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They had just turned a corner when their Target saw them and started to run.
Joe: "He is running."
Joe started to give chase, leaving Nicky and Nile behind.
Joe shouting: "Hi, you idiot. You can't outrun me."
The Target shouting back: "You can't catch me, Old Man."
Joe, shouting and a bit offended: "Old Man? Just wait till I get my hands on you."
Nicky looked at Nile before he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Nicky: "Let him burn off some energy."
Nile: "But the Target?"
Nicky: "Do you really fancy running in this heat?"
Nile looked up at the clear blue sky. It was 105˚F today.
Nile: "Now that you say it, so what do we do?"
Nicky: "We go around. Come."
Nile followed Nicky. When they walked by a store that sold cold beverages, Nicky stopped.
Nicky to the young girl behind the counter: "3 peach iced tea and a bag of ice if you got one left. Oh, and can I get the straws in three different colours? It makes it a bit easier to tell who is who."
It didn't take long before they left the store. Outside, Nicky handed Nile one of the iced teas, along with a yellow straw, while he took the green straw, leaving the pink one for Joe, as it was one of his favourite colours.
Nile: "Thanks. I think I have figured it out. The reason why you and Joe went for a walk yesterday was so you could plan this. Or am I wrong?"
They turned a corner.
Nicky: "You're right, but we were also searching for a place so we could dance."
Nile: "By the look on your faces when you snuck in this morning, I say you had a very fun night."
Nicky: "We had, yes, but it's between us. This way."
Nile followed Nicky down an alleyway.
Nicky: "Do you mind holding the iced tea and the ice?"
Nile: "Not at all."
Nile took the tray with the iced tea and the ice.
Nile: "I get the iced tea. Joe is going to need it after running around in this damn heat, but what is the ice for?"
Nicky looked at his clock before he peeked around the corner.
Nicky: "You'll see in 52 seconds or so. Depends on how fast they are running."
Nicky picked up a board and swung it, 52 seconds later, hitting the Target in his ribs, knocking out the air of the man, who fell to the ground in pain. Then Nicky took the bag of ice from Nile and offered it to the Target.
Nicky to the Target: "You might want to put the ice on your ribs. It will help with the bruises."
Nile: "Impressive and well-planned."
The Target placed the bag of ice on his ribs just as Joe came around the corner.
Joe, out of breath: "Old Man? Told you I would catch you."
Nile with a smirk: "To me, it looked like it was Nicky who caught The Target. Not you."
Joe still out of breath: "It is called teamwork. I was the one who ran him tired, and Nicky caught him."
Nicky placed a kiss on Joe's cheek before handing him the pink straw and the iced tea.
Joe: "Thanks, Babe. And for the iced tea."
Joe took two big sips of the iced tea.
Nicky: "Don't mention it, and you did well as always. You'll get an extra reward tonight when we're alone."
Joe smiled one of the smiles which told Nile she didn't want to know more.
Joe: "Can't wait, but first we need to deal with him."
They looked at the Target, who was still groaning in pain. Joe took another sip of the iced tea before handing it to Nile.
Joe to the Target: "Don't know why you're complaining. My man didn't hit you that hard. If he wanted to hit you hard, you wouldn't wake up before next year."
Nile with a smirk: "Which is tomorrow."
Joe turned around and looked at Nile.
Joe: "Why are you after me today?"
Nile: "Because you ate my Twizzlers. It was my last packet."
Nicky: "Could you solve it later? We need to get out of here before the rush hour starts."
Joe and Nicky dragged the Target over to the car, where they threw him into the back seat. Then Joe and Nicky sat down, so The Target sat in the middle while Nile drove to the safe house where the others were waiting for them.