Thump, thump, thump.

Every time the truck went over a hole in the road it vibrated, random change jingling in the cup holder. However many minutes had passed by and the bumpy trek became somewhat soothing to Leah. It was like an old fashion baby swing, clicking each time it changed directions. Slowly but surely the wad of disturbance dissolved and she found herself leaning back in exhaustion.

Out the window she could finally see some sign of civilization; late night customers ambling from one neon sign to another. It made her a little easier in the stomach seeing she wasn't smack dab in the middle of the woods. Even more so, she was clear of dusty ol Elk Village.

Her eyes went over to Daniel who was one handed steering and chewing at his lip. It was the closest she'd been to him since she whacked him in the head. Now that she could catch his appearance fully, there was no missing the fact that he had a great bone structure, not too manly and not too soft. There was a hint of honesty sparkling behind his brownie bite eyes, and he was hiding some pretty muscular arms beneath his tshirt.

She thanked her lucky stars she hadn't been kidnapped or felt up yet. But a little birdie told her she wouldn't have to worry about that. So she Readjusted herself and cleared her throat to grab his attention. "Um, are you always this quiet?"

He cocked his head at her, "Only on certain occasions."

"Like?"

"I figured you had fallen asleep."

"Oh me? Nope," she crossed her hands on her lap, spinning her thumbs around one another. There was an awkward break in the cab of the truck. In fact, she swore she heard him gulp a nervous swallow. Then again, it might have been her.

"Will it be much longer?" She asked.

"Maybe ten minutes?"

"Wow I really flew out there."

"Sure did, ever consider Nascar?"

She hummed a low laugh, "Maybe once."

"You're a killer."

"What?"

His brow fluffed, "I said you'd be a killer."

"Oh right." Reminding herself that he was a stranger and not someone accusing her of some kind of terror, she exhaled the sign of anxiety flashing in the night. It was a hard thing to do sometimes. Some days were easier than others. Ever since her ordeal with the stranger had begun, it was even harder to stay focused.

"So how did the accident happen?" It was raining and not a calm autumn rain. The drops that fell hit the ground with an angry smack, leaking a poisonous tune.

"I was just having one of those days. I got in my car and I guess I was so deep in thought that I didn't seen the dammed thing."

"What about the body?" It was terrible how quick the pigment began to drain. So still, so lifeless. There was a deep and dark glaze over its eyes, one that longed to be revived. But death had already taken that one...

"I didn't see it after it hit my car, or I hit it. It probably took off, I hear deer can survive a hit from a car."

Leah rolled her tongue against the roof of her mouth and rubbed her neck. Her crazy little memory was playing tricks on her. She was without a doubt ready for the night to come to an end.

"They sure can." The truck came to an idle at a red light and Daniel stretched his neck to the side, cracking it in a second. His chest puffed out in relief, "So do you live with like a boyfriend,  husband or an older brother?"

I live with my dog, she joked in her head. It wasn't a question she had learned to answer right away. In fact, it was one that constantly rose a red flag. Men only seemed to ask that question for three reasons, to come back and rob you, to make sure nobody would miss you if you didn't come home, or to see if you were single. She prayed it was the latter. There was no energy for any other option.

Her little emeralds she called eyes met up with his. Imagining them as daggers, she poked them at him,  "Why do you ask?"

He held up a hand, "If looks could kill! I was just wondering."

Her body didn't ease, "Why?"

Daniel kept his attention locked on her, "Well if you have either a boyfriend or husband, the last thing I need is for you to show up in my truck.  And a brother might beat me up for not having you home before eight." He laughed at himself, "I'm just trying to be considerate."

Leah tried not to Crack a smile. If he was being honest, it was a nice gesture to assume she wasn't single as can be. And even if she lived with her grumpy older brother,  he could care less if she came home late, or at all.

"No I don't live with either of those." She swallowed and watched the stoplight turn green, "I live alone." Very alone, so alone, no deadly alone- except for dear old Beo. No boyfriend,  husband or any other man.

"Oh, I see." The truck moved forwards, resuming it's rattling roll over the asphalt.

"Hey, why didn't you ask if I lived with my father? Aren't fathers supposed to be protective of their little girls?"

Daniel kept his eyes on the road, "Cause I know he hates you."

Her head snapped in an uncomfortable position, moisture in her mouth drying up, "What did you say?"

"He hates you for what you did."

Leah felt a shaking in her back. Her heart beat increased and her palms began to sweat. She stared at him, bold eyes preparing to either tear him a new one or cry, or maybe both. "Why, why would you say that?"

"Say what?"

"Just now," her lip trembled.

Daniel turned to her, rolling the steering wheel as he pulled the truck to the side of the road, "Why are you shaking?" He furrowed his brows, watching her closely.

Leah looked down at her hands. They were sweaty, shaking vigorously. Her Whole body had an achy tremble moving through it. Instantly her face grew hot and her eyes felt like dams about to burst. She blinked rapidly attempting to stabilize her emotions. "I-I guess I'm still a little shaken up."

"I didn't even think, so do you?"

"Excuse me?"

"You asked me why I didn't ask if you lived with your father and I said I didn't even think, so do you?"

"Oh no," she gulped, "I live alone."

The past and the horror it was, seemed to be winning that night. But it was clashing with her two day nightmare. She needed them to coil back into their dark little corners and leave her alone.

"Are you going to be okay tonight?"

She let the air drain from her, "I should, I mean yeah, I'll be fine."

He didn't reply to her, but from the corner of her eye she could see his chest puff up again before he pulled the truck away from the curb. He probably thinks I'm nuts.

----

When the sight of her illuminated porch came into view, she didn't know if she could jump for joy or cringe. The feeling she got wasn't as relieving as she expected. Spoiled. Her home sweet home was spoiled and tainted and she gathered her purse, she wished she lived some place else. Leah unbuckled her seat bet and watched as his leg shook from side to side, "Well, thank you."

He nodded quietly, fingers crawling up and gripping the steering wheel tightly. His mute figure seemed changed and her stomach threw a punch to itself. This is why you live alone. She opened her purse and searched for her wallet, before pulling out a beaten up twenty dollar bill.

"Here take this." She tried to hand it to him, hands still not able to remain still. Daniel slowly looked at her, "What's that for?"

"Well whether you want to admit it or not, you saved my butt and then drove me all the way home. This is the least I could do to show my gratitude."

He held up a hand to decline, palm worn most likely from his work, "I can't accept that."

"But-"

"When I said that I believed it was wrong as all get down to leave a woman stranded on the side of the road, I didn't mean as long as I was paid."

"This isn't payment, this is a thank you. "

"You already thanked me."

"Daniel, will you just-"

"Nope.  He turned back to the windshield. If it were possible, her face grew warmer. She crumpled the bill in her hand, opened the door and hopped out. Even if her knees almost buckled, she pivoted back to the truck praying he would just change his mind and need the money. Seconds in, it was official- he wasn't. She sighed, gripping the door, "Thank you again, and it was nice meeting you. Drive safe."

In a push, she closed the door with a bang and Leah slowly treaded up to her porch, jingling her keys. It took letting herself inside and hitting the light switch to hear the sound of the truck roaring away. As she turned to close the door she watched the tail lights start moving down the street.

Locking the deadbolt, the lump in her throat returned. A familiar scent lingered in her living room. It was a strong fragrance, one of audacity and flowers. She wrinkled her nose and turned around. The soft white light emitting from the living room glowed against the kitchen wall, bouncing off a tall wine glass. Instantly, something was off. She didn't leave glasses on the table, it was dangerous with Beo's big mass whacking his tail into everything.

Further into the layout of her home she traveled and stronger the scent grew. Her boots thudded against the hard wood as she approached the dining area, allowing eyes to analyze the glass. Prints of lips were left on the rim. Ruby freaking red. Recognizing the shade of lipstick. The lump hopped out of her throat as she turned in frustration, "Damnit Alice!"

With no reply, she slammed her purse down and charged down the hallway, checking in every room as she passed it. There was no sign of Alice until she got into her room.

Glowing from where she'd left it on her bed, the laptop drew her in like a moth. Leah dropped her butt down and eyed the screen. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust but as soon as they did, they focused in on an open document. There was a note awaiting her.

Came by to persuade you to stay. Not to mention you didn't answer any of my calls. Whenever you DO get this, call me. Btw, we should put the spare key somewhere less obvious- I was drunk and STILL found it -A

Leah sighed and read the note over and over, hearing her friends voice clearly in her head. The girl was determined to keep her in Channing. She could see her side, not wanting her best friend to leave. But With The New pot of cap brewing, she just didn't want to put up with it.

Once more the note was read before she exited out of it. After reassuring a confirm message that she was sure she didn't want to save it, the window shrunk down into non existence.

Then her stomach tightened. There was another document open, yet this time there was no note. It was just a black picture pasted on the white background. A symbol, the symbol sat on her screen.

Her hands contracted into fists. How did they, or he, get in her house? Then again how did any of it happen? Maybe Alice was right, the key needed to be hidden elsewhere. Maybe someone had watched her retrieve it. Anything seemed to be possible. A long sharp gust zipped out her mouth, "I can't do this."

She didn't feel safe in her own home. She wanted Beo by her side, he was all she had. Away from her bed and down the hall she ran without skipping a beat. Her feet slid on the smooth floor as she paused just enough to unlock the back door. Icy air rushed in and as if he knew of her distress,  Beo ran up to her licking her face.

"Thank God I have you here," she closed the door and dropped to her knees, hugging her canine like she never wanted to let go. He whimpered at her. "Sorry boy," Leah released him, "Mama is a wreck. "

And even more of a wreck when she heard hissing coming from behind her. It was never going to end, it was always going to be there tormenting her, hissing and trying to take her...

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