AN: 3.8
Tremble
Linden doesn't know if Pastor Mike (Mark) is crazy enough to shoot her, but she's going to assume so anyways.
Everything is dark. From the back seat, all that's visible are his eyes.
She's in the driver's seat but he has a better vantage point.
It's so hard, driving like this, with a gun behind her.
She tries hard to keep her voice calm.
To remember what she learned at the academy for situations like this.
She was in foster care too, she says, she understands.
She too has done good and failed.
She too has known loss.
That's right, keep him talking.
The radio beneath her thigh presses uncomfortably.
"Tell me about the girl, what happened to her?"
He's right, she wouldn't have believed him.
She hears the gun click and tells herself to keep talking.
Keep talking.
Tell him stories.
Tell him lies.
Tell him things that will make him listen.
Tell him things that will make him stop.
Just. Stall. Him.
Someone save me.
Someone come get me.
Someone listen to this conversation.
"I saw my friend there, standing on the median, alone."
Standing here on the median.
On this median.
Come on, Holder, you know what I'm talking about.
I know you're listening.
And I know you get it.
I'm trusting you with my life.
"No one's coming." She tells Pastor Mike.
But it's too late.
He's found out.
He's found the radio.
And he's going to kill her.
She's going to die.
She doesn't want to die.
Plead with him!
Beg him!
Do something so he doesn't kill you!
"Don't do this!"
"Please!"
"Don't do this!"
"Please."
"Please."
Don't cry.
Stay calm and don't cry.
Keep thinking.
Think hard.
Run while he's praying.
No, he's too fast.
He'll shoot for sure.
What's that?
Sirens.
Sirens!
They've come!
Thank God they've come.
And then she hears them; their voices.
They're going to get her out of this.
She's going to be okay.
She's going to be okay.
Breathe.
You're going to be okay.
He came to get you.
And you won't die.
Not today.
-End-