As they approached a bustling gas station, Bosco smoothly pulled off the highway and rolled up to a pump. The scent of gasoline mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the nearby diner. After filling up the tank, they decided to grab a bite to eat. The restaurant was a charming roadside diner with neon signs flickering in the windows and the sound of classic rock playing softly in the background.
Inside, the atmosphere was lively, with the clatter of dishes and the hum of conversation filling the air. They found a cozy booth by the window and ordered a hearty meal. As they ate, a man who had hitched a ride with someone else earlier slipped out and wandered over to admire Bosco’s car. His eyes gleamed with a mix of envy and desire as he took in the car’s sleek lines and luxurious interior.
When Bosco and his team finished their meal and headed back to the parking lot, the man stepped forward, his face set with determination. “This is a hold-up,” he growled, his voice low and menacing. “Don’t resist. Don’t make a scene. You and your girls may get hurt. Just hand over the car key and walk away. You and your girls will live to enjoy life.”
Bosco remained calm, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he handed over the key and stepped back, the girls following his lead. Ramduth, one of the girls, whispered urgently, “Should we not do something? He can’t do this to us.”
Bosco shook his head slightly. “Don’t worry. We will have our car. Let him go.”
Meanwhile, back at the diner, Bosco calmly led the children back inside. Through a remarkable feat of bilocation, he simultaneously appeared by the side of the road near the exit where Carlot had stopped. Carlot, now desperate and on edge, pulled a knife and brandished it at Bosco. “Don’t you come any closer! You will regret it,” he snarled.
Bosco raised his hands in a gesture of peace. “Look, brother. I mean no harm. Can I help you in any way?”
Carlot’s eyes narrowed. “Do I look like I need your help?” He pulled out a switchblade from his trouser pocket, his hand shaking slightly.
Seeing Carlot’s agitation, Bosco used his abilities to paralyze Carlot’s left hand, causing him to drop the knife. Carlot swung his right hand in a wild attempt to punch Bosco, but it too lost its strength and fell limp by his side.
“Let me help you,” Bosco said gently. “I know that you escaped from the local jail just about three hours ago. The prison guards are already on their way looking for you. Let me put in a good word for you. The motorists have already reported seeing someone matching your description driving a car belching smoke and taking this exit. They should be here any moment.”
As Bosco finished speaking, the prison guards arrived, their firearms at the ready. Bosco stood between Carlot and the guards, explaining that he had convinced Carlot to surrender peacefully. The guards moved past Bosco and took Carlot into custody.
Later, Bosco learned that Carlot had escaped from The Wall, a hideous nook in the prison away from security camera and prison guards where he had been beaten by other inmates. Desperate to escape the violence, Carlot had fled and ended up at the highway restaurant where he met Bosco and his team. Feeling a pang of compassion, Bosco used his connections to persuade the warden to transfer Carlot to another prison where he could be safe.
With the situation resolved, Bosco snapped out of the faculty of bilocation, picked up his team, and they continued their journey, the sun setting in a blaze of orange and pink on the horizon.
- Wall (The) – a designated area where inmates fight or are beaten by other inmates, usually away from security cameras and prison guards.