I can’t believe that my rental car has stalled...and here I am, out in the middle of nowhere! I find a map in the glove box but it’s not much help I can’t find this dirt road I’ve ended up on anywhere on it. I’m not surprised.
I think about calling you with my cell phone and decide not to. You can come find me when I don’t show up at your door on time. After all, this was your idea, to meet out here in your cabin for the weekend. I can’t believe I let you talk me into it. We could have stayed in the city at either of our apartments, but no, you wanted to come out here and be "one with nature".
Well, at least the car has died in a semi-shaded spot. I get out to look around, but there’s not much to see...just more road and more trees, neither of which will help me. I can feel myself start to sweat. (It was 90 when I last checked the outside temperature.)
I climb back into the car, since by getting out and walking around it, I haven't accomplished anything but making myself hot and thirsty. I try the key again and (surprise, surprise!) nothing happens. I try turning the key backwards and the radio comes on. I leave it on. I have no qualms about running the battery down, its not like the car is going to need it. I roll down the window and lay the seat back. I might as well get comfortable while I wait.
I check my watch (I’ve been here 15 minutes). The car is starting to feel like an oven. I turn it off and take the keys to open the trunk. I've worn jeans and a t-shirt to drive in, but I’ve packed shorts and a tank top, in case the cabin’s A/C is on the blitz. I change quickly. I don’t know why, its not like there’s anything out here to see me except a few random squirrels maybe a few chipmunks.
I laugh at the thought as I drop my clothes back into the trunk, and then I hear the leaves rustling behind me. I stop laughing and look around. I don’t see anything but, nervously, I slam the trunk closed and hurry to the side of the car. Just as I reach for the door, a large hand closes over my mouth. I kick and struggle and try to scream, my nails clawing at the fingers over my mouth, but to no avail. A strong arm holds me pinned to a large, hard body.
Then I hear it, that unmistakable click and the feel of cool steel as it is pressed into my neck. I am instantly still, I need no further convincing. The hands holding me relax a little but the pressure from the knife never lessens. Then, a whisper in my ear.
"Don’t scream."
I nod (just barely) and the hand falls from my mouth. I gulp in tiny breaths of air, wary of sucking in too much with the knife still pressed at my jugular. A soft cloth is placed in my hands and then brought up to my eyes. Again the whisper, soft and almost soothing.
"Put in on, and make it tight.”
I do as I’m told and once I’m blindfolded the whisper comes once more.
"Can you see anything?"
"No." I whisper back, afraid to shake my head, hoping he won't mind me speaking. I didn't scream and I could barely hear my own whispered reply.