And so our story moves forward. Hope you’re enjoying it. Remember, if you need to read any of the previous chapters, they are available through the archives.

 

CHRYSALIS–CHAPTER 6

 

As she walked toward the bar, Chryssie could barely stay awake. There was no way she could think about this mess. The police couldn’t really believe she had anything to do with the murder, could they?

Of course, they did. Her picture had been flashed all across the TV screen. Not only did the police think that, but probably every person she knew would believe it.

She turned the corner. The bar was across the street.

Her feet stopped. She couldn’t believe what she was looking at.

A police car was parked in front of the bar.

Maybe, it was a coincidence. She sighed. Or maybe not.  She couldn’t take the chance. So, she’d get her car, find a place to sleep, and then figure out what to do next.

Quickening her pace, she walked across the street and into the alley. The memories of last night in the alley flooded in as she walked the same steps. She shook them away. This was not the time think about it. Right now, she had to get her car and then talk with Chuck.

Once she was in the alley, her heart rate slowed. She walked towards the parking lot and her car. As she came to the bar’s back door, she stopped.

Maybe, she could slip into the back and wait for the police to leave. That way, she could talk to Chuck afterwards. Was that really the best thing to do? If she talked to Chuck, she would be involving him in her mess.

That didn’t seem fair.

In her current state of exhaustion, that seemed to be the only solution she could come up with–talking to Chuck.

She rubbed her head in an attempt to clear her thinking. It didn’t help. OK, she’d hide in the bar until Chuck was alone. As her hand touched the doorknob, she remembered it was always kept locked unless someone was out here smoking.

There went that plan out the window.

On to her car.

Taking a deep breath, she moved down the alley. When she’d reached the end of it, she stopped. Looking around, she assessed the situation. Not much to see. A few people were walking to their own cars, some with shopping bags.

It was a bit of a walk from The Maze but parking was free. The lots nearer charged up to fifteen dollars. Some of the hardier shoppers chose to walk the distance to save the money.

She rubbed her sweaty palms together and took a deep breath. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. All she had to do was step out of the shadow of the alley, walk to her car, then leave.

A piece of cake.

And yet, there she stood. Not moving .  Just staring. She couldn’t shake the bad feeling she had. It was just paranoia on her part. And with good reason after all that had happened to her in the past twelve hours.

She couldn’t just stand here in the alley forever.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out moving quickly towards her car. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a van door open. Her heart skipped a beat.

Her feet slowed on their own accord, but nothing happened.

Another tentative step towards her car. Only a few more to go.

The van door was open but no one stepped out. Maybe, it was just a coincidence. Pulling her key out of her jean’s pocket, she jogged towards the car. She heard a noise behind her.

Her head swung towards the noise.

Two men were rushing at her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another man jump out of the van. Not good, but she was at the car. Sticking the key in the lock, she twisted.

At the same time, the two men grabbed her arms.

She screamed, but no one was around to hear her. As she kicked at them and struggled, they dragged her to the van. Lifting her up, the two men heaved her inside and tossed her on the floor.

Before she could sit up, one of the men was on top of her.

“Keep her quiet.” A voice said.

His hand clamped down on her mouth.

Chryssie bit it.

The man called her a name and in the next instant, his fist connected to her mouth.  Pain exploded and then the stars and then darkness.

 

UNTIL NEXT TIME…God Bless and Good Reading!