Tears streamed from his eyes. In a choked whisper he spoke, "I know your safe I'll be there darlin just you wait for me." Shawn took a hard swallow and stood up. He looked at the map and folded it slowly. Taking the magazine he took off the scout he emptied the ammo and loaded the magazine a total of eight rounds of solid lead. It would do. He stepped off and made his way to the department store. 

From the outside Shawn tapped on the doors and waited a moment. Nothing. Taking his gun tucked into his pants as he mad his way in. By now the emergency lights had run out of power. Only the dim light from the outside was streaming inside. Shawn's nerves told him it was a bad idea to venture to far in. He agreed. Thanks to marketing the store had placed all the woman's apparel in the front of the store. Shawn unintentionally took a moment to appreciate what new clothes looked like. Never stained in blood or brains. Undonning his pack to carefully place some of the clothes inside. He knew her size and taste in apparel. Darting around the store taking one item then moving to another. The display case was locked, taking a second to look around he wrapped the gun in a sweater top and smashed the glass. He took a his and her perfume set and decided it was enough. "Time to go." Was the thought he had but some one else said it. 

Turning around he saw two guys with guns. They were dirty and had the look of being out too long. Shawn's mind raced for options as they talked. He was grateful for small favors. There were none, he was careless. "Hey fellas. Look I'm just getting some clothes for my little girl." Maybe they would let him lead them to a fake location buy him a chance. 

The guys chuckled. "Little girl eh? Just love that. Rick, search him." 

Shawn looked at the leader. Thin like eating was hard and his belt was holing his clothes on. Matted blonde hair and scraggly beard. About five foot ten and machinest thin. The guy coming up was dark hair about six foot even and just as thin. Now that shawn had stopped focusing on clothes both of them smelled like a gym locker with something dead inside. Shawn was going to use his army training. the dark haired guy approached Shawn who had his hands in the air. 

"Wait Rick. You turn the fuck around." Shawn complied. 

As Shawn felt the cuff on his wrist he spun around at the same time turning on his heel twisting Ricks arm behind his own back. Now Shawn stood behind the guy with Ricks arm pinned between them. Shawn took out his gun and put it to Ricks side. Shawn only had time to smile as the shot rang out. The bullet struck Rick and went through. Shawn felt the pain and took a step back. The blonde ran off as Rick fell. Shawn was left standing there bleeding. 

He knelt down bleeding taking off his pack and jacket to look at the wound. "Shit." Shawn put a sirt offf the rack and wound it up like a towel. Putting it in his mouth he took a deep breath before putting his finger in the hole. The round hit one of the ribs it was slow enough from Rick that the rib caught it. Didn't make it hurt any less. Removing his finger from the wound he whimpered and groaned from the pain. There really wasn't munch to make a bandage worth a damn. Shawn searched Rick for anything useful. A knife, a section of metal pipe, a single poker chip, was all he had. Shawn spit on him for not having a handcuff key. Shaw cuffed the other side onto the first loop of the cuffs. Re donning his jacket and pack he got to his feet. "Time to get back. Can't keep her waiting." 

Shawn looked at his watch, almost noon. By the time he made it back she would be there, ready for dinner.