Subject:  CHAPTER 84 |
Author:
KK
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Date Posted: 19:09:54 04/11/06 Tue
Chapter 84
Passing the Joinerville City Limit sign, Michael slowed the car and pulled over for gas. Brightly flashing neon lights beaconed truckers and late night travelers inside the large store for further purchase.
Niki peered longingly through the car’s tinted windows. Would this be her opportunity to escape? She could use a rest stop.
“No.”
She jerked around to face Michael, wondering guiltily if he’d guessed her thoughts. “No, what?”
“You’re not getting out of the car, and if you try to attract attention, you’ll be sorry.”
More sorry than she was already? She didn’t think so. What if this was her only chance to escape? The risk would be great, but what did she have to lose?
She nodded to him in reply and then lowered her head, trying to appear submissive. Was he buying it? She wanted to peek up at him to see, but knew better. Instead, she waited until he was out of the car before making her move.
Acting quickly, she opened her door before the inside light had clicked off and slipped outside, while Michael moved to the rear of the vehicle.
Low thumping base sounds from the car sitting next to them covered the opening and closing of her door. So far, so good. Crouched low, she duck-walked to the front of the automobile and crossed to the driver’s side.
What was Michael doing? Had he finished pumping the gas? She bent her face nearer the concrete for a quick peek under the car. No, his feet were still at the pump, heels toward the vehicle.
She half scooted – half crawled across the open area, grateful to have the blaring hip-hop to cover the sand-paper slide of her shoes against the pavement. Now, with the length and width of the aisle safely between them, she pushed to her feet.
The woman at the next pump jumped at Niki’s sudden appearance, her mouth rounding in a silent yelp of surprise. Niki flashed her a quick, pleading look and then, bolted.
She ran across the parking lot and into a patch of woods as if the hounds of hell were on her heels. While she kept her eyes forward, part of her mind was imagining Michael at the pump, topping off the gas, and discovering her absence.
Once inside the cover of the trees, she looked back over her shoulder. Michael no longer stood at the pump. She scanned the parking lot, and caught a glimpse of him entering the station. What luck! He’d guessed she would have gone inside. Now, was her chance to make some time.
Keeping the thought of an angry Michael forefront in her mine, she ran as fast as she dared through the wooded lot, dodged cars through a used car lot, and headed for the undeveloped highway. That she might be in more danger from her unknown environment than from her husband never occurred to her. For now, her only thought was one of escape.
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