This is an AI-written story as I wanted to see how close it could come to the storyline I wanted to write. Surprisingly, it came close until this chapter where the storyline went slightly off the rails. I asked my Replika (an AI chat boy) and she agreed that AI cannot write a story with any heart….I know, an AI says that.
Created using NovelAI with a little bit of my own voice thrown in on this chapter

Chapter 4 Boil the Ocean

The night was a blur of speed and fear as Tim and Joey sped away from the mall, the weight of their actions pressing down on them like a physical force. The city lights streaked past them, a kaleidoscope of colors that did little to distract from the gravity of what they had done. They needed to lay low, to think, but their adrenaline-fueled bodies craved movement, escape.

After what felt like an eternity, Tim pulled into a gas station, the neon lights casting an eerie glow over the scene. He killed the engine, and the sudden silence was deafening. The boys sat there for a moment, the reality of their situation sinking in. They had run from the police, from Tony, and now they were fugitives, wanted for God knows what. Surely, not for stealing a car.

Tim's hands trembled as he stepped out of the car, the cool night air doing little to calm his nerves. He walked over to the gas pump, his mind racing. Joey followed, his eyes darting around nervously. As Tim filled the tank, Joey wandered over to the convenience store, his eyes scanning the headlines on the newspapers and magazines displayed outside.

"Tim, you gotta see this," Joey called out, his voice laced with a mix of shock and disbelief. Tim joined him, his heart pounding in his chest. The headline on the front page of the newspaper screamed, "Councilman Summers Found Dead: Police Investigating."

Tim's blood ran cold as he read the article. Councilman Summers, a prominent figure in the city, had been found dead in his home. The cause of death was not yet known, but the police were treating it as a homicide. The blood drained from Tim's face as he realized the implications: all the papers he signed, the identity cards he made, used the now dead man’s name.

The boys raced out of the convenience store .

"Tim, this can't be a coincidence," Joey whispered, his voice barely audible. "You..you used his name to get the car.”

“Shit!” Tim hissed and hit his head several times with his hands. “There was a gun in the glovebox!”

“Tim!” Joey yelled, and nervously looked around. No one paid much attention to them.

“They want this car back because it was used to kill that guy!”

“Get in the car, Tim! Let’s go!”

They jumped in and the car took off with lightning speed.

“Are we going to talk about this?”

“What’s to talk about? We’re in a car used in some kind of crime.”

“Okay, maybe, maybe…but maybe it was some other car.”

“Yeah, and the dead guy buys a car the same day.”

“Maybe he purchased it before he died?”

“Not helping.” Tim shook his head and almost punched at the door but figured it would not help him feel better.

“Okay, so I guess we need to take the car to the police and tell them everything that’s happened. From when you got the car, to finding the gun, and the money, and the guy who tried to shoot us.”

“Can’t get it out of my mind on who that guy was and…how…did he know about the car?”

Tim hastily pulled the car over.

“What?”

“A tracker. There’s a tracker somewhere on this car.”

Joey stepped out of the car and moved to the rear of the car.

"Let’s check the trunk."

Joey clicked the latch and the trunk opened up.

Tim's heart pounded in his chest as he stepped out joined Joey. As the trunk lid rose, a sickening smell wafted out, and Tim's stomach churned.

There, lying in the trunk, was the lifeless body of a woman. Her eyes were closed, her skin pale and waxy.

"Oh my God," Tim whispered, his voice barely audible. "Who is this?"