Alone In The Darkness by Matthew Buza Read Free Book Online Page A

girl. I’m sure you have to pay someone back for this.” Steven paused and Jennifer’s heart skipped a beat. Steven considered the wager but knew that Juan would kill him just for knowing he had the girl. This was not a deal he should make. The men were nearing the front of the car. He could see their eyes focused on the girl curled up in the front seat.
    The men were too close. He locked the car, shifted into reverse, and he smashed the gas. The wheels began to spin throwing rocks and dirt into the air. The three men ahead of him fell back with their arms protecting their faces from the flying debris. The car gained traction and began to roll backwards away from the fire. He gained speed and flipped the wheel turning the car as it slid along the gravel. He shifted the car into drive and pounded the gas. The car pulled back onto the easement. Steven’s eyes focused on the road ahead of him as flashes lit up his rear view mirror. The first bullet flew over the roof of the car as the shot echoed through the trees. Jennifer screamed in fear pressing her head deep into the seat.
    Steven yelled at her putting his arm on her head forcing it down, “Stay down”. Another shot rang out and he could hear the bullet fly by the open window. He lowered his head and the car fishtailed on the gravel. He hit the gas to put distance between the flashes. Steven stared at the rearview mirror waiting for headlights to follow him down the road. He was breathing heavily and his hands were white from gripping the wheel. He hit the main easement and slid the backend of the car around the turn. The flashes stopped and he didn’t see any lights following him as he sped away to the highway. He pulled onto Highway 9 and continued north.
    Jennifer was sitting up now looking at Steven, who was glued to the road and nervously gazing at the side mirror. Steven continued down the road for a couple miles keeping his focus on any approaching lights. There were none. He relaxed and settled back into the seat.
    Jennifer said, “Are they coming for us?”
    “No. I don’t think so.”
    “Are you sure? They were shooting at us.”
    “No. I think they were just trying to scare us,” Steven knew this was a lie. He had heard the bullet scream by the window just inches from his head. He didn’t want to imagine what would have happened if they were a better shot.
    “Where are you taking me?”
    “Work.”
    “Work?”
    “They will know what to do, because I'm fresh out of ideas. My mind is fried and Tyler will know what to do. I trust him.”
    Jennifer knew now what she had suspected all night, he was never going to let her go. She began to tear up again, leaning back against the headrest. She knew that she needed to get out of the car. She had to take a chance somewhere. She thought to herself, could she throw herself out of the car? Not as this speed, she would die rolling down the embankment.
    Steven’s hair whipped about in the open window as Jennifer’s phone began to ring. He looked down to see Grandma on the screen. Jennifer’s heart raced. This was her opportunity.  She quickly moved to the phone and accepted the call. She screamed out, “Help!”
    It was all she could muster before Steven took the phone and threw it out the window. It hit the ground along the grassy swale glowing softly as the car sped on.
    “Stupid bitch!” Steven was furious and ground his hands into the wheel. He knew they would be looking for her now. This complicated things even more.
    “You promised to let me go. Just pull over and I will get out. Just let me go,” Jennifer cried.
    Steven didn’t answer. His anger was crowding out any clear judgment. He was focused on getting to work and having Tyler help solve this.
    “She wanted to know where I am. I should be home by now.” His face seethed with anger.
    He pressed the gas and the car accelerated forward. The car sped on moving through the columns of tall pines. The road was empty as they crested over small