A Time To Die

Sandy was lost. Her car sank into a pot-hole; stuck. As she steered the wheel, the car dropped deeper into the hole. She started the motor, but it wouldn’t budge. Sopping wet, mud didn’t help. Looming clouds cast a subtle darkness around her. Here she was, deserted in the middle of nowhere.

She rummaged into her bag and grasped her mobile phone. Oh, Christ. Battery dead. Stepping out of the car with the gusty wind brushing her cheeks like a razor-sharp knife, puddles around her stained the edge of her pants. She skipped over the water. Her shoulders flattened as she shook her head as if no-one could save her, including herself.

Sandy headed to the other side of the car, opened the passenger door and pulled out her bulky leather bag with its thick straps. It weighed her down with its books, notepads, a manila folder, laptop, pens, dead phone, wallet and tissues. She had been on her way back from an author talk in Clunes but lost her way after her GPS malfunctioned. She hadn’t needed her charger for the quick trip up and back, but now she wished she’d brought it.

Sandy waited by the side of the road and walked towards some semblance of civilisation. Trucks and cars drove by, and she considered waving for help, but then decided it was too risky. She’d rather walk up the road, as despite not seeing anything for at least ten minutes, it should only take an hour or more to reach for help.

A driver in a red Volkswagen beeped its horn but she ignored it while strolling along, tightening her hold on the bag as the chill penetrated her bones. The driver slowed down and opened the window. “You need a lift?”

She shivered. “No, I’m good.”

He ushered over with his head. “Come on, love. I don’t bite. Let me drive you to wherever you need to go. I promise I’m not a serial killer.”

Her skin crawled, so she waved him away. “I’m fine.”

He parked his car and walked towards her, displaying his lanky frame and beady, blood-shot eyes. “I’m guessing you don’t have a phone.” He drew closer. “If my phone wasn’t dead too, I’d get you to use mine.”

She flinched. “Hmm.” She rushed on ahead, but he kept on her tail. “My boyfriend’s coming, and he’ll be mad.”

“Come on, love. Let me buy you a drink at least. I can show you I’m harmless.”

A black SUV slowed down then stopped. The driver parked by the side of the road and scurried out. He was solidly-built with a taut chest over a white t-shirt and skin-tight black jeans with well-developed muscles. His black crew-cut matched his square jaw and emerald-green eyes. Wow. “What’s going on here?”

“This man is harassing me.”

He grabbed him by the arm. “Please get in your car and leave.”

He yanked his arm away. “This is none of your damn business, man. Clear off.”

The sexy guy pulled him by the scruff of his shirt, dragged him to his car and shoved him inside. “Leave or I’ll call the police.” The man stuck up his middle finger, revved the car and drove off.

He rushed back towards her, but she kept walking, not keen to trust a stranger despite his rescue. “Do you need help?”

She kept her pace. “No, I’m good. I’m meeting a friend up ahead.”

He increased his own pace. “Up ahead, where?”

“The nearest building.”

“It’s going to take you at least two hours to get to the petrol station or hotel. I’d be happy to drive you. The road’s hard to walk along so it’d be easier to go by car.”

“I don’t know….”

He waved a hand, his eyes softening. “Totally fine. It’s your choice but no problem for me. It is a long stretch though, and you are free to do as you like.” The man turned back and strolled back to his car.

But she couldn’t ignore the flutter in her chest, curious about how it would feel if his strong arms tightened around her waist. Silly. She didn’t know this man and couldn’t go off with a stranger. Would her legs carry her for almost two hours? What if he was right?

But when droplets of water sprinkled down, she sighed in frustration.

Her sister was always telling her to take risks and have adventures, and this guy appeared to be friendly enough. No harm in a quick drive that would most likely only take ten or fifteen minutes. She’d be spared getting wet, tired and dehydrated.

She ran towards him. “Wait. I’ll come with you.”

He gazed back and waited for her to join him. “Great,” he smiled, with his perfect white teeth.

Sandy entered the passenger door, her back resting against the fine leather seats. Scents of jasmine and lavender filled the space. It smelled new.

“I’m Ezra by the way, and you are?”

“Sandy,” she said.

He gripped the steering wheel, started the motor and slowly drove off. “Where are you coming from?”

Why did he need to be handsome; even reminding her of an exboyfriend she had loved but who’d travelled overseas for a better career. It wasn’t like he hadn’t asked her to go with him, but she had wanted to start her English teaching career. They were too young while still studying at university five years ago, but she still loved him. “I did an author talk in Clunes as I’m a part-time author. What do you do?”

“Oh, I’m into ecommerce, manage a few businesses. It’s what I love because I can work virtually anywhere. But lately I’ve thought about getting into youth work. I studied years ago and am thinking of helping those affected by drugs.” He rubbed underneath his eye. “It’s a worldwide problem, isn’t it?” Was he tearing up?

“Are you all right?”

He waved his left hand away as he steered with his right. “I’ll be fine, but thanks for asking.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “What happened with your car back there?”

“Oh, it got stuck in a pothole, so I’ll need help to get it out.”

“Right. You can ask for help when we get there. You might need a tow.”

The later silence was comforting as Ezra turned on the radio to the sound of jazz, the soothing sounds causing her to relax against the seats with her feet resting on shiny black mats. “How far until we get to the petrol station?” He didn’t respond.

***

He must not have heard her question, seemingly in his own world. “We’re still in a deserted area, aren’t we? Where is the petrol station?”

Ezra turned to her with light in his eyes. “Not far. Your car will be out in no time.” He pressed his lips together. “You remind me of someone, and she was beautiful, sexy, had the brightest blue eyes, and….”

Her heart tingled, his words arousing her. She wanted him, but how could she entertain such thoughts with a stranger? She’d always got to know men before intimacy. “And what?”

Ezra licked his lips. “I’ve had such a bad year. My exgirlfriend cheated on me with my best friend, and I loved her. I couldn’t get enough of her. She was like my glue, and I thought we’d be stuck together forever.”

“I’m sorry, Ezra. Relationships are hard.”

He nodded. “Hmm. That’s why from now on, it’s safer to have sex with no strings attached. Like having sex with a stranger.” He winked and their eyes locked. His magnetic pull drew her towards him when Ezra parked the car by the side of the road. He turned towards Sandy, brushed a hair strand out of her eye, and tenderly kissed her on the lips. She reciprocated as he deepened the kiss, her body sweating and her heart palpitating. This man was sexy.

Shifting, he said, “you’re beautiful, Sandy. I love those lips and the way you smell. Heaven.” He cleared his throat. “I’d better keep driving or I’ll take advantage of you. But I’d like us to keep in touch.”

Sandy got her breath back, flustered, wishing he’d continue. But would she have had sex with him in the car? She’d prefer a bed, but they could keep in touch. The chemistry and attraction steamed up the car so could this be the start of something? “Good idea,” she said.

Five minutes passed by when Sandy noticed he had veered off the main road and drove down back roads. Why was he doing that when the petrol station and shops she had passed on her way back were on the main road? “Shouldn’t you be driving on the main road. Why are we here, away from everything?”

He laughed. “Relax, Sandy. This is a shortcut to where we need to go. Believe in me. I might be a stranger, but you can trust me.”

Of course he could take the back roads. She’d be happier to get to her destination quicker. She had nothing to worry about when it made sense to take a different route.

“Are you from around here?” she asked.

“I am. My place isn’t too far from these roads.”

A tightness in her stomach made her curious as she hadn’t had anything to eat that would make her sick. Was he taking her to his place when they were meant to go to the petrol station?

The back of her neck sweated and her surroundings turned surreal as he stayed on dirt roads with not a soul in sight. Where the hell was he taking her?

He parked at a kerb. “We’re here.”

Sandy peered through the window, goosebumps permeating her spine as she blinked twice. This wasn’t a petrol station. It was a weatherboard cottage home with draped windows, peeling paint and an uneven concrete path that led to a red, solid timber door. She swallowed. “What is this? Where’s the petrol station?”

He inched forward, touching her chin. “Relax. This is my home. Where I can chill and do whatever I like.”

Sandy sat stock-still in the car. “What happened to the petrol station, Ezra?”

He raised a brow. “Oh, that. I lied. You see I have huge appetites I need to satiate, and you are my meal.”

She froze, her vision blurring. No, this couldn’t be happening. She had stupidly trusted the man.

When she got her breath back, she quickly opened the door, but he ran to the other side and shoved her against the car. The sound of a flick knife came from his back pocket. “What do you want?”

“You do as I say and you won’t get hurt. Got it?”

With chattering teeth, she nodded as he led her inside the cottage and unlocked the front door while standing in his line of sight.

Putrid smells made her sick. What was that?

The home was cosy despite her being forced to come here, with its bookshelf opposite the TV, an open plan kitchen, a two-seater tan sofa and plush black rug. A corridor must have led to the bedrooms.

Ezra prodded her down the corridor as they passed two rooms until entering a third one. What she saw next made her light-headed and unstable on her legs.

***

A human-sized cage, an unmade bed with ropes tied around a canopy, blood-soaked sheets, and a stained quilt made her sick. A dumbwaiter carried tools: a serrated knife, scalpel, hammer, syringe, and hacksaw. What the hell. She had to get out of here. A bare window gave her a view of the countryside; a nice view if she wasn’t standing next to the devil.

Turning to Ezra, he pushed her inside the room with the pointy end of the knife pressing into her back, the sharpness grazing her after locking the door from the inside. “I will stab you if you don’t listen.”

Stall his actions. “What is this?”

The devil chuckled. “The place where all my desires roam free.”

She nodded. “You’re sick.” Her arms stood awkwardly to her side as he picked up a scalpel and hammer close to the door. She had no way of escaping. Unless…

“I’ve brought a few women here.” He sneered. “Oh, about twenty, maybe more. I’ve lost count.”

“I thought you said you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“I lied. But technically you’re not hurt if you’re dead, right? Who would have thought you’d be naïve enough to come into my car? I have easily fooled women, but this is something I crave. It’s like food for your soul.” He pointed with the knife. “This here is nourishment for my soul.”

“A black one. You’re crazy.”

“We could have sex, but I only get excited when women scream and not in the good way. It’s such a turn-on. Seeing the terror in their eyes, the tears that never stop and how their body tenses up.” He inched closer to her with the knife at her throat. “I’ll give you a choice on how you’d like to die: a serrated knife, scalpel, screwdriver, or hammer. After I torture you first, that is?”

Sandy’s legs shook beneath her, a migraine dulling her senses. “Please don’t do this. I swear I won’t tell anyone about you. Let me go.”

“Choose or I’ll use all of it at once. I’m skilled that way.”

She made a split-second decision by pushing him against the wall, grabbing a hammer and charging for the window. Smashing it against the glass, it started to crack until a gaping hole came through. As she turned to Ezra who had recovered as he straightened back up, she wondered why he stood there without chasing her. The smile on his face chilled her to the bone.

Crawling through the space, she ran for dear life towards the car, hoping he’d left the key inside it. With the car in her sights, adrenaline ran through her as she heard a twig snap ahead of her. Someone was here. She could get help. Finally.

Running towards the sound, her eyes blurred as she stared behind her. He wasn’t coming, but why wasn’t he chasing her? Weird. Had he set her a trap? But as she ran ahead, she couldn’t see anyone. It might’ve been a figment of her imagination.

Darkness set in as her arms tangled in brush and large trees while kicking off loose stones, scattered leaves, debris and dirt. She knocked into a boulder and winced. “Crap.” She bent down low and rubbed her sore toe, knowing she had to keep going. A voice in the distance made her tremble.

“Come out, come out wherever you are, Sandy.”

Where the hell was that voice coming from, and why did he sound different? He couldn’t have reached her already.

Chirping crickets and croaking frogs gave her little comfort as she ran into the chest of someone. “Help me.” But when she looked up, it was the same man who had harassed her on the road earlier. “Help. He’s going to kill me.”

He gazed curiously. “Oh, no! I’ll call the police, but we need to get away from this area first.”

“Thankyou.” She didn’t trust the man but what choice did she have?

The man put his arm around her waist as they made their way through the forest. He turned to her with a neutral gaze as she fought against an uneasy sense. “That bastard. I’ll keep you safe, don’t worry.”

The darkness came, barely able to see the path. Chills ran down her spine. Where was he taking her?

His silence and relaxed demeanour told her to run. He didn’t appear to be worried about a madman.

Quietly, she snuck away from him until hiding behind a tree. Home-free?

But her body jerked when strong arms grabbed her from behind, prodding her towards a cliff. “Let me go. Who the hell are you?”

He winked. “Your worst nightmare,” said the man whose glare told her she’d made another wrong choice. Why did she trust the wrong people?

Footsteps crunched on leaves and debris when she met with Ezra who grinned. “Sorry, Sandy, but he’s my friend. We work together.”

Sandy’s vision blurred, her surroundings became surreal as she shook her head to meet with her doom. “No, no.” She clenched her hands. “This was all planned.”

Both men held sharp knives and a gun, but she couldn’t die without a fight. In another split second, she pushed herself off the cliff and landed far below.

***

Two men were arrested today for the serial murders of at least twenty women; their latest victim narrowly escaping death. Without her bravery that led to the police, these men would still be working in tandem to lure women to their deaths. More on this later tonight.

Sandy rested back against her couch with her exboyfriend, Zane who had returned from overseas after hearing about the men. “Those bastards will get what they deserve.”

Zane threaded his hands through his dark curls, his bright hazel eyes fixated on her. “I can’t believe you jump and manage to land on a bunch of trees that helped block the fall. You walk to the main road and find the hotel to call the police. You could’ve killed yourself.” He caressed the side of her cheek, his eyes darkening.

“I know, but better that than face the torture of two men. They must’ve thought I died so at least they stayed where they were.”

“Sounds like it. Now what’s for dinner?”

Sandy held up a hand. “Before we discuss dinner, I’d like to know. Are you staying here or going back to the United States?”

He beamed and drew a hair strand out of her eye. “I’m here to stay. I was a fool. I love you so much, Sandy.”

“I love you too, Zane.” She leaned forward and kissed him hard, knowing she’d found her true love.