First Line Stories Week 2- Stranded

Kathy Neilsen

Word Count 738 

Slipping silently through the outstretched branches he hugged rough bark, watching the woman with interest. She stood next to a huge Mercedes with a traitorous flat tire; it crippled them both. Seth smiled at her helplessness. Opportunity had presented itself and he would most definitely take the gift.

Using the darkness of ancient trees, Seth moved slowly, carefully forward, advancing to his destination. He moved from tree to tree silently dodging low hanging branches. A cool breeze ruffled dark hair as the stalker came within a few yards of the unknowing woman. He gazed longingly at her. Tall and thin with flowing blond hair; gold and diamonds seemed at home on her fingers neck and ears.

She stood calmly, staring at the flat tire, then in both directions along the road. He could see her analyzing the situation. Seth smiled as he realized she had no idea of her true predicament. He looked up through the canopy at a sky, its clear brightness fading. The sun was approaching the horizon. Soon it would be dark...he'd wait, he could do it. As he shifted himself for a better view, a branch hidden beneath the forest fodder snapped, betraying his position. He stood motionless praying the sound had not reached the blond.

Vicki cursed her sister, her car and her impulsiveness at rushing up here alone. Now she was stranded with a flat tire, no cell reception and a setting sun. If someone didn't come along soon she'd be forced to spend the night in her car. The snap of a branch from across the road caught her attention. She examined the tree line. Her vision could not penetrate the darkness within and instincts demanded a quick retreat. She stood her ground though, common sense telling her it was nothing more than an animal sniffing along the forest floor. Pushing fear to the back of her mind she wrapped her arms around thin shoulders as a cool breeze swept along the deserted road. Without realizing, she moved closer to the car door.

Seth held his breath as the blond looked in his direction. He knew he wasn't visible in the dark shelter of the trees, but he didn't know how she'd react. She stood her ground; for a moment, watchful and alert. Then she moved towards the car door but nothing more. He liked her foolish confidence. She was going to be fun. He smiled at his good fortune.

As the darkness approached he felt energized and confident. He couldn't wait any longer and with a recklessness born of arrogance he stepped boldly from the cover of trees, striding purposefully towards the car and the woman.

 Vicki turned and was startled into motionlessness. A man, tall and powerfully built was crossing the road. He moved confidently towards her and her instincts demanded retreat. But there was no where to go except the car. Afraid to turn her away, Vicki's hand groped helplessly along the smooth solid steel, searching frantically for the handle. Her heart hammered in her chest, where is that damn handle her mind demanded as her hand failed to locate anything that would allow safe entry to the car.

As the man neared the middle of the road Vicki started to panic. Should she risk looking away for just a second or would her hand land on the handle she so desperately searched for? She had no time to analyze the question as instinct told her to look away just for a second, just a moment to find the handle, just a moment. She turned her head towards the car, panic blinded her vision but her ears worked perfectly. Vicki knew the pounding of foot steps was leading the tall dark maniac quickly towards her. Where is that handle? She thought frantically, there her hand found it...the handle.

She yanked opened the door as a hand grabbed her from behind. She didn't think, only reacted. She swung wildly. Her elbow came in contact with something soft. A grunt followed and the hand loosened its grip. She threw herself into the car and swung the door shut but something kept it from closing. She looked at the man beyond the window and realized his arm was caught between the door and the car, the hand reaching towards her. Her grip on the handle tightened as the sound of sirens penetrated her panic. In the front windshield red lights flashed.