A/N: I had posted this here before but removed it temporarily to make some edits to the story. I hope you like the changes!
Summary: Myles and Tara stumble onto a life threatening crime spree in rural Maryland.
Disclaimer: The Characters of Sue Thomas, Jack Hudson, Bobby Manning, Dimitrius (D) Gans, Donna Gans, Tanya Gans, David (Davey) Gans, Myles Leland III, Tara Samuel, Lucy Dotson, Ted Garrett, Darcy D'Angelo, and Levi are the property of Pebblehut, Paxson Entertainment, Dave Alan Johnson, Gary R. Johnson, and their subsidiaries and related parties. Similarities of other characters to individuals real or imagined are purely coincidental.
Chapter 1
"…Hurricane Martin is currently making its way up the east coast, dumping three to five inches of rain in its path," the radio announcer said. "Northern Maryland counties should begin to see the major effects of the storm this evening. This slow moving weather system will have devastating effects on the area through mid-morning tomorrow. The National Weather Service advises…"
Myles snapped off the radio in frustration. He didn't need to hear about the weather as he could see it. That was about all he could see as he strained to see the road through the sheets of rain hitting the window. The headlights were almost useless and the nearly flooded road was practically invisible.
"I think we really should stop, Myles," Tara insisted from the passenger seat.
"If you'd like to point out where, Ms. Williams, I'd be happy to oblige," Myles scoffed, rolling his eyes. "But I can barely see the road and don't want to risk trying to pull over onto the shoulder…with all this rain, there may not be anything to pull over onto," he retorted.
"I'm sorry, I just thought," she started, only to be cut short by a large hailstone slamming into the windshield leaving a starburst crack. "Oh, my," Tara gasped, eyes wide as she stared into the rain and settled into an uneasy silence.
The hail created a deafening roar in the car as large chunks pummeled the hood and roof, leaving large dents in the metal. Tara glanced briefly at Myles, noting his white knuckles as he gripped the steering wheel. She looked back out the splintered window in time to see the fiery streak of lightning into the trees in front of them.
"Oh, my God!" Tara cried, gripping her seat with her fingernails as she watched a large tree fall towards them.
Myles saw the flash and briefly took his eyes off the road to locate the cause of Tara's gasp. The tires of the car spun uselessly as Myles smashed the gas pedal to the floor, trying to get them out of the path of the falling tree. Struggling with the steering wheel, he realized they weren't going to make it.
Instinctively slamming on the brakes and twisting the wheel, Myles hoped to lessen the impact by sliding sideways into the tree. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tara reach out to brace herself just before they collided. The sounds of crunching metal and breaking glass mixed with Tara's screams as a crushing darkness overwhelmed him.