RAIN

Chapter two

The rain was blinding. Rivulets of water streamed down the length of Jet's body. His clothes stuck to his skin, and his shoes felt like cinder blocks tied to his feet. The darkness that surrounded him was indeed terrifying. He had become a vulnerable prey standing out in the open. His eyes focused on the light bobbing around through the trees. Jet gritted his teeth and awaited its arrival with dreadful anticipation churning in his stomach.

Inside his jacket pocket was a nine-millimeter handgun that was loaded and ready to go if he needed it. All he had to do was put a bullet into whoever that was. The thought filled him with confidence that swiftly dwindled as another thought formed in his head.

What if this was not something that could be killed with a gun?

What did he do then?

The question resonated in his head as he stood there, water running down his body, pooling in his shoes.

He should turn and run, but Jet couldn't move. Fear had dulled his brilliant mind. He stood there like a statue with his eyes fixated on the light that danced closer and closer, like a firefly in the darkness, until a human form emerged from amongst the shadows of the trees.

Dressed in a white shirt and a pair of blue jeans, a young man, holding a lantern to guide his way, came forth from the bushy trail. Jet tried to see his features more clearly, but not even the lantern helped.

The young man stopped on the opposite side of the road, his gaze unwavering. They observed each other, the wind whisking around them and the raindrops lashing them like whips.

Jet watched the way his white shirt stuck to his body, water dripping from his hair the way it was dripping from Jet.

Can he be trusted?

He couldn't decide. Out here, where nothing existed for miles, Jet was isolated and helpless.

"Are you hurt?" the young man suddenly spoke. The drumming of the rain nearly drowned out his soft voice.

He spoke English, and Jet was relieved. Still, he kept his guard up.

"My arm and ribs are messed up. Do you have a phone that I can use?"

A gust shook the lantern, making the beam of light dance wildly across the wet road and swaying trees. As Jet's vision adjusted, the suspicion in the young man's nervous eyes became noticeable. Maybe he was wondering the same things about Jet that Jet was wondering about him.

"Do you have a phone?" Jet asked again.

"I have one at my house."

The stranger's demeanor was swiftly changing to apprehension. He was small-framed, a little thing with little bones. Jet was effortlessly larger than he was. Jet took a few steps forward. He back-stepped, a wary gaze focused on Jet's movements. Jet realized he needed him to trust him. The young man was his only chance out of this place.

"I'm not a criminal or anything." It was a pathetic attempt that made him feel to kick himself. "I'm not going to hurt you and your family. I don't even have to come with you if you don't trust me. Maybe you can call someone to help me, and I can wait in my car," he suggested. It would be easier for both of them that way.

"A storm is coming. You will die in your car."

"Then what do you suggest? You don't trust me, and I sure as hell don't trust you. Can you call someone to come help me?"

"What happened?" he asked with a nod toward the crash.

"A dog ran out in front of my car."

"A dog?"