Town Slayer

Narrow Escape

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Janet hears heavy footsteps shuffling across what's left of the porch. Getting to her feet, she races to the back. On one of their many trips, Timmy found a secret passage behind the uti;it closet wall. Neither she, or Timmy took it to see where it led, but Janet figured it couldn't be any worse than what was waiting for her on the other side of the door. She steps into the great unknown as the front door slams a jar. Here goes nothing, she thinks, sprinting into the darkness. The narrow passage seems to get darker as she moves further along. With her arms extended in front of her, she continues to move along.  Stepping into the night, She looks around and discovers she's not too far from her house. The highway isn't that far away, she thinks, racing through the forest. 

Night creatures shrill all around her, giving it an eerie feel. Dogs bark in the near distance. Frightened, Janet picks up her pace.  I can't let them find me, I can't.  Her heart pounds furiously as she gasps for much-needed air. She frantically continues through the desolate area to the top of the hill. Janet notices a diesel heading her way when she reaches the dark, barren road.

Please stop, oh please stop. Shoving her arm out, she shoves her thumb up. She realizes the dogs are gaining on her when she glances toward the woods. They're going to find me if he doesn't stop. She frantically waves her hands through the air, hoping that will help. The truck continues to get closer when a horrid thought pops into her head. What if he's a killer? Pictures of America's most wanted flash through her mind. She looks towards the forest again. I'd rather take my chances with him than the cops. Turning back toward the road, she continues to flag him down. Please stop, oh please stop. She begs. The truck zooms past sending a blast of wintry air her way. I should've known he wouldn't stop. Shivering, she runs down the foggy road. She sees brake lights pierce through the murky darkness a little further down. He did notice me, She thinks, darting toward his truck.

***
Chaos continues all around them as the detectives work steadily at their desks. Some officers are dragging suspects in, while others are escorting people to cells. The rest are busy with reports or doing research on their computer. The noise lightens to a dull roar compared to what it was a short while ago.  

I hope we hear something soon, Joe thinks, half-heartedly scanning his report again. He's trying to work on an old file, hoping to ease his worrying some, but no matter what he does, he can't stop thinking about his friend. I can't concentrate on this. case knowing Janet's life is at stake.  Frustrated, he throws the printout down on his desk. Joe thinks back to all the tough times Janwt's had. Losing her parents at a young age, she was forced into foster care. Then Bill came around and swept her off her feet. A fairy book romance that went belly up. Now she's roaming the cold hard streets, scared and all alone.

Joe slams his fist on the desk. "She wouldn't be in this mess if she'd taken my advice."  He looks toward the clock and finds the hand has hardly moved since the last time he checked. I can't sit here and do nothing.  Joe pushes himself away from the desk. "I'm going out. Let me know if you hear anything." 

"We will, boss."

Joe heads to his boss's office and knocks on the door.

The captain looks up from his computer. "Do you need something, Joe?" he pulls the glasses off his face.

Joe steps up to his desk. Like the rest of the room's furnishings, it was a part of the station's original decor.

"I"m not sure Janet is good for this, Captain; not her, not sweet little Janet."

"What about all the evidence we have against her, and her running from the law?"

"There has to be another explanation there just has to be. Aggravated, he plops down in the highback-chair.