Little Red House

Chapter 2 - Stranger Danger

Chapter Two 

       I squeezed my eyes shut and froze in place. My throat seemed tightened, I couldn't breathe. The dried tear streaks on my cheeks had begun to sting. I was definitely going crazy. I slightly opened one eye. The hooded man still sat in the passenger seat. His hood was low enough to cover is eyes but I could perfectly see the mocking smirk. He threw the dark apple in the air and caught it with one hand. He threw it up and caught it again. I gulped. I was going to die! Most likely from fear than from this man.

I pulled all my strength together and asked, “W-who are y-ou?” My voice quivered; I gave away the dread that grew inside me.

“You can open your eyes. I’m not a monster, you know?” Only then I realized my eyes were still closed. I opened them and pressed my back against the car door.

“As for what I know you’re probably some murderer or rapist!”’

The man’s deep chuckle filled the truck. It’s seemed to close on me, leaving no room for oxygen to enter my straining lungs. Why was he laughing? Nothing was funny, nothing at all. In fact, I thought I would pee in my jeans out of fear that chocked me.

His chuckle transferred into a roaring laugh. I closed my eyes and pressed my palms to my temples.

“Stop! Stop laughing!” Tears tickled the corners of my eyes. Suddenly, a rush of air hit my face. I opened my eyes. The stranger was gone even though the echo of his laugh still remained. Shivers crawled up my spin and bite at my neck. 

“Okay, Emma, breath. Breath; in and out, in and out,” now I was talking to myself. Great.

I still had to get the gas but fear locked in place. There was no way I was going to walk out. Then I heard the sound of tires on gravel. I whirled to the left to see a police vehicle drive up to the side of my old truck. I rolled down the window to speak.

“Hey, everything alright, young lady?” It was a woman.

“Yes. I ran out of gas. Um, is there a way you can..”

“Drive you over to the gas station?”

“Yeah,” I breathed, “the night is kind of.. dark? I-I just don’t want to intrude-“

“Hey, I’ll give you a lift,” the cop smiled. The cop smiled! I've never had a police officer smile at me.

“Thank you!” I jumped out of the truck and sat into the police car. The officer turned out to be a some-what kind woman with icy blue eyes. She told me to call her Officer Williams. 

In twenty minutes I was driving back to my apartment. Still shaken by the night’s events. Michael was passed out on the worn out sofa. His snore filled the tiny living room. I covered him with a blanket and decided to get some sleep before morning.

As soon as my head hit the pillow, colors started to form my dream. Purple, red and black swirled forming a knot, chocking me. The colors twisted in an eerie dance making my light headed. Suddenly, I noticed the hooded man walking through the colors. When the colors came in contact with him, they exploded in a dark, blood color. He was walking towards me with the same apple with rich color of blood. He threw it up and then caught it, threw it up and caught it again. I tried to back up but my back bumped against an invisible wall. The closer the man came, the more I could see his lips stretch into an evil smirk. He sliced the colors with his strong presence; they faded until nothing but red is seen. I closed my eyes trying to shut out the horror. When I opened them up I came face to face with the hood man. My breath hitched and my mouth experienced a drought. His eyes were still hooded. He leaned in sharply and placed his lips on mine. I gasped and screamed.

I sat up in my bed, sunshine streaming through the window. It was only a dream, only a dream.