by John French
“Don’t move. Don’t turn. As a matter of fact don’t even take another breath.” The voice was timid, but I could tell she meant business.
“I,” I began to say.
“No talking either!” She yelled. “Throw your gun down and slowly take a few steps away from it.”
I wasn’t going to argue with that one. She hadn’t shot me yet, so there was a good chance she wasn’t going to. That is if I could convince her that I wasn’t a maniac. I quickly thumbed the safety to make sure it was on, and then dropped the rifle where I stood. I took five steps forward very slowly before she told me to stop. I didn’t dare move my head, so I scanned what I could of the area in front of me. There must be someone else here. It was the only reason I could think of that would cause her to risk trying to capture me. I was sure if I did anything, I would be receiving a deadly blow from some unseen gun aimed at me. She started to walk closer to me heard her walking closer to me.
“Just keep looking forward and don’t move.” She continued with her directions as she stopped very near to me.
I could hear her picking up my rifle. I closed my eyes again and felt even sicker when I realized she probably didn’t have a gun until just now. It was possible she was alone, and after picking up my rifle she was probably going to use it to make sure she stayed alone! Alright, I thought to myself, I’ve made a few mistakes today. I could feel my hands becoming cold and clammy. I started to think I was going to pass out before anything else happened.
“Very slowly,” she began to say. “Get down on your knees and place your hands on your head.”
I knelt down and followed her directions by placing my hands on my head. This was it. All this time surviving, and I was about to be executed from behind by a woman using my very own rifle. I wasn’t even a bad guy! I was just looking for someone to talk to! Man was I stupid. I kept my eyes closed as she began to walk around me. I still hadn’t heard the safety click over, so it was possible I might have a slim chance in taking the rifle before she shot me. Yeah, I was getting out of this. There was no way I was going to die today here in this valley. I cleared my mind and listened for the safety.
I thought I heard her cry or gasp for breath. I still didn’t open my eyes though. She was right in front of me now, and I was afraid if she saw my eyes she might shoot. Then I heard a thud, and then what sounded like my rifle falling to the ground. She was definitely crying, or hurt maybe? I slowly started to open my eyes. My hands fell from my head and I too almost choked with tears.
There she was with her hands covering her mouth and tears running down her face. Her face was dirty and her clothing riddled with holes. Her hair was pulled back and tied off in a pony tail. Her frail body shook as she dropped to her knees, tears still endlessly flowing from her eyes. Her eyes were so beautiful. There was just something about those green eyes that made my heart stop.
“Hello Anslee.” I softly spoke as I slowly stood up again.
Anslee rose to her feet and ran to me, gripping her arms around me like her life depended on it. I held her tightly in my arms comforting her, and pulled her head in against my chest.
“It’s going to be ok.” I whispered. “It’s going to be ok.”
About the Author
John French is an avid outdoorsman who lives in New Hampshire with his family. He has been working on his next book which is a horror story. He is also presently researching for a series he hopes to start soon that takes place during the French and Indian Wars.
If you enjoyed this book, please see ‘Stories From A New England Campfire’. This is a book of short supernatural stories by the author.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Preface
Chapter One Three Years Ago
Chapter Two A Plan Is Needed
Chapter Three Preparing
Chapter Four Falling Apart
Chapter Five Strength from Solitude
Chapter Six Things Are Looking Up?
Chapter Seven Survival
Chapter Eight Silence is Broken
Chapter Nine Searching for Answers
Chapter Ten The Decision
Chapter Eleven A Place of Rest
Chapter Twelve Familiar Eyes
About the Author