Melissa hung the bundle of rope on one shoulder as she nervously followed the clerk.
“Here ya go, miss.” He grabbed a jug of bleach and a bottle of rubbing alcohol but didn’t hand them to her. “I’ll bring them up to the counter for you. Was there anything else on the list, or was it just these?”
“Just these. Thank you, sir.”
He nodded and traipsed to the checkout with the two chemicals.
Melissa’s brain computed all possible options faster than she could decide on one that felt the best. Her hands shook as they neared the checkout. What to do? She couldn’t pay for any of this stuff.
The clerk set the two containers on the counter and punched in some numbers to the register.
Letting her instincts take over, Melissa grabbed the two bottles, tucked the rope under an armpit, and bolted fo
