Down the Dark

[Chapter 3: Terra]

     "Excuse me miss, do you need a lift?" The voice came out of nowhere, and I looked to my left to see that a car had pulled up beside me. A black car. A man stuck his head out, smiling. He had dark brown hair and even darker brown eyes. The plump, peachy-pink lips smiled, the eyes did too, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

     "Umm... no, thank you," I said, stepping back.

     "Don't worry, I don't have anything on my schedule," the man said cheerfully. "It looks like you're having difficulties walking in heels. I just want to help you!"

     "I... yeah, yeah, sure." I grinned at him, reminding myself that I had a cell phone in case things went wrong.

     "Amazing!" he exclaimed, and thrusted out his hand. "My name is Chris."

     "My name is Terra," I said, taking his hand. His smile seemed to wilt a bit.

     "Well... Terra, come in," he said, and opened the passenger-side door.

     I slipped into the car. "Just a few blocks down. Turn right on Hillsburry Street, go straight, then turn left at Alderwood Road," I instructed.

     When he passed Alderwood Road, I cried out, "No! Now we have to make a U-turn!"

     "My sincerest apologies," Chris said, but he didn't sound too sorry. "Don't worry, I know a faster way to Mackenzie Ani's party."

     My blood went cold. Did I tell him I was going to Mackenzie's? "You... you can let me out here," I said, my voice cracking.

     "Nonsense!" Chris exclaimed. "I must drop you off there."

     "Please let me out here," I croaked, desperately trying to open the door. "Please."

     Chris's expression soured. "I'm sorry, dear Viola."

     "My name isn't Viola, it's Terra. You've got the wrong person!"

     "I'm sorry Viola," Chris repeated, his hand reaching to the back of the car. Then he hit me and everything went black.