As the gang chilled beneath the evening sky, a gentle breeze rustled through the lost and found valley.

“I have never felt so free!” announced Max.

Elles joined in: “I’m still not sure if this is really happening, it’s like I’m dreaming,” she stared peacefully at the circling white clouds in the sky.

“This is the life,” Chris added, eating a huge slice of cake.

Bryan returned with more snacks from the dusty vehicle parked nearby. He tossed some to Elles, “That’s the last of it – today we’ve eaten too much of everything!” he dropped down onto the ground.

Nick grinned, “I really enjoyed that food we had, guys. I wish we could eat like this every day till we die!”

Chris raised himself up to look at them. “Enjoy it while it last, tomorrow we are robbing banks!”

“What happened to looking for a job?” Nick asked, rolling towards Chris.

“No one hires minors,” Bryan joined the conversation, “if we need to survive and live the lifestyle we want, we are going to have to hustle!”

This was news to the rest of the gang! They had never expected this on the journey.

“Good luck boys,” laughed Elles, “because I’m not getting shot tomorrow!”

“No one is getting shot!” announced Chris as he stood up to head back to the car, followed closely by Storm, the dog.

In the early hours, Bryan decided to stop over at Mike’s flat so that he could join them on the run. Chris drove around the local shopping mall with the pick-up truck. He wore a news-boy hat pulled down low, shading his face. Finally, he pulled up the handbrake. The gang put on their masks and chose a retail store.

With his rifle, Chris shot the foot of the security guard at the door, which got everybody’s attention. Elles packed sweets, drinks, snacks, and other groceries. The boys dragged camping equipment across to the door. Chris walked from one cash register to the next, aiming his gun at the manager, who was filling a bag with cash. Storm barked at every customer who tried to phone the cops from the floor.

“Someone make sure they grab something for Storm!” Chris announced, with one hand already stuffing things into his old jacket.

Bryan and Mike helped the gang unload everything into the back of the truck and they all rushed back with empty bags. Nick worked with some of the staff to carry a 12-inch flat screen; Max came back for all his favourite movies and packed every game box he could see.

The Police finally arrived on the scene as Bryan and Mike rushed back to alert the crew.

“Everyone the cops are here… lets hit it!” Bryan shouted.

Scouting for each man, Chris, with his overloaded jacket, tossed Nick the cash bag and then waited for the gang to regroup. They all looked to Chris, the man with the gun.

“Everyone on the floor!” Chris shouted, reloading against the wall. He peeked at the cops outside.

An Officer shouted: “Okay kids the fun is over, we know you’re down there!” he stood near the front of the shop, backed up by two cops who stood a distance apart.

The scene had caused a crowd to form. An ambulance siren wailed a mile away.

Chris locked his target and aimed at the officer.

“You don’t want to do this the hard way, boys!” he was unarmed and a hot shot suddenly set his chest alight. The crowd went on the rampage as people ran for cover. One cop rushed over to remove the wounded officer.

“One down, I need a distraction!” Chris, breathing hard, crouched down next to his friends.

“Why don’t we just surrender?” asked Elles, disheartened by the turn of events.

Bryan agreed enthusiastically. “That’s a great idea!” they moved together and lifted their hands high.

One officer trained his gun on the kids. The gang watched the chaos on the verge outside, as another officer rushed the injured man to his police vehicle. The armed officer kept his eye on the kids, holding them at gunpoint.

Caught off-guard by a sudden shot, the police officer lost hold of his gun and it clattered to the ground! Chris aimed at the officer’s shoulder with a second shot. The kids ran to the truck and waited for Chris, who claimed the 9mm and shot back at the other cops who were now advancing from the parking lot.

Mike backed the truck closer for Chris and Storm to jump in and then the van lunged forward at the gates.

*****

Before sunset, the kid’s parents issued a press release led by Jen, Emma, and Max’s mother, Julie.

“How did you learn about your kid’s escape?” asked Mandy, the reporter, from across the flash-lit room.

Jen Answered. “I mean, they always escaped during day time, but when we could not find them late last night, I knew we had lost them!” She looked towards the group, hoping for a question from a different reporter.

Mandy continued with her questioning. “Where did your son get the gun he used earlier today to shoot at the cops?”

“I don’t know because his dad does not keep a gun anymore!” Jen said, looking at her husband from the front.

From her chair, Mandy asked her final question: “When are you planning on getting your kids back home?”

“As soon as we know where they are!” Emma’s voice cracked in grief and pain. “Please, help us to find our kids.”

After that, the police escorted them out with several of the other reporters’ questions remaining unanswered.

***

Tell us what you think: Why do you think Chris is such a bully?