The afternoon was cloudy but the sun was poking through the clouds in certain places.Dappling the wet ground and making the road steam.
The car may have been out for a leisurely Sunday cruise.Unfortunatly it was only Wednesday and the driver was late for work at the local dive shop.The eyes behind the Foster Grant sunglasses were clear and bright but the brows were furrowed in a frown.Tuning out the world around him was a trick the young man had learnt at an early age.
Travelling as fast as the wet road would allow him he almost missed the hitchhiker on the shoulder.She was standing in the shadows of the large trees that dotted the side of the road and all he had time for was a quick glimpse of blonde hair and a green shirt.
"Ah hell,I'm already late" he muttered to himself as he pulled over and stopped.
"Where you headed" the slim blonde asked shyly
"Laguna Beach,I can take you as far as there" he said eyeing her brazenly from behind the Foster Grants.
"Cool" she smiled as she turned and waved to someone behind her.
The red head was as opposite to the blonde as one can be.Where the blonde was slim and sexy in a healthy colledge way the red head was as hard a woman as the young man had ever seen in his 18 years.
As he pulled back onto the road he stole a glance in the rearview mirror at the red head.She was staring out the window with a look on her face that made him wish he had never pulled over in the first place.
The blonde kept up an incessant drivel that started to annoy him after only five minutes or so.
"Wonder if she ever stops" he thought to himself.
"Melissa shut up" came a deep voice from the back seat."Let the boy drive"
"But he's interested in me" she whined "Ouch"
The red head had backhanded her friend across the face and split her lip open.
The man stepped on the brakes with the intention of stopping but was rewarded with a slap to the head as well.
"Keep moving junior"and to add reinforcement to the threat a gun was placed under his right ear."Slow and steady.We don't want to call attention to ourselves now do we?"
The teenager nodded dumbly.The Foster Grants had fallen of his face from the slap and his eyes were wide with terror.

th: Just great, keep it coming, keep it coming!!!!

Interesting. Keep going!! th:

come on Rob. Give us more. p:

Yes, more!

The young man groped on the floor with one hand and found his glasses.Slipping them on his nose he noticed the look in the red heads eyes and a huge knot started to form in his stomach.
At 18 he had never had a gun held this close to him before.The only violence he had seen was from t.v shows like Starsky and Hutch.That wasn't real though,this was and the barrel was cold where it pressed against his neck.
For some reason he found himself wondering what the bullet would feel like if she pulled the trigger right now.
Would it hurt?Would he even have time to react?Would his brain even register the fact that he had been shot?
He shook his head to clear away the thoughts and tried to concentrate on driving.He tried to keep the car between the white lines but found it hard as he spent most of his time looking in the rearview mirror at the gun.He glanced over at Melissa who was huddled against the passenger side door,with her arms wrapped around her knees,rocking back and forth making little strangling noises in her throat.He started to feel sorry for her but stopped himself when he realized that it was because of her he was in this predicament
"Keep to the highway pretty boy" redhead growled form the back seat"And head inland when you reach the interstate"
He nodded mutely wondering how he was going to explain this to his boss at the dive shop when he got back.
He paled for the second time that morning."If I even make it back alive" he thought.

th: Good, Good and then what happened????

good reading Rob... Keep it coming... bu:

Great story Rob, keep it coming w:

As the miles passed by all three settled into a routine.The redhead stared out the window and caressed the gun as if it was a favored pet.Melissa continued to make strange noises and kept huddled to herself against the passenger door.Occaisionally she glanced into the backseat only to be sent back to wherever she came from with a growl from the redhead.
The young man alternated looks between the road and the rearview mirror.Everything seemed to be a blur as they sped down the road.He did notice his boss standing outside the dive shop as he rushed past.At any other time the look on John's face would have had him in stitches but today it was just a sobbering reminder of where he was and what was happening.
He slowed ever so gently as he passed the shop and looked at John.He managed to mouth the words Help me before he heard the redhead stir from behind him.
He prayed John had seen him.He stole a glance in the mirror for what seemed the thousandth time but John was nowhere to be seen.The boy could only hope that he had recognized the plea and was now in his office and on the phone to the police.

yes. keep it coming det:

th: Great stuff

They turned off the highway at the interstate junction and headed East towards the Nevada border.The further east they travelled the less civilization they saw.It turned into farmland and the highway travelled as straight as an arrow.
"C.c.can I ask a question?" the boy stammered
The redhead turned from the window and regarded him in the mirror.
"No" was all she said.
"We need gas though" he said timidly.
The redhead sighed and smacked her hand on the back of the seat in anger.
"Next gas station.You fill up.You get back in the car.And you don't leave my sight.Understood?"
The young man nodded."Yes ma'am"
Melissa stirred and looked into the back seat.
"I need to go pee as well"she sobbed
"For crying out loud"Red growled"One at a time.First YOU go pee.Then YOU fill the car." she nodded at both of them."If you even think of doing anything funny"she left the though in mid air but the way she stroked the gun left no doubt as to her intentions..

:o Ok that chick is scaring me!


But keep it coming th:

They drove in silence until the recognizable large yellow clam of a Shell station appeared on the right.
The young man pulled up to a pump amd started to get out.
"Not you" red snapped from what had become her usual position."Melissa goes pee first then you boyo"
Melissa mutely nodded her head and reached for the door handle.She got out and stumbled around the back of the station looking for the bathroom.
The minutes seemed to tick by.
"If I don't get out and start pumping soon the attendant is going to get suspicious"he said.
"Damnit! Alright"
He started for the door handle and was stopped by her heavy hand on his shoulder."No funny business,and stay where I can see you."
He nodded and got out.
Red shook her head in frustration and got out of the car herself.
She walked into the little store that was attached to the station and grabbed a Diet Coke and a cinnamon danish.She looked out the window as Melissa ran back to the car and hopped into her place.
She looked at the attendant with a wan smile on her face.
"Give me all the money in the till or you will die"She showed just enough of the gun barrel to let the girl behind the counter know that she was serious.
"Yes ma'am"the frightened girl managed to say as she fumbled with the lock on the till.
"I said now" red yelled as she slammed her Coke down on the counter.
"I'm trying" the girl sobbed.Finally the till sprung open with an audible clink.
Reaching over the counter Red backhanded the attendant with her open hand sending her sprawling to the floor.She grabbed all the bills that were in the till and slowly walked to the door.Looking back at the young girl cowering in the corner she smiled.
"Thank-you very much my dear.Nice doing business with you"she was still laughing as she reached the car.
Pointing the gun at the boy she said
"You finished filling this land yacht yet?
"Yes"
"Good,get in and drive"
"But I need to pay for......"
"I said get in and drive" she yelled interrupting."NOW"

:o

How are those counselling sessions going, Rob? j:

Very well... thanks for asking ;)

I still hear the voices in my head but they aren't telling me what to do anymore :lol:

*Sssshhhhh he will hear us*

*No he won't*

*please shut up*



Ummm I have to go now Kelly.See you soon :lol: :lol:

Good stuff Rob th:

The car lurched out of the station narrowly missing a semi trailer and bounced onto the gravel shoulder.
"Be careful"Red growled "What are you trying to do....Kill us?" She laughed hollowly
"Yes ma'am" the youth stammered as he slowly pulled back onto the roadway.This time he looked both ways.

Once again the monotony of driving through the flat farmland began.Mile after mile of nothing but waving fields of hay broken by the occasional field of corn passed by.Again they settled into the same routine.
Melissa had finally stopped crying and was just staring out the window blankly.The boy was glad for the piece and quiet.
Plan after plan for escape ran through his mind but none ended successfully.They always seemed to end with his body laying on the ground riddled with bullets.He shuddered and tried to think of other,more pleasant things.Nothing came to mind.
"Turn right here"
The voice made him jump.Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Melissa jump as well and turn her head.
"Where are we going?" she said
Red looked as if she was going to start throwing her weight around again, but instead all she said was "I need sleep and I need you to keep an eye on junior here to make sure he doesn't do anything foolish"
She stuck the gun against his neck to re-inforce her idea.He nodded mutely.
"Pull around back of that barn over there" she motioned with her thumb.She tossed the gun to Melissa who caught it deftly."You remember how to use one of these?" Red asked her
"Yes" she said making sure the safety was off and cocking it gently.She pointed it at the boys head and whispered "BANG" before breaking into gales of laughter that had the boy more scared of her at that moment than Red.
"Shut up Melissa" the voice growled from the backseat."Wake me in a couple of hours.And try not to kill anything"

Boy Rob, you have a dark side. To much Stephen King perhaps? I like it. Can't wait to read more.

I've never read Stephen King.

She's actually modeled after an old girlfriend :lol: :unsure:
JK!!!

Well that explains a lot. :lol:

How bad was this ex girlfriend??
Oh, and th: th:

He swung the car around the barn and came to a stop.Red grunted and stretched out on the back seat with her head resting on the door handle and promptly started snoring.
Melissa was still giggling and pointing the gun at his head.The look in her eyes made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"How the hell did I get myself into this"he wondered.
He decided to take the bull by the horns and try and strike up a conversation with Melissa.
"Ummm do you mind if I get out and stretch my legs?I've been driving so long I'm starting to cramp up".
Melissa glanced at her accomplice snoring away in the backseat.
"Yeah,ok but I'm going with you.And no funny business" she waved the gun under his nose.He nodded and opened the door.
"Wait for me first" she said.She opened her door,walked around the front of the car and waved the gun at him again.She seemed to like the power that came with holding the weapon.It almost seemed like an extension of her arm.
"Get out real slow and keep your hands where i can see them" that sent her into fits of raucous laughter again."I sound like a cop don't I? she asked him between breaths."I've always wanted to say that"
He stood up and stretched and looked around.The barn door stood open and he wandered over and looked inside.The smell of horses and farm equipment hung heavy in the air.He moved inside far enough and stole a glance into the nearest stall and quickly concluded that it was empty.The next one as well.In neither stall was there any indication of them being used recently.He glanced back to the entrance and noticed Melissa watching him.He waved her to come inside but she shook her head.He watched her glance back at the car as if to ask permission but Red was still fast asleep.She motioned at him to come back outside and he slowly made his way back into the light.
Once outside his curiosity finally got the better of him.
"How did you get hooked up with her?"he asked pointing at the car.
"Who? C.C?"
"Yeah.Who else would I be talking about?he asked with a trace of sarcasm in his voice.
She turned sharply at his tone and waved the gun at him again."Don't get smart with me junior.I can use this you know?"
He threw his hands up in resignation and looked out at the fields behind the barn.
"You mind if we take a walk?" without waiting for an answer he started off.

"Hey! Come back here" Melissa hissed as if afraid that if she yelled Red would wake up
He kept walking towards the field.He feared she would shoot him in the back but he gritted his teeth and kept going.The sound of pounding feet getting closer reached his ears.
"Are you listening to me junior?" she panted when she caught up to him "Are you trying to get me killed?"If she finds out we're out here she'll kill us both damnit"She glanced fearfully back at the car.
Red was still snoring,blissfully dreaming of God knows what.
"That cow is probably going to kill me anyway after I take her to where she's going so what's the bloody difference" he muttered half to himself.
"Well I'm going to kill you right here and now if you don't stop"she said angrily.
That stopped him.He turned slowly and looked into her eyes.He certainly didn't like what he saw there.Something dark,something scary.Something he had never seen in his short life before.
He remembered something his dad had once told him when they had spent the night camping in the backyard.
"A cornered rat is the most dangerous animal"
This chick was that cornered rat.Stuck between him and Red she was starting to fray at the edges of sanity.That was what he had seen in her eyes.The way she waved the gun around,the way she looked at him,the way she laughed.It scared him more than Red.
At least with Red what you saw was what you got.No hidden agendas,no b.s. But Melissa was a different story altogether and Junior felt a cold chill crawl up his neck even though he was sweating in the hot sun.

He stopped suddenly and glanced back towards the barn.
"Ok,let's go back.Wonder if there is any food in there. I'm starving"
He threw a sidelong glance at Melissa and saw her mouth tighten into a hard line.He saw the shift in her eyes and instinctively dropped to the ground as she brought the gun up and fired.
He felt the bullet graze his head and smelt the acrid gunpowder as he rolled away into a hay bale.
"Goddamnit it" he heard her curse
"Melissa,What the hell are you doing?" he heard Red bellow
Her only reply was a giggle from somewhere above him.........

Nice to see another addition to this story, hope you're going to continue writing it, Rob :)

I will when I get a spare second from my busy,hectic couch life ;)

Righty-o

Almost forgot this story. Glad you posted again Heep. Hope you do some more again. :)

Great job! th: The story really keeps you guessing! :lol:

I can't wait for more!! th: th:

Interesting premise, well-executed. I hope there is more to come

"Come out,Come out, whever you are" Melissa giggled."I'm coming to get ya! You can't hide forever."
"Goddamnit Melissa,what the hell are you doing?"Red yelled again as she lumbered towards them.
"He was trying to run away" she whined "I didn't hit him honest.I was just trying to scare him"
"Well,where the hell is he?We can't leave since he took the car keys with him.Find him NOW!"She yelled again
"He went in there"Melissa whined again as she pointed towards the hay bale,"He couldn't have gotten far"
"Give me that pitchfork then" Red growled as she snatched the deadly looking instrument from her partners hand.
Junior tried to control his frightened breathing and burrowed further into the hay without making his position known.But he knew Melissa was right,he couldn't hide in here forever,eventually they'd find him and he doubted she'd miss next time.
Jesus it's hot in here he thought to himself as he wriggled further into the bale trying to ignore the itchy hay that seemed to be getting into every joint and under every bit of clothing.He winced as a sharp piece of hay dug under his fingernail and drew blood.
He gasped as he heard the pitchfork being thrust into the bale.His every instinct told him the move but he seemed to be frozen to the ground.He could hear the pitchfork getting closer and he finally willed himself to move deeper into the hot hell hole.He tried to remember what was on the other side of the bale but he hadn't been paying attention.Remind me to shake my teachers hand for correctly indentifying that little trait he thought to himself.If I make out of this alive he added.
"This is pointless and a waste of time" Red said "Give me the gun Melissa,we don't have time for this stupidity"
Wh..What are you going to do? she stammered as she handed the revolver to the bigger girl.
"What do you think I'm going to do? I'm going to shoot the little prick,get his keys and drive outta here."
"But I thought you said we weren't going to kill anyone else,you said we were going to steal our last car and that would be the end of it"
"Shut up Melissa,you talk to much.I've changed my mind for now.Womans perogative you know" she laughed harshly at her own little joke.

Junior suddenly felt something at his back.He moved his hand along the wall of the barn and sighed with relief.Moving slowly he crept along the wall and found a crack large enough to squeeze his body through just as the first bullet scorched into the bale and smacked the wall five feet from his head.
He tumbled into the relative coolness of the barn and lay on the ground for a second to catch his breath.He could hear the bullets striking the barn and above it all the maniacal laughter from Melissa.
He stood on wobbly legs and looked around the dim interior searching for a hiding place or an escape route.
Unfortunately the ladies,and he used that term very loosely,were between him and his car.He had to figure a way to get to the car."Come on Jack,think mate" he mumbled to himself.He tilted his head and listened.The shooting had stopped but he could still hear Melissa's laugh.
"Let me try" he heard her say."I want to put a hole in his head" she giggled again.
Jack stood in the gloom and shuddered.

Happy to see you're writing again, Heep!! Can't wait to see how this story turns out!! And don't forget your other story about young Dirk and Al finding the dead man in the boat and running a bad guy and his truck off the road. w:

"How the hell do I get myself into these things" he said to himself as he bent over and put his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
Suddenly he stiffened.
"Going somewhere?" Red asked as she pressed the warm barrel into his neck."Don't ever try that again or next time I'll let Melissa have her wish."
Jack sagged in defeat.
"Outside.NOW!" she waved the gun in his face as if to reinforce her words.Not that Jack needed any reinforcing.He slowly walked to the door and looked at Melissa standing by the car.She waved at him and smiled.He shook his head.
Red prodded him in the back with the pistol."Let's go.Get in the damn car and drive.Someone must have heard the shots and called the cops."
Jack fished the keys from his pocket and slid behind the wheel.Red got in the back and Melissa took up her position curled on the passenger seat.
"Drive" Red growled
Jack looked in the rearview mirror."Where?"
"Down to the damn highway and away from the city for a start"
In the distance they could hear sirens.Jack wondered if it was thanks to John,hopefully he had given them the vehicle description too.
Melissa looked up from her fetal position with a questioning glance.Red gave a small shake of her head."Later"
She went back to staring vacantly out the window as the scenery sped past.
"Slow down moron,you want every cop in the county to find us.Just drive the damn speed limit and we won't arouse suspicion"
He nodded mutely wishing he was anywhere but here.
"censored" He heard Red exclaim from behind him.
He glanced in the mirror and saw flashing lights,he stole a look at the speedometer and noted they were withing the speed limit.He started to pull to the shoulder as the police cruiser sped up behind him.His heart was pounding in his chest as it came closer and the siren filled his ears.Any hope that the cop knew the description of the car was dashed as it sped past
He wondered who would have shot first,the cop or Red.The cop was bound by laws but Red was desperate and not governed by anything except self preservation.Melissa had made herself even smaller in the passenger seat,if that was possible,and even Red had crouched down and made herself smaller.The cop hadn't noticed,he just gave Jack a wave of thanks.
Jacks heart sank into his boots as he watched the cruiser dissappear over the next rise.

Wow! I really feel for Jack. Red is one mean "censored". Hopefully this story will have a happy ending. w:

"Jesus,that was close"Red whispered as she followed the cruiser with her eyes till it disappeared.She glanced behind her and studied the road making sure it was empty."We need to get off this highway"
Jack looked at her in the rearview mirror."Where?" He managed to ask through his fear."I don't see any cross roads"
She shook her head "Keep driving and turn on the first road we come to"
"Which way?"
"I don't care" she growled."And stop asking questions" Once again the gun was used to make her point.
"I have to go to the bathroom" came a small voice from the passenger seat.
Red rolled her eyes "Hold it" She growled and went back to staring out the window.
Melissa whimpered but didn't say a word.
Jack pressed his foot on the gas pedal as the car started up the hill.Just as they reached the crest a movement in the tall grass at the side of the road caught his eye.
"What the...?"He muttered as his head swivelled around.
Red noticed the car slowing down and shifted in the back seat."Keep moving moron"
"Sorry.I thought I saw something" Jack stammered.
This got her attention and she sat up straighter."Where?"
"Over there in the grass" he pointed off to his left.
Both of them stared out the window trying to see something when a quiet "Oh crap" from the passenger seat brought them back to the present.
They both stared through the windshield but both had differing reactions.
Red smacked her hand against the seat back in frustration as Jack slammed the brakes and brought the car to a stop halfway down the hill.
All three stared throught he windshield at the line of police cars ranged across the highway a hundred yards in front of them.

Hehehehe...hopefully Red will go to jail!!! p:

"Get us the hell outta here" Melissa whispered.
Jack gave a scared laugh "That might be a problem"
Melissa looked over at him with a hard glint in her eyes and the gun starting to rise off her lap. "No problem at all.Just put the car in reverse and get us the f**k outta here.NOW!!" she yelled as once again she started to caress the gun barrel.
Jack gulped and nodded slowly as he shifted the lever to reverse.As he swung around in his seat he stopped and stared at the two police cars that had silently topped the rise and boxed them in from behind.
"What's the matter now moron?" Red said from the back seat
He thumbed behind them and they both turned to look.Jack saw the color drain from Melissa's face as she realized the gig was up and there was no escaping.Red on the other hand had no such reaction,she sized up the situation with a glance and without waiting smacked Jack on the side of the head."Just drive forward slowly.When I tell you turn off the highway and hit the gas.OK?"
He nodded mutely and rubbed the reddening skin of his face.He had no other option than to put his faith in her and do whatever she said.He still might get out of this with his life.
Another smack to the side of the head."Then start driving you idiot,stop sitting in the middle of the road like a deer caught in the headlights"
Jack shifted into drive and made his way forward.They could all see the cops spring into action and raise their weapons towards the moving vehicle while scrambling to find cover.Except for one officer who stood in front of the lead cruiser.The commanding officer Jack thought.He's got guts to put himself out there like that knowing these two were armed.He glanced in the rearview mirror at Red,but she was looking out the back window at the two cruisers that were slowly following them down the hill keeping about twenty yards away.She shook her head and turned to look out the windshield at the forces arranged in front of them.
She reached over and smacked Melissa "Ouch!What was that for" she screached.
"Keep alert,there may be cops hiding in the grass as well"
Melissa nodded mutely as she too rubbed her face.
Jack smiled to himself.But it was a short lived smile as he felt the ever present gun barrel against his neck again.
He felt Reds breath on his cheek"Slow down a bit"she whispered into his ear"You see that little clearing on the right?"
He started to turn his head but she pressed the gun further into his neck making him wince in pain."Don't turn your head just look out the corner of your eye.When we reach it you get this old bus moving.You understand?".
He grunted in acceptance.

As soon as the tires touched the gravel Jack hit the gas and the car lurched forward.
"Pothole" Melissa yelled as the car bounced violently forcing Jack to momentarily slow down.
"Pothole my ass" Red grumbled."That was a friggin' mini Grand Canyon".She laughed at her own joke.
The car rumbled along swerving back and forth as Jack tried desperately to miss the huge holes that dotted the road.
"Some road" he thought to himself."I've seen better donkey tracks"
A movement in the mirror caught his eye and he twisted in his seat."We've got company again" he said quietly.
Red turned and looked out the rear window."Goddamn it,don't they ever give up"
Jack had to laugh at that statement."They're cops lady.Cops don't give up until they've either caught you or killed you"
If looks could kill the he'd be dead from the look on Red's face
Melissa looked up from her fetal position."I don't want to die" she whimpered.
"Oh for Christs sake Melissa we are not going to die ok"Red said impatiently."Can this piece of crap go any faster Junior?"
For an answer Jack pressed his foot harder onto the gas pedal and the car surged forward leaving a plume of dust in it's wake that obscured everything behind them.
Red grunted her approval.
They drove on in silence for the next 1/2 hour.
Red and Jack jumped at the the sound of a gun being discharged.Both looked over to see Melissa waving the gun back and forth out the window and firing blindly.The sound of the gun was terrifiyingly loud in the small confines of the car.
"What the hell are you doing?" Red screamed at her.
"I thought I saw something" Melissa whined,still swinging the gun back and forth.
Red shook her head as if she'd heard it all before."You always say you see things.Just give me the gun Melissa.You're going to hurt someone waving it around like that"
Melissa gave a small cackle and started to wave it at Jack."Bang,Bang" she whispered cackling again.
Jack wondered what he'd gotten himself into as he shook his head and tried to concentrate on keeping the car between the ruts and out of the ditches.