HIGHWAY

11

"Hey you there? Who are you? Get out of my car right now."

I started to move and then I realised he was holding a baseball bat in his hand.

Cautiously, I came out of the car. Matt moved to make room for me. I kept standing there awkwardly as they scanned my body from head to toe.

His girlfriend stood behind him with her eyes wide.

Lifting his bat ready to hit, Matt enquired "who are your girl?" He barked "tell me".

Gulping, I put my act on the trigger. Doing my best to look afraid, I made my lips quiver as I spoke "I.. I need help. I was being chased by a guy. He is very scary and he.. " I sputtered, "He said he will kill me.. He abducted me from a bus a week ago. I don't know what he intends to do with me. I just need help. Please."

Without lowering his bat, he asked with minimum change in his expression after hearing my lie. "How can I believe you, whoever you are? Why are you hiding in our car?"

"Because, I need help. There was nobody in sight except your car. Why would I lie? Do I look harmful?"

Narrowing his eyes, he asked "where did you get in?"

That was a question I could not lie about "at the motel"

"I remember there was another car-"

"-I was in that car." I paused "it was his car"

After exchanging looks, they studied me once again and this time they seem to believe me very much. He lowered his bat and his girlfriend came out slowly and stood in front of me.

"Are you well?" She hesitated, a mixture of fear and care reflected in her voice.

Silently, I gave a timid shook.

"Wait", with that she swirled and opened the front door of the car. Later revealing herself with some chips.

"Here have these" she handed the pack to me and then backed away to stand with his boyfriend.

I opened that pack and started to eat. "Thank you".

Matt nodded, "I'll call the police".

"No" I shot. He froze in his track. The aura of caution came back into the air.

"NO? Why not?" With a frown he tilted his head. Why does he have to be so cautious? Can he just not go with my story and help me without using his techniques.

Yeah, right because sensible people like him, unlike you, have brains and know what is right and correct for them. They are not just driven by their stupid dreams in reality. They are practical and are always prepared. He is a guy with sense.

Whatever it may be, I could not let them call the police. They would ask more questions and would definitely send me back to London. The place I would want to go when the hell freezes over.

"Trust me, that won't help. I tried that. That man is not alone. He is a part of a huge gang, maybe some racket. They are dangerous." I started to change the subject. "You can just drop me off at a motel or city. I have a friend in Archmore, she can help. Please, I just want to get away from this area as fast as I can." I tried to act terrified. "He.. he might be coming."

"Okay" he agreed after a while. And then he got into the car telling me to follow the suit "Get in"

"Thank you" I offered a soft timid anxious smile.

His girlfriend came to my side to help me sit back in the car. Holding me by my shoulder she gave a soft yet uncomfortable smile and led me towards the door. Until, she suspected the gun I was hiding in my back pocket. I heard her gasp as she let go of my shoulder.