Closing Time...The Story Continues

Continued from yesterday's blog post...

Amber turned and ran toward her car as fast as she could.

"Stay calm," Amber said between breaths, her lungs burning, her mind racing. "Don't look back...stay calm...don't look back...get to the car...Get To The Car...GET TO THE CAR!"

A million thoughts echoed in her skull as she got closer and closer to the Subaru. Amber ran track in high school, a sprinter. She knew she was fast, but she also knew most boys could beat her, even on the JV squad. Even though Todd was older and didn't appear to be into staying fit, let alone running, she knew if he wanted to, he'd probably catch her before she reached the car, and then...

"Get to the car!"

Amber dug into into the front pocket of her jeans grabbing frantically for her keys. Got em--she yanked her hand out and the keys went flying in front of her, light from a solitary street light glinted off the Disneyland keyring she bought just last year. Mickey's smile mocked her fear. Thankfully, the keys flew forward and hung in the air in front of her. All thoughts vanished as the petit brunette focused solely on catching the keys. If they hit the ground, it could literally cost her life.

The keys descended and fell into her outstretched hand. She caught them without slowing down.

Twenty feet to the car--she just might live through this nightmare.

Instinctively, her thumb moved to the button on the key fob that unlocked the door. The clicking sound of the doors unlocking synced perfectly with the flashing of the car's parking lights. Two clicks, two flashes. At least she wouldn't have to unlock the door.

Ten feet.

Five feet.

"Stay calm, don't look back."

She slammed into the side of the car not wanting to slow down for even a microsecond. She broke two fingernails as her left hand grabbed for the handle. She pulled it back, the door flew open, the force she used caused the door to reach its apex and fly back into her, hitting her in the side.

Amber felt nothing. She jumped in the car and reached for the door as it began to open a second time.

She caught the inside handle and pulled with all her strength. The power of the slamming door carried with it cool night air causing a small pressure imbalance in her ears. Amber quickly hit the automatic door lock and the reassuring click rang throughout the cabin. The only sound remaining was her heavy breathing, mixed with a high wheeze as her lungs pumped air in and out, in and out.

Safe.

Though, she wasn't truly safe until she was as far away from Todd as possible. For the first time, she looked back to the corner where only seconds earlier she stood with Todd. She expected to see him charging after her, even though she never heard any footsteps or sounds coming from him.

She saw...nothing. No charging killer, no murderous co-worker standing at the corner. At the very least, she expected to see him, somewhere.

He disappeared.

Somehow not knowing where Todd was caused more fear to seep into Amber's mind. She had to get out of there and she had to do it now. 

The keys were still in her shaking hand. She tried unsuccessfully to inset the key into the ignition, but the shaking prevented her from making contact. She took one deep breath and blew out the air. The simple act allowed her to focus on putting the key into the ignition.

Now, all she had to do was start the car and get the hell out of there.

She turned the key.

A knock came on the passenger's side window.

Amber screamed.