Chapter 4

While he was trying to think, he heard the faint sound of sirens from a distance.

"The cops!" He says as he hurriedly rushes to pack the things he bought and any other thing he could carry. He puts on the mask and cap and with a huge black unused garbage bag, takes everything he can from the store. About to leave, he takes a look back at the lifeless body whose head was haloed by the growing circle of blood around it. Unable to do anything, he walks out the door with the jingling of the tiny bells bidding him farewell.

*** Nighttime on the street ***

    It's been a week since Jacob has been on the run. With his beard grown into a rough light stubble, he moves around almost aimlessly. With his hood and mask on, he walks along the sidewalk periodically illuminated as he walks past the row of street lights. It's past midnight now and the normal bustling nightlife of the city is almost totally dwindled out, with only a few people sparsely distributed here and there. The roads are virtually lonely with cars passing very rarely.

Spotting a street bench, he walks over there and takes a seat.

"Grrrwwoww" his stomach growls almost immediately after he sits. He looks up at the night sky, wondering how it all went wrong.

"How did I turn out like this?" He asks himself as the growl of his stomach interrupts him yet again. "I need to get something to eat" he mutters with his arm wrapped around his belly as he gets up from the bench. Seeing the neon sign of a bar not too far away, just across the street, he crosses the deserted road and walks over.

Approaching the bar, muffled music can be heard emanating from behind the two glass doors. He walks over and tries to take a peek through the doors, whose glass sort of blurs the vision. Unable to make out a clear image, he pushes the door open, only to be met with deafening music. He walks in and takes a quick look around. There are guys of all sorts around. Most of them are big and jocky with tattoos all over their arms and chests. It's a bit foggy in here as a lot of the guys in here are smoking. He makes his way to the counter and takes a seat on one of the stools. On both sides, there are people ordering drinks and food from the bartender and so he just stays quiet.

Just as he waits for a chance to ask the bartender for some help, a pretty brunette walks up to the counter and sits on the stool right beside his. She's dressed in a white crop top and ripped denim bum shorts. Her hair is long and she's a little tan with honey-brown eyes. Jacob avoids looking. He can never be too careful at this point.

"Yo Marcus," she says beckoning at the bartender, an Irish-looking orange-bearded middle-aged man, who walks over.

"What can I do you for, m'lady?" He asks in a comically polite way.

"I want Brandy, two glasses for me and my pal over here," she says as she taps Jacob on the shoulder. Turning his head to the side, he looks at her. She's gorgeous as hell! Though that's the least of his concerns at this point.

"Sure thing,that’s totally fine . Any other thing  else?" The bartender asks.

"Uhmmm, you can get me a sandwich along with that," she says and then turns to Jacob, "What would you like?" She asks. He is taken aback at this question but capitalizes on the opportunity.

"Anything would be okay" he replies in a quiet voice.

"Alright then" she responds as she turns back to the bartender, "Get two sandwiches then along with the drinks," she says.

"On it, ma'am," Marcus says as he tips the little fedora on his head and goes to get their order. ( Seriously, it's little).

"Thanks," Jacob says without looking at her.

"Nah, it's alright," she says, "What's up with you though? You don't look so good" she enquires.

"It's a long story" he replies, "I'd rather not talk about it" he adds.

"Alright then, I ain't gonna pry," she says, "I'm Mia by the way," she says as she reaches out for a handshake.

"Jacob" he responds as he receives the handshake.

"Nice to meet you, Jacob," she says, "It seems like......."

"Dring! Dring!" The ringing of her phone interjects her.

"Sorry, I gotta take this," she says as she picks it up. "Hello.......... already?......Yes.....Okay, I'll be there in a minute" she says as she hangs up. "I have to go now," she says as she drops some cash right in front of him, "See ya later," she says as she dashes towards the door and leaves.

Just then, the bartender returns with the order and is surprised to see her seat vacant. He glances around for a second and then, as his eyes return to Jacob,

"Where'd she go?" He asks.

"She got a call and said she had to leave urgently for some reason" he replies with a shrug. Just then, the bartender drops the tray on the counter and squinting his eyes, begins to stare intently at Jacob who still had his head down.

"Hey man, don't I know you from somewhere?" He asks, "You look familiar," he says. Jacob on hearing this, desperately avoids making eye contact, bending his head downwards as much as he can.

"Probably not. I'm new around town" he says. The bartender stares at him a bit more until some other guys at the bar notice him. Standing up, they walk up to him, nearly surrounding him. One of the men, then suddenly pulls off his cap, exposing his face.

"Wait a minute...It's the guy from the news! The killer!" An old man sitting on one of the stools says as he points his wrinkly finger at him in an accusatory manner.