Too much thinking about the news and the things women deal with…
–
“Hey, baby.” He jumped in front of her, but she jogged around him.
She let her music drown out any lame pick up lines he may have lobbed her away. He was far behind her after a few steps.
Ridiculous, she mused. She rolled her eyes as she waited for the light to change. Why do these guys think bullshit like that will work? She was obviously not interested and not dressed in anyway to invite conversation.
The light changed and she jogged across the street and on to the park trail. She just needed to log a few miles before dinner at her parents.
This was a path she’d run often, no matter the time of day. It was safe, well lit, well trafficked…
With Method Man blaring in her ear, she shot down the path.
Trees whizzed by, so did a number of people. She was nearly to the other end of the trail, her watch buzzing to let her know she needed to turn back, when someone bumped into her hard from behind.
She went to the ground, shocked as the wind is knocked out of her. Before she can recover, she’s dragged into the bushes just off the path.
A hand covers her mouth, muffling her screams. She felt the knife at her side and it stilled her movements.
“I watch you run this way all the time and you always ignore me.” He kissed her neck. “Why can’t you just say hello?”
He sliced a line down her running pants, opening the crouch. The trembled hit as she realized what he’d do to her.
Just survive. As he pushed her to the ground, following her down to lay heavy on top of her, she told herself to lay still. She wanted to survive this so she could make it back to her house and never leave it again.