunted, and my feet were glued to the ground. And my eyes, they wouldn't leave Sao who was just staring at me from 20 feet ahead.
"We're leaving," He then says quietly before he pulls his head up. His eyes were red and his cheeks were too. His lashes were bound together with the moisture and his lips were cracked.
As he takes my hand and starts to drag me off, I finally feel my voice free again, "What about your shift?"
"Fuck my shift. Clearly babysitting you is more of a full-time job than this shit."
He pulls me past Sao, then he starts following us to the front. No one seemed to notice the employee dragging a customer out, and no one seemed to care. It was like we were invisible to everyone.
When we get to the car, he pushes me again the door, slaps me across the face, then throws me into the backseat. Sao climbs in unharmed.
"Why not him too!" I scream as he gets into the driver's seat, "He was out too!"
"Yeah but he's not a stupid bitch like you! He actually enjoys being here."
I put my face into my hands and sob. Why wouldn't I just call 911 when I got the chance? What did I think my mom would do? How stupid could I be?
I cried the entire 10 minutes back home, then when we pulled into the driveway, he opened the backseat, grabbed me by the top of my hair, and yanked me out of the car. I yelped as my knees hit the ground. Why was he being so cruel?
"Stand up." He demands.
I curl my body up, hiding my head so he couldn't grab me.
"Stand up!" He yells again, "Sao go inside."
I pick my head up as he kneels down. He picks up my chin and tilts his head like a dog as his eyes stare into mine. They were softer now, like he'd switched personalities, "Listen. If you keep crying like this, you'll never get what you want. Now give me a smile."
I gulp, then show my teeth.
"There you go," He praises, "You're so pretty when you smile. Let's do that from now on."
I swallow, gasping for the air I lost while I was holding my breath. He then helps me up, and brings me inside.
When we step onto the hard floor, he sighs then steps in front of me, "But we still need to punish you."
"Please no," I say, my voice breaking again.
He nods, then takes my hand and pulls me over to the same dark room he put the dogs in.
"I don't want to put you in here, but you're too smart for your own good. It'll only be for a little until you learn your lesson."
I shake my head as he opens the door. But it was just an empty room. An empty room with mirrors along the walls and ceiling, all of different shapes and sizes.
"I'll take you out when you've talked some sense into yourself."
And with that, he pushes me in, closes the door, and locks it.