20

 

A chill went up her spine. Instead of turning towards the voice, she sprinted towards her car.

The park area was still empty. Only her and the man calling out to her.

“Hold on a minute, ma’am. I’m not going to hurt you. I just wanted to ask you something.” His voice sounded reasonable.

Maven ran faster. Almost to her car. Pulling her keys from her pocket, she pressed the unlock button. She fought the urge to turn around. Once she was safely in the car and gone, she’d find the police station, and then call Paul.

A hand grabbed her hair. She ignored the pain and tried to run. Instead, she lost her footing. The ground slammed into her back. Momentarily stunned, she stopped moving. The world swirled around and stars circled her head, but she took a deep breath. This was no time to pass out.

The man stood above her.

“Help. Help.” She screamed as loudly as she could

He knelt down beside her. “Are you all right? You fell down. Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you. Why were you running from me?”

She gasped, fighting for air., “I didn’t fall down. You knocked me down.”

“I’m not going to hurt you.” He reached for her. “Here, let me help you up.”

Was the man crazy? Had he forgotten he’d just chased her, and then grabbed her hair?

She pulled away from him. “Don’t touch me. Get away from me.”

“I’m not going to hurt you.” He offered his hand to her once again.

She moved her hand as if to push him away, but didn’t touch him. “Go away and leave me alone.”

“I can’t do that.”

Her stomach twisted at his words.

He smiled. “You look like you need some help. I’m the only one here so I can’t just walk away from you. A gentleman would never leave a woman alone in a park.”

She sat up. “I mean it. Get away from me.”

He was between her and her car. If she got up in one quick movement and pushed him at the same time…it might just work. The car wasn’t that far away. She took a deep breath, ready to make her move.

“Don’t bother trying.” He smiled again, this time the smile seemed sinister—even evil. “It’s not going to work. You can’t get away from me.”

She moved to her knees, and then her feet. Her dress tangled between her legs. “You just told me you weren’t going to hurt me.”

“I lied.” He lunged for her.

Maven jumped back, lifted her skirt, and then kicked him with the heel of her boot. Her foot landed just where she wanted it to.

He gasped and leaned over.

She sprinted past him. Her hands were empty. She’d dropped her keys. It didn’t matter. She hadn’t locked her car. If she could just get to the car and lock it. Then she’d be safe. Her phone was in there so she’d be able to call for help.

She ran as if her life depended on it. Only a few more yards…her car horn beeped and her lights flashed.

The man had her found her keys.