The trees would ensure an even playing field, forcing them on foot if they really wanted to come after me. It didn’t take long for my cold hands to warm up. Sweat started to dampen the small of my back and underarms. My face hurt and without my cool hands to help it, my cheek started to swell.
When I topped the next rise in the road, I spotted their car parked on the west side of the road a fair distance after the start of the trees. I couldn’t tell if they waited in the car, or if they already hid in the woods. I stopped my approach glancing right then left. Neither side of the road presented a better option. Three fields deep on each side before the nearest tree line. They’d spot me before I made it very far and easily cut me off leaving me exposed in the middle of a hard to navigate the field. They could probably see me right now, standing on the rise. If I turned around, they’d most likely just follow.
My stomach churned. I hated my life, but not enough to walk willingly into a fight I’d lose. They’d already bruised my face. What would they do to me next? I couldn’t imagine it would be an apology. I eyed the clouds. I didn’t have time to stand still and debate my next move. Dusk stole closer. I didn’t see that I had any other option. They were determined to confront me again.
Taking a deep breath and gripping my rock, I started the long walk forward. The wind blew across the fields playing with my hair and tickling my ears. The sweat I’d worked up cooled too quickly. At least the chill felt good on my face.
As I approached, I heard the wind rattling through the barren branches of the approaching trees and the outline of the car’s two occupants. I stayed focused on them.
Both car doors creaked as Brian and Clavin opened them and got out.
I didn’t stop advancing.
About twenty feet away I called, “How much do you like your car?”
Clavin called back, “How much you like your teeth?”
Well, that made their intent very clear. I pulled back my arm and threw the rock at the car’s back window.
My plan? Throw the rock as a distraction, run past Brian, who’d presumably freak about his car, and bolt into the trees in the general direction of home.
Instead, I watched in horror as the rock flew straight at Clavin. Despite what they’d done to me, I didn’t want to hurt them in return. Clavin saw the rock sailing toward him and tried to dodge. It clipped his hip with a deep muffled sound and he folded over yelling in pain.
Brian stood frozen holding his door staring at me in shock for a moment before running around the car to check his friend. I returned his shocked stare with one of my one. What had I just done?! I’d created the distraction I needed.
Shedding the brief paralysis, I sprinted across the road opposite their car into the trees. If they caught me… I cringed at the thought and ran faster dodging around trees to move steadily deeper into their cover. Through my fear, I focused to maintain a sense of direction instead of running blindly. The cloud filled sky made it difficult.
Too soon, I had to stop because of a stitch in my side and the ache in my face. Bent over near a clump of bramble gasping for air, I tried to listen for pursuit. Their voices echoed distantly from the direction I’d run as they yelled to each other. I couldn’t see them.
Shaking with adrenaline and dread, I wanted to cry. Walking softly over the leaf-strewn ground, I snuck from tree to tree making my way back toward the road where the trees thinned. After a few moments of quiet movement, their yelling stopped. I counted on them thinking I’d head straight toward my house and keep heading in that direction.
By the time I reached the road, I could breathe semi-normally. The wind swept over me through the thinning trees. The dry rough bark of one of the trees lining the road bit into my palms as I leaned against it to risk a look. In the distance, their car still sat on the shoulder just north of my position. At least I’d passed it.
Sprinting across the road in an attempt to minimize my time in the open I leapt back into the cover of the trees on the other side and tripped on a dead broken branch half covered by fallen leaves. Going down hard, I skinned the palm of my right hand.
Immediately scrambling to a crouch, I held my breath and listened again. Nothing. Not necessarily a good sign. They could be anywhere. Moving quietly, I made my way further into the trees and started following the general direction of the road. I had no idea how much time elapsed, but the fading light spurred me on.
Tired and sore, I jogged when I could and walked when I couldn’t, making slow progress. Several times, in the distance, I heard a car on the road and quickly dropped to the ground. I wasn’t sure how far in they’d be able to see driving past, but didn’t want to take a chance.
After a while, the long shadows in the trees forced me to the road, which proved fortunate. I recognized my surroundings, the familiar bend in the road. So close to home.