Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Matt swung the jeep in the Sallie's driveway. The wind, how do the pine trees in the forest behind your house? Do you want to come in for a little while? Sally asked. Matt shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The mud on his clothes beginning to dry. No, I don't want your folks to see me like this. I'll see you tomorrow, babe, he said. He looked at Lori by Lori. Are you sure you don't want a ride home? Lori smiled. No, thanks. Sally and I have lots to talk about. Besides, my house is only two blocks away. OK then. I'll see you tomorrow. He said Sally gave him a little kiss goodnight. OK, call me later, sweetie. Matt Grant. You know I will. Laurie followed Sally into the warm house. Sally's mom smiled at them from the kitchen table. There's spaghetti in the big pot if you girls are hungry. Thanks, Mom. I am like starving. Sally said she plops some spaghetti on two plates for them. Let's go eat in my room, she said. Sally cleared some clothes from the floor of her messy room and peeled off match jacket. The girls fell under Sally's canopy bed, stylishly covered with matching flowered pillows and a down comforter. So what's the scoop on Jake? Coalbed? Sally asked excitedly. I would have never in a million years picture the two of you together. Lori blushed. Well, we're not exactly together yet. Not together. What about the kiss you gave him on? And the way he was carrying you around as if he were some kind of princess. Hey, where'd you get the crazy idea that I kissed him? Murray laughed. Sally swallowed a bottle of spaghetti. Princess Loory, lipstick. Prince never lie. I saw it on his face, sir. Was he a good kisser? He picked up a pillow and swung it playfully at her friend. I didn't kiss him to work. My lips accidentally touched his cheek. That's all. It's not like he held me passionately in his arms and planted a big one of my lips. Sally scrambled to pick up another pillow. Sure. Did you like it? Do you like him? Tell me the truth or I'll have to wacky with this bag of feathers. Laurie squill ducky. Of course I like him. I just never told anyone. She laughed, especially a big mouth like you. Sally swung again. Giggling hysterically. Withholding information from your best friend. This means raw. Laurie jumped out the bed armed with her pillow. The two girls laughed and shriek does. They took shots at each other. Small feathers floated in world through the air. The phone rang and Sally caught her breath and search for the red, heart shaped phone beneath the clothing that was strewn across the floor. She picked up the receiver. Hello. Hello. I can't hear you. Is anyone there? Sally giggling, passing the receiver to Lori. She whispered, listening to this. I think we've got an obscene color. Lori pressed the phone to her ear and listen to the heavy breathing coming across the line. She handed the phone back to Sally whispering Just hang up. That's how you're supposed to handle calls like this. Sally spoke ignoring or his advice. Hey, jerk. What's the matter? Can't you get a date? Lori protested. Sally, just hang up. Sally laughed into the phone. Your breathing is awfully sexy, but I already have a boyfriend that maybe my friend Laurie would be interested. Sally. Laurie. Yes. Grabbing the phone and slamming down the receiver. Sally giggles Well, you said you're not together with Jake yet. Laurie looked at her angrily. Come on, Law. I was just kidding around Laurie about it. You're not very funny. The phone rang again. The two girls jumped looking at each other. Then at the phone, Sally reached for the phone. This time she was a little annoyed. This guy doesn't give up. She said, Hello, Matt. Is this you fooling around? Cut it out.

[00:58:15] The breathing through receiver became heavier. Sally's face twisted in disgust as the raspy sound became a threatening growl. She hung up the phone. Her hands shaking. Laurie search Sally's pale face for an answer. What do you say? What happens? Sally stared at the phone. He didn't say anything. He said it just made the sickening noise. It wasn't it either. Who would do this? It was probably one of Marcia's friends, you know, trying to scare you. Laurie commented. Maybe you're right. It was just Marsha. Sally agreed. The mini mall parking lot was empty, except for the flickering neon sign at the convenience store. The shadowed shaped stone. One last glance at Sally's bedroom window across the street. He'd been watching them frolicking around on the bed, squealing. The bad girls had stopped laughing. Breathing heavily, he lurched away, disappearing into the dark forests behind the building, leaving the silver payphone cord twisted into a miniature noose. Laurie picks up a pillow from the floor and tossed it back on Sally's bed. I'd better get going home now. My mom is probably wondering where I am.

Do you want me to ask my mom to give you a ride home? You know, after twisting your ankle all. Sally offered. Laurie smiled. No, I'm fine. Besides, some fresh air will do me good. It's been a wild day. Lori wanted to be alone with her delicious thoughts of Jake. Sally shrugged her shoulders. OK, Lord. I'll see you tomorrow morning. By Sally. Laurie crossed the street at the convenience store and shivered as she walked down the sidewalk that went along the edge of the forest. She'd walked home from Sally's house hundreds of times and new by memory alone, where every buckle on the sidewalk was. She shivered as the icy wind howled through the trees. It felt like it was going to start snowing. She scanned through the day's events in her mind over and over again, especially the part where Jake had held her in his arms. She imagined that he kissed her and pictured his soft lips touching hers. She felt as if she were floating along. Tomorrow she would see him again. She could hardly wait. A branch crackled from the dark woods. Laurie stops, suddenly feeling as if I was from the woods, were watching her. She listened for a moment and heard nothing but the wind. But she still had the weird feeling that she was being watched. Her heart pounded as she thought about the horrible murders that had happened and those woods so long ago. She began walking briskly, anxious to get home. What if it was a stray wolf or what a crutch. The noise, now even closer than before, made her gasp. It was following her, stalking her. She began running. She could still hear the footsteps, keeping pace with her, crushing the dense undergrowth beneath the trees in the blackness. Her heart pounded with fear. She quickly glanced over her shoulder. Lori's foot caught on a split in the sidewalk, and she suddenly felt herself falling. She landed roughly on the jagged, wet asphalt of the streets. Pain shot through her leg as she lifted herself up. Her heart feeling as if it were going to explode. She could see her house just up the street now. She winced from the pain as she stood on her feet, tears streaming down her cheeks. Just a few more yards and she'd be safely at home. The wind blew against her body as she ran toward her house, strands of hair whipping across her face. The footsteps were right next to her. Now she could hear the heavy breathing of the thing in the woods as if it were right over her shoulder. Suddenly, a pair of headlights came up the road behind her. She whipped around, waving her arms for help. Stop. Help me. She cried the blues the day and pulled to a stop. Laurie saw with the driver was her dad. Oh, thank God you're here, Daddy. She scrambled into the passenger seat. Breathless with relief. Her father was shot, still wearing his business suit from the bank. Honey, what happened to you? Are you OK? He asked, looking at the blood on her knees. Lori glanced out the window into the darkness and saw a blur of something running back into the woods. She pointed hysterically. Something was following me. Did you see? It's over there. He followed me all the way from Sally's house. I was running and I tripped. And then you came along. Her father strained frantically to see into the blackness. No, honey, I don't see anything. It was probably some kind of animal. His voice became firm. You could have been attacked or seriously hurt. I don't want you out walking this late at night ever again, young lady. You call your mother or me if you ever need a ride. You understand me? You scared me half to death. Laurie sighed. Yeah, Dad. Sorry. She stared into the forest as they drove up the street.

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