Page 4 of Thea's Hero

An earlier thought flashes through my head.

What if I drove off the road?

I’ve read about people doing it in books. In the books, the accident inevitably knocks the carjacker out since he doesn’t have a seatbelt on, and the main character escapes with only a few bumps and bruises.

And I know this is real life and not a fictional story, but authors have to get their ideas from somewhere, right?

What other choice do I have? Keep driving to this person’s ultimate destination, where I’ll be beaten or assaulted or killed? Is it a man? Does he want to—

No. I can’t think about it. I have to try something.

But I’m terrified.

I’m not brave or strong. I don’t have any special skills aside from being extremely organized and able to read children’s stories in multiple voices. The idea of crossing a darkened parking lot freaked me out. And now I’m contemplating driving off the road to foil my carjacker slash abductor?

This is crazy.

“This road,” the voice reminds me. “Turn left.”

There’s not much time left. Almost breathless with fear and anticipation, I quickly cobble together a plan.

Just as I’m supposed to turn, jerk the car off the road. Aim for that cluster of small-ish trees. As soon as we hit, grab my phone and get out. Run for the woods and pray I don’t get caught.

Only feet from the turn, I glance in the rearview mirror again. The gun is still aimed at the floor.

I signal to turn left, almost bursting into hysterical laughter at the irony of it.

Heart slamming against my chest, never more scared in my life, I yank the wheel to the left.

We go shooting off the road, thumping down onto the grass, heading for the trees.

The voice shouts—half mechanical garble, half human shriek.

A tree rushes up, so much bigger than it looked from the road.

Oh, crap—

Everything happens in an instant.

Noise. Crashing. Shattering. Screaming.

A terrible jolt. A slash of pain. Everything spins.

Maybe this wasn’t a good—

Blackness closes in.

Chapter 2

BEN

As soon as I walk through the door to the station, I feel like a minor celebrity.

With dual cries of delight, Ryan and Willow leap up from their chairs and rush over to me.

Although they’re not excited to see me, but rather what I’m bringing with me.

Willow at least makes an attempt at courtesy, flashing me a quick grin and saying, “Good to see you, Ben!”

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