I apologize now for those who do not like this story. It is much harder to write the thoughts and visions in my mind. This is the first part of this story. I am unaware of how many parts it will have.
Dark clouds ominously filled the sky and I knew that the rain would continue for a third straight day. My husband Kenny was gone for the week on a business trip, our daughter was away for a two week horseback riding camp run by my sister, and I was home taking a two week vacation from my landscaping job. My vacation had been quite tiresome to start, consisting of mainly watching television or visiting with nearby friends. I was planning on spending time in the yard tending to my flower beds and garden, sun bathing, going to the beach with my best friend Janice; simple and enjoyable to me, but the weather opposed non-compliantly.
The first crash of thunder startled me and soon the rain was beating down. One in the afternoon looked like seven in the evening. I was nearly compelled to take a nap, but as I was watching television, a commercial for the Maritime Museum in Beaufort ran. It was the last thing the television would broadcast today before the power went out.
The museum did not seem particularly exciting, but I had never been there and it would be something to do. I tired to reach Janice on her cell to see if she would like to join me, but I was unable to reach her. I decided I would make the hour and a half drive myself anyway.
I was lounging around panty and braless in my pajamas and moved to the bedroom to change. I fumbled through my drawers finding my dotted navy lace-trim thong and bra set. I stripped from my pajamas and stood naked in front of the body mirror gazing at my petite frame. I noticed my mild tan was fading and was hoping for some sun soon. I slipped into my thong and protected my 34 B breasts with the bra. I stepped into my dark washed Aphrodite boot cut jeans that fit low on my waist and straight through my hips and thighs and pulled them over my maturing but cute little bottom. For a top, I chose a cotton long sleeved jewel neckline tee, with raw edge styling. I accessorized with a wide black shevron lace belt and earrings. Before heading out, I put on simple makeup, brushed through my hair, and laced up my 3 inch micro suede ankle boots.
As the garage door opened, I looked out watching the rain drops splash against the blacktop and saw the mail lady about to pull up to my mailbox. I opened my umbrella and quickly made my way out to meet the delivery.
The woman was older and rough looking. She had a cheerful appeal to her and we quickly chatted about the miserable weather lately. She mentioned the forecast was more optimistic tomorrow, calling for high 80's and sun. I responded with enjoyment and wished her a good day before she drove off.
I sat in the car, quickly skimming through the junk mail and bills as a love red envelope with no return address fell into my lap. I sat the other mail in the passenger seat as it held no interest to me now. The envelope was addresses to me and I thought to myself how sweet Ken was to be sending me something while he was away.
I opened the envelope and pulled the enclosed letter out of its restricted confines. The letter briefly read:
Rebecca, Meet at the Overlook Cabin of Rock Creek Cabins in Bryson City at 5:00 p.m. on June 30th. The letter was signed with a large yellow smiley face sticker. Also in the envelope were directions and a map of the surrounding cabins in the Smoky Mountains. The route was highlighted and the location of the cabin was circled.
"Tomorrow," I questioned? Had Kenny planned this out? Did he tell me he would be gone for the week well aware that he would only be away for three days? I smiled as I started the car, thinking of the last romantic weekend Ken had treated me to at this same location. The cabin was different, but I knew of Rock Creek Cabins and knew I had a three hour drive ahead of me tomorrow.
I pulled out of the driveway, noticing no lights were on in houses for miles. I pulled onto the expressway and headed east towards Beaufort. The rain fall was steadily declining the farther I headed east and I was comfortably singing along with the music as I proceeded.
For reasons I cannot explain I looked into the rearview and fear had suddenly rushed through my body. A silver 1980 F-150 4x4, obviously raised with a lift kit, was speeding close behind me. The repeated flashing of its lights reflected off of my rearview mirror and the hounding of its annoying horn chilled the back of my neck. My hands tensed around the steering wheel and I peered into the rearview repeatedly, slowly reducing my speed. The truck tailgated me, backed off, and tailgated again so close I could only see the flashing headlights in the rearview.
This happened over and over for what seemed an eternity. When the truck backed off, I tried to get a view of the driver through the rearview, but the front window was jet black. I couldn't see a thing. The truck approached again almost hitting my bumper. My right hand shook in nervousness while I blindly searched my purse for my cell phone. I found it and unfolded it open to dial 911 not knowing how much longer this harassment would last. Just at that moment the truck sped up beside me and past me with a sustained echo blasting from the horn.
I watched as the truck flashed by me. Covered in mud, its windows were tinted jet black and the license plate paint was flaked off and covered in mud, making it impossible to read. The truck proceeded and disappeared into the distance. I discharged a breath of relief and closed my phone. The horror of the event passed and soon I was trying to sing along with radio with aftershocks of the event still rattling my knees.
An exit sign for the museum eventually stood along the edge of the road and I followed it, along with signs on the local highways directing drivers to its location. I entered the parking of the facility and skimmed the rows for an open spot. I noticed the muddy truck standing higher than other vehicles along the edge of the parking and my mind struggled between decisions of proceeding or heading back home. For some reason, I rationalized I would be safe here in a public place and found a parking space far away from the eerie vehicle. Besides, even if the driver of the truck was in the museum, the chances of him or her knowing who I was would be unlikely. I took the happening of the freeway occurrence as a chance event of harassment.