2 a.m.
Elsewhere, far outside the bright lights of the city he waits. In the rain, from his dark car, he watches her.
He can see into the diner. Only a few patrons inside, this small town at the foothills of the Catskill mountains doesn't have visitors out this late, and locals are all home tucked in bed by now. The pretty young waitress grabs her umbrella and coat. He can just imagine her saying her goodbyes as he sees her smile and say something to the cook and the one server left behind the counter.
As he waits for her to leave, he looks at the empty seat next to him. Traitor. The dog he'd trained since he was a pup had turned on him, tried to save that last one...he seethed with anger at not being able to squeeze the life out of that damn dog before someone came upon them in the park. He didn't get a chance to pose her the way he wanted either.
This time, this time would be different. It'd be just as he imagined. And he could get another dog. Everything would be fine again. Attention turned back to the diner, he'd missed her walking out, she was already running to her car. Don't get distracted now, it's time.
She pulls out of her space, and he starts his van's engine, he waits 5 minutes, no need to follow directly behind her, he knows exactly where she's going. He'd planned it so her tire should blow out just as she rounds the curve before her street. It's a lonely spot of road. This time of night cars are so scarce. He spent the last several nights timing it. The longest span was 2 hours before one went by. The shortest, 15 minutes. 10 more than he needed.
Finally he pulls out. He's ready. Wearing the hooded slicker over the coveralls, he'd leave nothing behind when he grabs her. As he hits the curve, his headlights round the corner, and catch her car. Just as he'd timed it.
He pulls in front of her and parks, looking in the rear view mirror, he can see her worried face and smiles.
His face changes, as he watches himself in the mirror now. Harmless. Helpful. Who wouldn't be comfortable opening the door to him. He's just here to help.
He gets out of the car, and walks to her. Rain pelting off the hood of his slicker and his shoulders. He's even sloped his back a little to look as small and inoffensive as possible. When he gets to the window he has to yell so she can hear.
"Looks like you got a flat"! He motions to the back tire as he yells so she can hear through the window.
She looks back and nods her head. Not opening the door.
"You got a spare in the trunk"? He asks. She yells "Yes, but"...
"Tell you what...just pop the trunk, you stay in there". He yells and points to her.
Her face, so grateful, she pops the trunk. After a moment she feels dumb. He's so nice, the least she can do is get out to thank him.
He's pulling the spare out of her trunk when he hears the door open. He smiles. People are more worried about offending someone than staying safe.
She walks to the back of the car, thinking she could hold her umbrella over him as he changes the tire. But she never gets a chance to say a word. Just as she opens her mouth, he slams the trunk closed and grabs her. The first few times he'd knocked them out, but he was too strong, and sometimes they never regained consciousness. He's learning. He spins her around, catching her in a choke hold. He's so strong it takes almost no time before she goes limp. He easily picks her up, slumped over his shoulder. The umbrella falls to the ground. He throws her in the back of the soundproofed minivan. It looks innocuous from the outside. Inside it's just empty. Quickly he snaps the handcuffs attached to the floor around her wrists, and slams the door before jumping back in the drivers seat. He smiles. It's really too easy. Less than 5 minutes and he's pulling away.
Her car still sits on the side of the road. Doors closed, hazard lights still flashing yellow. Her umbrella lies upside down, catching rain.