Storyteller's Universe // Seeking Asylum
Papers Please
Shae:
“Random traffic control stop, they’ll recognize you.”
I fucking jump and almost swerve into a barrier.
Carla:
“For fucks sake Shae, don’t scare me like this!”
Shae:
“S-sorry!”
I grab the rearview mirror and adjust it back to look at the road behind us. Exactly as I do so, Shae ducks out of the view and the police car behind us turns on its lights and signal.
Carla:
“No, I’m sorry, you’re fine. I should’ve been focusing. My book’s in the backpack under my seat, please grab it for me.”
I turn on the emergency blinkers and turn into a slipway to some random highway-side gas station. In the corner of my vision I see a meerkat paw holding a leather-bound book.
Carla:
“Thank you.”
I grab the book from her and put it in my lap. Shae isn’t saying anything, everything must be good then. I park in a truck spot, the policemen park quite a bit behind us.
Turning around I see Shae, she doesn’t look too scared, that’s reassuring. I give her a little smile, I’ve got this. I grab my phone and hand it to her.
Carla:
“Send a message to Haji to disable their radio.”
I look back at the book and the sigil on its cover. Feels weak, I hope it’s got enough juice. I see a beagle in a police uniform with some reflective yellow bits on it approaching in the side mirror. I open the book, instinctively on a correct page. I rip it out and not a moment later it combusts into bright smoke and ash.
Knock on the window, I pull it down.
Carla:
“Heeeey officer, now that all my documents are all good and the breathalyzer showed a zero, am I free to go?”
The beagle looks dumbfounded for a second, before shaking their head.
Policeman:
“Yes, I suppose so… Everything’s in order, you’re free to go. Sorry for bothering you.”
I smile a forced smile and close the window. Shae hands me back my phone.
Shae:
“Sorry.”
Carla:
“What for?”
I look at the message she sent. Nothing’s wrong with it and Haji confirmed radio’s scrambled. Fuck, I don’t have time for this, I throw the phone onto the shotgun seat. The beagle is entering the police car, that’s my cue to run. I put the car into gear and drive off as fast as the speed limit allows and then some. Confusion and disabled radio will buy me some time, but I cannot afford for them to catch up to us. I look in the rearview mirror and Shae’s gaze meets mine.
Carla:
“Anything else I should know?”
Shae:
“We’re fine, for now.”
Carla:
“Perfect. Do let me know if anything comes up, m’kay?”
She nods. We’re back on the highway, going about forty above what my car can tolerate. I take the first slipway onto a perpendicular highway and a couple minutes later another one off of the highway and into a nearby town. I slow down back to reasonable speed and try not to look like I’m driving aimlessly.
Carla:
“We should be fine”
Shae lets out an affirmative whimper.
Carla:
“You did good, you know? Saved my ass again. You’re incredible.”
She just sinks into the seat.