Haunted
Chapter 1
DISCLAIMER:All right, you know the drill, I don't own them, I kidnapped them and will give them back shortly. However, I wouldn't mind Cillian for a day… if it helps I have the same first name as your wife! Call me? No? Okay (pouty face).
A petite handgun glared at her from the depths of her tiny black purse. She shot a hasty glance over her shoulder to empty shadows. Her fingers fumbled the keys. The car door flew open and she whipped into the driver's seat, slamming the lock behind her. She sighed. Another night ended, safely tucked in her Taurus.
Her headlights beamed through the icy haze, and brightened the ghostly parking lot. Invisible snowflakes danced in the columns and dropped daintily on the windshield. She loosened the black suede gloves from her hands and placed them neatly on her purse. Lisa missed the sloppy, warm, wet weather of Miami.
The Taurus glided carefully through the twists and blind turns of a vacant rural road. Her only reminder of the civilized world was the occasional oasis; a bright, neon lit bar with a gravel parking lot. None quite so chic as to offer a bay breeze, or sea breeze, or whatever. Some classy enough to include a flashing letter-change sign with "Go Devils" and the current Powerball jackpot glowing through the night. She drove on.
The trees and blackness became increasingly familiar. She saw her markers, a yellow 'T' intersection sign and a rusty black mailbox. Lisa watched the left edge of the road and gently slowed. Her lonely dirt road rolled from the darkness, and she eased the car from the pavement. She guided the tiny Taurus over dips, ruts, gravel and holes to the end of her driveway. The car jostled left to right, and crunched down the winding hill. As the blue vehicle approached a dimly lit porch, a glaring spotlight winked on.
She turned the car off and stepped into the frigid night air. Lisa sighed with relief. The anxious amber eyes of a bulky German shepherd glowed from behind her curtained glass doors. She unraveled as she walked in the door. The wool coat unbuttoned and draped loosely on the coat rack. Her sensible black pumps tumbled heavily on the floor with a light 'thunk.' Her hair untwined from a neat French Twist to flowing tresses. And her dog, Bruce, climbed on her to sniff a quick, "Hello." Friday night, Lisa was home.
She glanced at herself in the bathroom mirror as she made her way to the warmth of her bedroom. Lisa was accustomed now to the straight golden locks that framed her face. The pictures on the wall, her as a brunette and her father on the bow of a boat over a glittering blue ocean, were alien. The Lisa in those photos was gone. She snuggled into a plushy feather-down comforter and closed her eyes. Bruce whimpered and coiled into the crook of her knees. He panted and shook the bed, vigilantly studying the door. Hopefully tonight she would get some sleep.
As the glowing green clock flipped to ten-thirty, it screeched maddeningly, jerking her from slumber. Lisa tapped the "Snooze" and dropped to her pillow, snoring. Bruce perked his ears as she stirred. He rose and edged cautiously to her face. The dog's tongue lapped her cheek sloppily and she squinted in its slimy embrace.
"Alright, alright… I had to get up anyway," she groaned. The German shepherd sprang to life and leapt from the bed. Patiently he watched, swishing his tail as she slowly swung her feet over the bedside. She stretched lazily and shook the fog from her head. With a flick, she silenced her alarm for the day. Bruce was anxious to start his routine, and she had to get to class.
After a long wait for Bruce's return, she assembled her crisp white uniform. The blouse fell neatly over her head, and she fastened it with a bright blue belt. Lisa twirled her hair into a quick bun and slipped sneakers on her feet. She stuffed her red gym bag with a water bottle, shower supplies, and her Kim's Karate ID badge, and flew out the door. Bruce watched the Taurus back out of its spot, and rested his head on his massive paws with a loud sigh.