Dialogue-4

The rain poured down from swollen clouds. A chill wind blew through the woods and distant thunder rumbled from time to time. Erica looked small and fragile as long brown hair stuck to her body. Her red dress was muddy and the sleeve was torn where he'd grabbed her. The dress tearing finally as she slid down the embankment. The rain made her slippery and the dress tearing as she railed against her attacker gave her the chance to escape. He'd seemed so nice when first she met him but anticipation tuned to terror quickly enough.

Erica was a small plain woman with a light tan. She'd always been ten or so pounds under weight and many of her friends commented on how tiny she was. How could she have made the decision to meet a strange man at a cabin in the woods? Why did he want to kill her? None of that mattered right now because Erica needed to make a choice: Left or right?

In a flash she decided. Pushing off from a twisted oak she ran right. She was sure that would lead her to the road. In either direction she knew that houses were not too far. Help was only a few miles away. She had no proof she'd not already lost her attacker and none he wasn't close. Keeping on running seemed the best choice. The rain was letting up and the thunder subsiding but the wind worsened. Erica's body shook with cold as she tried to navigate the uneven flooring. Her shoes long gone and stockings torn to shreds by underbrush were the least of her problems because Erica also lost her purse and with it the inhaler. Already wheezing while climbing a third hill Erica began to pray the road was close. What if she chose wrong? Deeper into woods might be her undoing if breathing didn't improve. One final hill, at least that is what she told herself, Erica.

Muscles shaking and teeth chattering she arrived at the top of the hill. From that vantage point even in darkness she could tell the woods ended...a field across the road. It wasn't far to go. In less than a minute Erica managed to stumble to the road. Looking left and right trying to remember the way to town. What did it matter since houses dotted both directions. She chose left. But her legs like lead and breathing more and more shallow made for difficult going. After a few minutes she fell to the ground. Intending to sit turned into a flop as Erica collapsed in the road. Her chest being crushed by a vice as ribs felt banded in iron brought fear of dying. Erica turned over, now almost in the center of the road, on her belly and tried sucking in air that way. Did not work. 'Concentrate Erica'...

Anita looked out at the subsiding storm and thought about how movie night had gone pretty well. She'd had a bit too much to drink but so what. When her husband finally got home and crawled into bed with her she curled up to him and his warmth. He let it happen. Good. But now she was alone again and the short cuddling session felt more dreamlike than reality. The phone rang several times before the protest was too much. Anita answered.

"Hey honey, I just thought I'd call to check on you."

"Okay." Anita twirled the cord around her finger as she walked back to the island of the kitchen and away from the big window behind her. Dishes were still soaking in the sink. Anita found it hard to think of another single word to say to her husband.

"I know I've been working lot a hours but I've had so much to take care of..." His voice trailed off and the dead air became evident.

"Are you coming home soon?"

"In a couple hours, I've a few things to wrap up, I will be."

"Okay, I'm fine. The storm was not as bad as predicted." Anita turned to look out the window but it was the pile of dishes that drew her attention. "I have some work to do dear I need to get going." More silence.

"Okay, see you soon."

She hung up the phone and sighed. Tonight she was totally alone and feeling it too. No Drell tonight...no one at all. Wondering into the study she checked one last time. No Drell.

Drell7: Hello, you still around?

Kitegrl: Sure am, where were you?

Drell7: Had to do some errands. Storm held me up.

Kitegrl: Fine, no big. Lets talk.

Drell7: I'm pretty tired. I signed on only to say hello. I really will have to go in a few minutes.

A few minutes was sure better than nothing. Anita looked at her watch and typed a response.

Kitegrl: I've got dishes to do, so that works out fine.

To be continued...