DESPERATE

27

Randall collapsed by the roadside, clutching his chest. His heart hammered like a drum, echoing the screech of tires. He had narrowly escaped death by a speeding truck. The truck had veered off the road, sending the passengers into a frenzy of panic. Randall heard a loud thud and a crunch of metal. Had the truck hit a tree? Were there any casualties? His mind raced with questions. He felt a surge of curiosity and decided to investigate the scene of the accident.

A flashlight flickered in the dark. Randall followed the light and found the truck smashed against a tree. He saw the people inside the truck crawling out of the wreckage. One of them was shrieking in pain. “A metal rod pierced my shoe and foot. It hurts like hell.” It was Dionah's voice.

Randall's emotions were a whirlwind of relief and rage. After a long and exhausting chase, he had finally found Jillian and the kids.

A man's voice, probably the driver, told Dionah to sit on the ground and examined her foot. “It looks nasty and rusty.”

Dionah panicked more. “You can't just leave me here. Take me to the hospital before I get tetanus.”

My place is close by, we can call for help from there,” Doug said. “But we have to abandon the truck. It’s wrecked.”

“Damn it, I can't walk with this wound.” Dionah snapped at him.

“I can carry you on my shoulders. It's only a fifteen-minute walk. I may be big, but I'm strong.” Doug offered, eagerly.

The idea of the man carrying her made Dionah puke. Her siblings grimaced and moved away from her.

A light rain began to fall. Jillian and Jordan supported Dionah as she limped along, following Doug's lead. Gail glanced over her shoulder, feeling a strange prickling on her skin. She had the eerie feeling of being watched again.

Randall trailed behind them, keeping a safe distance. He was soaked and shivering, but he didn't want to lose sight of them. He saw them enter a modern house that was surrounded by a wooden fence. The yard was a mess of junk, from old tires and broken furniture to rusty tools and plastic bottles. There was barely any space to walk.

“Is this where you live?” Gail asked, her eyes wide with disbelief at the sight of the clutter. Jillian shot her a stern look, telling her to be quiet.

“Yes, but unfortunately I live alone. I haven't had much time to tidy up my place. Sorry for the mess.” Doug said, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

Randall crept along the fence, searching for another entrance to the house that would escape their notice. He stumbled over a coke can that clattered loudly on the ground.

“Did you hear that?” Jordan asked, his eyes darting nervously around them.

“You're being paranoid. It could be anything. I want to get inside. I’m freezing and soaked.” Dionah whined.

Doug fished out a bunch of keys from his pocket and fumbled with the lock. None of the keys seemed to fit. Sweat trickled down his face as he wrestled with the stubborn door.

“Are you sure we are at the right house?” Jillian asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

“Don't be ridiculous, ma’am. I’m not drunk. I know my own place. My hands are numb from the cold. That's why it's taking me so long to open the door.” Doug snapped, sounding offended.

The door creaked open at last. “Stay here. I'll turn on the light. I don't want you guys to trip over anything.”

Jillian and the kids stood in the dark, waiting for the man to flick the switch. All they heard was him swearing softly as he bumped into things. The house reeked of sweat, stinky feet and something rotten. It was too much for Dionah, she staggered away from her family and retched again.