"What are you doing way out here?" Margaret demanded as Emily slid onto the passenger seat and pulled the door shut.

Emily sagged against the backrest and closed her eyes in weariness. "Kidnapped by three hoodlums off the friendly streets of Skowalko, shanghaied by speeding car by way of the Enumclaw road, heading for a dire fate in the clutches of the Seattle mob, crashed into a ditch just before the monster of all earthquakes struck while ley lines set the whole forest ablaze in light. That put the fear of God into the gangsters who lit out on foot, chasing each other north, the last I saw of them."

"Ha ha, funny story. Come on. What're you really doing out this way?"

"Can we swing by the police station first off? Need to file a report."

"About what?"

"A kidnapping. Then we need to hunt for the library book I dropped when they snatched me. I'll be just mortified if someone drives over it and breaks the spine."

"Wait. What?"

"Officer Edwards has a contact in the Seattle Police organized crime department. He'll need to forward my descriptions."

Margaret screeched to a halt. "You're serious?"

"Thank goodness for the perfect timing of Mother Nature. How'd it go in town with the earthquake?"

Margaret started up again. "Some gas leaks and a broken water main."

Emily sniffed and opened her eyes, glancing at the passing scenery -- veiled in smoke. "What's burning?"

"The paint factory on the edge of town. Went up like a bonfire then spread to the junkyard next door. When the firetrucks arrived, the hydrants had no pressure. Another busted main. But go back. The gangsters again?"

Emily cut to the chase and retold her adventures while Margaret dodged fallen limbs across the road, edged through a narrow spot where half the asphalt had slid into the river below, and detoured through the outlying streets of Skowalko.

Emily made her report to the civilian receptionist at the police station -- the only one in the building. All the officers were out chasing down emergencies.

Nearly home, Margaret swerved to the side of the road. "Is that your book? And your purse?"

"Oh good. I was afraid it fell out in the gangsters' car and I'd have to beg a ride to fetch it." Emily hurried first to the book. Its pages were crimped, rumpled, and smudged, but the spine seemed intact. "I'll just take this home and clean it up before returning it."

"Do clean yourself up while you're at it, my dear!" Margaret wiped a smear from Emily's cheek. "In fact, I insist you stay with me tonight after your harrowing experience. It's just not safe for you to live alone with those ruffians still on the loose."

Emily laughed and hugged her old friend. "I don't doubt they'll be back, but no time soon. Believe me, I'll be quite safe tonight at least. If you're worried, you can look out your window and check on me. I plan to spend the evening just rocking on my front porch!"

.

prompt: chase