Twenty-four
Rachel hoisted a bag on her shoulder. “I’ve been counting down for this Chicago trip. I’m going to make my MasterCard groan under the weight of my shopping spree.” She loved their fall excursion to Chicago. The weather was cooler this year than last year so they wouldn’t spend as much time peering in to shop windows as they usually. Instead they’d booked a spa day, well spa afternoon really, to get pampered before returning to the chaos leading up to the holidays.
“No you won’t. You’ll agonize all day over a few purchases, decide on one and then put it back because it’s too expensive.” Shannon held the screen door open so Rachel could lock up the house. Then they walked down to the car where Shannon already had a few bags leaning against the back tire.
“I’ve got to be smart with my money. I want to settle down in a few years and I hate stories of people getting married and having all those credit card bills.” Rachel pushed the unlock button on her key ring.
“And that is why you handle the books at the office.”
“I wouldn’t go in to business with you if I didn’t.” She raised her eyebrow in a motherly scold and set the bag down by the car. Shannon’s lack of responsibility with money was legendary. “Do you ever think about starting a family?”
“Where in the world did that come from?” Shannon put her bags next to Rachel’s.
“Thoughts pop in my head sometimes…So do you?”
“Sure I dream about it sometimes. Then I wake up screaming in a cold sweat.”
Rachel folded her arms and glared at Shannon.
“Where’d your sense of humor go?”
“I’m not trying to be funny right now. I really want to know.”
“I’d say with the right guy I’d love to start a serious relationship and maybe have a kid or two. But I haven’t found him yet so I’m not too worried about someday.”
“I wonder if I’ll recognize him when I find him.” Rachel dug her toe in the dirt.
“We’re only thirty. I have a couple more good years of freedom and I want to enjoy them without longing for something I don’t have or worrying about whether I’ll find him.” She pretended to swoon like the women in black and white western reruns.
“I wonder sometimes if I did things in the wrong order.” Rachel folded her arms across her chest. “I wonder if I should have looked for a family and then started a career.”
“It’s not what you did so why worry about it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Rachel, I know this guy’s got you freaked with the roses. I’m pretty freaked about it too. The police are watching the area and watching your house. Those other girls…” Shannon’s voice trailed off. She took a deep breath and continued. “None of them had a chance. If he wanted you dead he would have killed you.” Her eyes were intense. She touched Rachel’s shoulder. “I am not entirely convinced that it is really him. The news didn’t make any mention of him leaving flowers along the way. He left flowers on dead bodies.”
Rachel wrapped her arms around her waist and tears burned in her eyes. She wanted to believe every word of what Shannon was saying but how could she? Who could understand a crazy killer? And even if it wasn’t the guy on TV, what if it was Drew. The crazed look in his eyes as she pulled out of his driveway gave her chills.
“Rachel. You are going to be fine. We are going to Chicago. There are no white roses there. No relationship issues or any of that. There are only clothing stores and massages. Let’s go and relax.”
Rachel nodded her head in agreement and walked around the car to the back. Shannon followed her with the bags. The release latch clicked and she lifted the lid. Inside was a single white rose, with a black ribbon.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 2 Chapter 23
Twenty-three
Rachel pulled a long French fry out of its box and dunked it in ketchup.
“You know you didn’t have to pick Wendy’s for lunch.” Curtis said for the second or third time.
“Don’t you like Wendy’s”
“I do but when I invited you to lunch I didn’t expect to bring you some place where your food was served on paper. I would have sprung for more.”
“I know.” She looked up at him. “This doesn’t count. You still owe me dinner.”
“I see.” He picked up his cheeseburger and started eating again.
Shannon would not approve at all if she knew where she was today. And a couple months ago she probably wouldn’t have been here either. Possibly she would but she wouldn’t be here feeling the way she did. Curtis balled up the paper his burger came in and set it off to the side of the table.
“You’re awfully quiet.” His hand moved toward her side of the table then hesitated. She desperately wanted his hand to cross the invisible line down the center of the table and touch hers.
“Sorry. Not much of a conversationalist today I guess.”
“I wish I could do something. Do you want to talk about it?”
Of course she did but talking wouldn’t help, especially not with Curtis. She couldn’t risk Curtis getting upset over her date with Drew and there was no way to tell him about the roses and not tell him who she thought could be leaving them.
“Not really. I don’t want to think about it right now.” She moved her hand closer to the invisible line down the middle of the table that separated the two of them. She, of course, couldn’t stop thinking about ‘it’. ‘It’ had been her all consuming thought since last night. Before that there was a lingering voice in the back of her mind warning of danger but that danger now had a face. A face her mother had brought in to her life. A face that knew her address and all about her.
Curtis reached across the line and touched the back of her hand. “Why don’t I take you to your mom’s house and you can come out and pick your car up another day. You look exhausted.”
She heard the sounds of his words but her attention was on the searing heat below his fingertips on the back of her hand. Tingles ran up her arm and straight to her heart. Her muscles relaxed in a moment and she knew that this was one of the little loves penetrating the armor that had surrounded her heart since Nate hurt her.
Since Shannon had helped her erase the pain.
Since the days when she had stopped praying.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Rachel pulled a long French fry out of its box and dunked it in ketchup.
“You know you didn’t have to pick Wendy’s for lunch.” Curtis said for the second or third time.
“Don’t you like Wendy’s”
“I do but when I invited you to lunch I didn’t expect to bring you some place where your food was served on paper. I would have sprung for more.”
“I know.” She looked up at him. “This doesn’t count. You still owe me dinner.”
“I see.” He picked up his cheeseburger and started eating again.
Shannon would not approve at all if she knew where she was today. And a couple months ago she probably wouldn’t have been here either. Possibly she would but she wouldn’t be here feeling the way she did. Curtis balled up the paper his burger came in and set it off to the side of the table.
“You’re awfully quiet.” His hand moved toward her side of the table then hesitated. She desperately wanted his hand to cross the invisible line down the center of the table and touch hers.
“Sorry. Not much of a conversationalist today I guess.”
“I wish I could do something. Do you want to talk about it?”
Of course she did but talking wouldn’t help, especially not with Curtis. She couldn’t risk Curtis getting upset over her date with Drew and there was no way to tell him about the roses and not tell him who she thought could be leaving them.
“Not really. I don’t want to think about it right now.” She moved her hand closer to the invisible line down the middle of the table that separated the two of them. She, of course, couldn’t stop thinking about ‘it’. ‘It’ had been her all consuming thought since last night. Before that there was a lingering voice in the back of her mind warning of danger but that danger now had a face. A face her mother had brought in to her life. A face that knew her address and all about her.
Curtis reached across the line and touched the back of her hand. “Why don’t I take you to your mom’s house and you can come out and pick your car up another day. You look exhausted.”
She heard the sounds of his words but her attention was on the searing heat below his fingertips on the back of her hand. Tingles ran up her arm and straight to her heart. Her muscles relaxed in a moment and she knew that this was one of the little loves penetrating the armor that had surrounded her heart since Nate hurt her.
Since Shannon had helped her erase the pain.
Since the days when she had stopped praying.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 2 Chapter 22
Twenty-two
Rachel turned in to the gas station and groaned at the price. It had jumped up six cents since the day before. It was like the lottery and she kept picking the wrong numbers. She closed the gas tank and looked at the dent. She didn’t feel like messing with that thing but she was only going to get busier moving in to fall.
The repair wouldn’t take long at all and then she could go get a nap at mom’s house. She scrolled through the contact list on her cell phone until she saw Jeremy’s name. He answered on the second ring.
“Jeremy, this is Rachel. With the car.” She pulled in to the parking space next to the gas station.
“Hi.”
“I wanted to go try to get this thing fixed since I’m off work today. I was wondering if you could give me the name and number of that body shop you like.” She was trying to mask her exhaustion with an overly happy voice.
“The one in Woodhaven?”
“Yes.” She started to look for something to write with. It would have been smart to have that ready when she called for a phone number.
“Here it is.” He gave her the number and the shop name. “Then mail the bill to the address on my card and I’ll get you paid back.”
“I will. Thanks.” She flipped the phone shut after he said goodbye and then called to see if the body shop had an appointment open for a small dent. Fifteen minutes later she was sitting in the corner of the repair shop’s lobby. She slumped down in a seat and closed her eyes. She wouldn’t fall asleep, no just a small rest from the noise and lights going on around her.
Her cell phone hummed against her hip. She glanced at it, Curtis.
“Hi Rachel.”
“Hello.”
“I called the office and they said you were sick. Are you okay?”
“Exhausted. I’ve had trouble sleeping the last few weeks.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Having a hard time adjusting to the new house?”
His voice was soothing. She fought to keep her voice from cracking into tears. “I’ve been under quite a bit of stress. I’m going to my parent’s later to try to rest at their house. Right now I’m getting a dent fixed on my car then I’m heading over there.”
“I’m going to come get you and take you to lunch.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She said it but the thought of his company was starting to appeal to her.
“No, I feel bad after dinner the other night. I want to make it up to you.”
“Okay, I guess you do owe me.”
He laughed. “Where are you at?”
“Smitty’s in Woodhaven.”
“Really, I know the owners. They’re great people.”
“That’s reassuring.” She looked around the three other dirty chairs that made up the waiting room. It had to be pretty difficult keeping a place clean when everyone there had their hands in oil and grease all day.
“I’ll be over there as soon as I can. How long is it going to take them to fix the car?”
“They told me it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to do but they have a few cars ahead of mine. I have to be back before five.”
“I won’t keep you that long. You need your rest but I would like a chance to see you again.”
She hung up the phone and walked in to the restroom which consisted of a toilet, sink and small mirror. A dried out air freshener in its white column couldn’t overpower a windowless bathroom that lacked ventilation and a roll of paper towels sat on the back of the sink.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror and groaned. When she drug herself out of bed to meet her mom she had barely bothered to clip her hair up. The mop of brown hair on top of her head resembled a fountain.
She dug around in her purse and pulled out her lipstick. She couldn’t tell in the dim yellow light if this was making things better or worse. She pulled her hair down out of the clip and tried fluffing it with her fingers. That was even worse. Her eyes were puffy from sleep deprivation.
“This is a lost cause.” She combed her hair back with her fingers and flipped it back up to the fountain hair-do.
He wanted to see her again.
Rachel put everything back in her purse and went out to the waiting room. When had everything changed? She had fun with Adam and Curtis at her parents house. He was like a friend of the family who was as comfortable talking business with her brother as she was the church calendar with her parents or Chinese food with Rachel. But somewhere along the line something changed and now he called because he wants to see her again.
She looked out the front window to see if his car was coming yet. The scariest thing was she wanted to see him again too. Despite their differences there was enough sameness in the two of them that she smiled more when he was around.
There was nothing that would have made her stop in a bar and talk to him, not that he’d ever step in to a bar. It was little things. Her mom told her when she used to cry about a boy at school not liking her that Rachel needed to look for little things.
Rach, honey, you can’t go lookin’ for some guy who’s handsome, or popular or any of that. You need to find a man who’s got the little things. Gentleness, genuine, respects you, those are the little loves that when they’re all together make the big love. You go looking for the big love without those other little loves then your love’ll die.
But she wasn’t talking about love here. No it was vulnerability. Her happiness could be affected by something as simple as lunch with Curtis now and she didn’t know when it happened.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Rachel turned in to the gas station and groaned at the price. It had jumped up six cents since the day before. It was like the lottery and she kept picking the wrong numbers. She closed the gas tank and looked at the dent. She didn’t feel like messing with that thing but she was only going to get busier moving in to fall.
The repair wouldn’t take long at all and then she could go get a nap at mom’s house. She scrolled through the contact list on her cell phone until she saw Jeremy’s name. He answered on the second ring.
“Jeremy, this is Rachel. With the car.” She pulled in to the parking space next to the gas station.
“Hi.”
“I wanted to go try to get this thing fixed since I’m off work today. I was wondering if you could give me the name and number of that body shop you like.” She was trying to mask her exhaustion with an overly happy voice.
“The one in Woodhaven?”
“Yes.” She started to look for something to write with. It would have been smart to have that ready when she called for a phone number.
“Here it is.” He gave her the number and the shop name. “Then mail the bill to the address on my card and I’ll get you paid back.”
“I will. Thanks.” She flipped the phone shut after he said goodbye and then called to see if the body shop had an appointment open for a small dent. Fifteen minutes later she was sitting in the corner of the repair shop’s lobby. She slumped down in a seat and closed her eyes. She wouldn’t fall asleep, no just a small rest from the noise and lights going on around her.
Her cell phone hummed against her hip. She glanced at it, Curtis.
“Hi Rachel.”
“Hello.”
“I called the office and they said you were sick. Are you okay?”
“Exhausted. I’ve had trouble sleeping the last few weeks.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Having a hard time adjusting to the new house?”
His voice was soothing. She fought to keep her voice from cracking into tears. “I’ve been under quite a bit of stress. I’m going to my parent’s later to try to rest at their house. Right now I’m getting a dent fixed on my car then I’m heading over there.”
“I’m going to come get you and take you to lunch.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She said it but the thought of his company was starting to appeal to her.
“No, I feel bad after dinner the other night. I want to make it up to you.”
“Okay, I guess you do owe me.”
He laughed. “Where are you at?”
“Smitty’s in Woodhaven.”
“Really, I know the owners. They’re great people.”
“That’s reassuring.” She looked around the three other dirty chairs that made up the waiting room. It had to be pretty difficult keeping a place clean when everyone there had their hands in oil and grease all day.
“I’ll be over there as soon as I can. How long is it going to take them to fix the car?”
“They told me it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to do but they have a few cars ahead of mine. I have to be back before five.”
“I won’t keep you that long. You need your rest but I would like a chance to see you again.”
She hung up the phone and walked in to the restroom which consisted of a toilet, sink and small mirror. A dried out air freshener in its white column couldn’t overpower a windowless bathroom that lacked ventilation and a roll of paper towels sat on the back of the sink.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror and groaned. When she drug herself out of bed to meet her mom she had barely bothered to clip her hair up. The mop of brown hair on top of her head resembled a fountain.
She dug around in her purse and pulled out her lipstick. She couldn’t tell in the dim yellow light if this was making things better or worse. She pulled her hair down out of the clip and tried fluffing it with her fingers. That was even worse. Her eyes were puffy from sleep deprivation.
“This is a lost cause.” She combed her hair back with her fingers and flipped it back up to the fountain hair-do.
He wanted to see her again.
Rachel put everything back in her purse and went out to the waiting room. When had everything changed? She had fun with Adam and Curtis at her parents house. He was like a friend of the family who was as comfortable talking business with her brother as she was the church calendar with her parents or Chinese food with Rachel. But somewhere along the line something changed and now he called because he wants to see her again.
She looked out the front window to see if his car was coming yet. The scariest thing was she wanted to see him again too. Despite their differences there was enough sameness in the two of them that she smiled more when he was around.
There was nothing that would have made her stop in a bar and talk to him, not that he’d ever step in to a bar. It was little things. Her mom told her when she used to cry about a boy at school not liking her that Rachel needed to look for little things.
Rach, honey, you can’t go lookin’ for some guy who’s handsome, or popular or any of that. You need to find a man who’s got the little things. Gentleness, genuine, respects you, those are the little loves that when they’re all together make the big love. You go looking for the big love without those other little loves then your love’ll die.
But she wasn’t talking about love here. No it was vulnerability. Her happiness could be affected by something as simple as lunch with Curtis now and she didn’t know when it happened.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Friday, March 20, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 2 Chapter 21
Twenty-One
Rachel sat quietly in the corner of the coffee shop with her back to the wall. She sipped at a double espresso and nibbled on a bagel to try to calm the waves of nausea in her stomach. Was he here in this coffee shop, watching her? Two tear drops leaked from her eyes. She wiped her cheeks dry and tried to calm down with deep breaths. Deep breaths did nothing to calm the shaking inside her.
“Excuse me miss?” A lanky young man walked to her table and stared down at her.
She looked up at him without speaking.
“Is this seat taken?” He pointed to the chair to her right.
“Um, I.”
Her mom walked to the table and plopped her large purse on the table. “Sorry I’m late. Had a devil of a time finding a parking spot.”
“Are you expecting others?” The man said again, this time to her mom.
“No, please. You can have the chair.” She said and pulled the edge of the chair out for him.
“Thanks.” He lifted the chair just above the floor and took it to a table full of high school or new college students. She wasn’t sure which.
“Rachel!” She spun and looked at her mom. “Honey, you feelin’ alright? You look pale.”
“Didn’t sleep well.”
Her mom eyed her for a moment then dug a ten dollar bill out of her wallet. “I’ll be right back. I need to get my coffee. You want me to get something for you?”
“No. Thanks.”
“You look completely exhausted.”
“Yes, I am. I think I’m taking the day off to try and get some rest.”
“Glad to see you taking some time to yourself.” She scooted her chair up to the table. “If you’re not feelin’ well how bout you come on over to the house? Stay with your dad, Adam and me. There is nothing worse than being all alone when you don’t feel good.” She smiled and patted Rachel’s hand. “I best get up there. Coffee’s not bringing itself over here.” Her mom turned and walked over to the line in front of the counter.
Rachel wanted to tell her mom what was going on. She mouthed the words “Mom, the fratboy killer is after me.” Tears caught the words in her throat. Her body ached. Rest was what she needed. Uninterrupted sleep for more than thirty minutes at a time would do her so much good. She wiped her eyes again.
No she needed the creep caught. She needed some peace. She pushed her coffee cup away and concentrated on the people around her.
Any one of these people could be the killer. She looked around at the tables of guys in their twenty’s and thirty’s. It was close to half of the people. She turned and looked over her shoulder then quickly turned forward again. No less than eight men were looking in her direction or stole a passing glance.
Her mom walked back to the table, her coffee in a to-go cup and sleeve. “So you want to follow me home?”
“Uh, I, no. I need to swing by the office for a few things first.” Rachel tried to wipe the fatigue from her eyes. “I’ll be by in a little while.”
“Rachel, I don’t think you’re in any condition ta go drivin’ all over.”
“I’ll be there soon mom.”
Her mom hugged her, first time she’d done that in quite a while, then walked to her own car. Rachel climbed in her car and locked the doors behind her. Her body melted in to the seat. If she could close her eyes for two, maybe three, minutes she’d feel so much better. She blinked long blinks and allowed her body to soak up the moments or rest.
Her cell vibrated in her hand. She jumped and fumbled with the phone.
“Hello.”
“You sure you don’t want me driving you?” Her mom said. Then Rachel heard to honks on a horn outside her window. “Caught you nappin’” Her mom said through the phone. She was about four car lengths from Rachel.
“I’ll see you later this afternoon, mom.” Her mom waved and slowly pulled her car on the road.
Rachel felt a little guilty for calling off but she would have been completely worthless in the office. She couldn’t concentrate on anything. She only needed to stay awake and alert for another hour and then she could rest.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Rachel sat quietly in the corner of the coffee shop with her back to the wall. She sipped at a double espresso and nibbled on a bagel to try to calm the waves of nausea in her stomach. Was he here in this coffee shop, watching her? Two tear drops leaked from her eyes. She wiped her cheeks dry and tried to calm down with deep breaths. Deep breaths did nothing to calm the shaking inside her.
“Excuse me miss?” A lanky young man walked to her table and stared down at her.
She looked up at him without speaking.
“Is this seat taken?” He pointed to the chair to her right.
“Um, I.”
Her mom walked to the table and plopped her large purse on the table. “Sorry I’m late. Had a devil of a time finding a parking spot.”
“Are you expecting others?” The man said again, this time to her mom.
“No, please. You can have the chair.” She said and pulled the edge of the chair out for him.
“Thanks.” He lifted the chair just above the floor and took it to a table full of high school or new college students. She wasn’t sure which.
“Rachel!” She spun and looked at her mom. “Honey, you feelin’ alright? You look pale.”
“Didn’t sleep well.”
Her mom eyed her for a moment then dug a ten dollar bill out of her wallet. “I’ll be right back. I need to get my coffee. You want me to get something for you?”
“No. Thanks.”
“You look completely exhausted.”
“Yes, I am. I think I’m taking the day off to try and get some rest.”
“Glad to see you taking some time to yourself.” She scooted her chair up to the table. “If you’re not feelin’ well how bout you come on over to the house? Stay with your dad, Adam and me. There is nothing worse than being all alone when you don’t feel good.” She smiled and patted Rachel’s hand. “I best get up there. Coffee’s not bringing itself over here.” Her mom turned and walked over to the line in front of the counter.
Rachel wanted to tell her mom what was going on. She mouthed the words “Mom, the fratboy killer is after me.” Tears caught the words in her throat. Her body ached. Rest was what she needed. Uninterrupted sleep for more than thirty minutes at a time would do her so much good. She wiped her eyes again.
No she needed the creep caught. She needed some peace. She pushed her coffee cup away and concentrated on the people around her.
Any one of these people could be the killer. She looked around at the tables of guys in their twenty’s and thirty’s. It was close to half of the people. She turned and looked over her shoulder then quickly turned forward again. No less than eight men were looking in her direction or stole a passing glance.
Her mom walked back to the table, her coffee in a to-go cup and sleeve. “So you want to follow me home?”
“Uh, I, no. I need to swing by the office for a few things first.” Rachel tried to wipe the fatigue from her eyes. “I’ll be by in a little while.”
“Rachel, I don’t think you’re in any condition ta go drivin’ all over.”
“I’ll be there soon mom.”
Her mom hugged her, first time she’d done that in quite a while, then walked to her own car. Rachel climbed in her car and locked the doors behind her. Her body melted in to the seat. If she could close her eyes for two, maybe three, minutes she’d feel so much better. She blinked long blinks and allowed her body to soak up the moments or rest.
Her cell vibrated in her hand. She jumped and fumbled with the phone.
“Hello.”
“You sure you don’t want me driving you?” Her mom said. Then Rachel heard to honks on a horn outside her window. “Caught you nappin’” Her mom said through the phone. She was about four car lengths from Rachel.
“I’ll see you later this afternoon, mom.” Her mom waved and slowly pulled her car on the road.
Rachel felt a little guilty for calling off but she would have been completely worthless in the office. She couldn’t concentrate on anything. She only needed to stay awake and alert for another hour and then she could rest.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 2 Chapter 20
Twenty
Rachel sat erect with her back against the headboard, legs drawn up against her chest. She stared at her bedroom door, ears alert to every sound. Each time a dog barked or the house creaked the hair on her arms stood up. He was out there. He knew she was alone.
She reached under the pillow beside her and ran her fingers along the handle of the knife she had taken to bed. A baseball bat was propped against her night stand. If he came for her tonight she wasn’t going without a fight. The police said they would patrol her street and keep an extra eye on the house.
She should try to sleep. The alarm was set and the police were patrolling. If he wanted her dead he’d have killed her tonight. He was scaring her. Tears ran down her cheeks. Loneliness enveloped her. Her bedroom was silent except for her breathing. She slid down under her blankets. Her eyes were heavy. It was two-thirty in the morning. She only had to last four hours. Then this night would be over.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Rachel sat erect with her back against the headboard, legs drawn up against her chest. She stared at her bedroom door, ears alert to every sound. Each time a dog barked or the house creaked the hair on her arms stood up. He was out there. He knew she was alone.
She reached under the pillow beside her and ran her fingers along the handle of the knife she had taken to bed. A baseball bat was propped against her night stand. If he came for her tonight she wasn’t going without a fight. The police said they would patrol her street and keep an extra eye on the house.
She should try to sleep. The alarm was set and the police were patrolling. If he wanted her dead he’d have killed her tonight. He was scaring her. Tears ran down her cheeks. Loneliness enveloped her. Her bedroom was silent except for her breathing. She slid down under her blankets. Her eyes were heavy. It was two-thirty in the morning. She only had to last four hours. Then this night would be over.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Friday, March 13, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 2 Chapter 19
Nineteen
Logan stood across the street hidden by a large oak tree. Rachel was standing on her front porch looking at the rose he had placed there. He smiled with satisfaction. She was completely surprised.
“I know there’s another man, Rachel.” He whispered. He watched her step slowly on to the porch and pick up the rose and take it in the house. “Do you think you can leave me? You are mine, Rachel.” He watched her pull the blinds closed on her front windows. His smile widened. She got the message.
Normally she’d have to be punished for her betrayal tonight but he knew she’d make it right when they were together. She knew she belonged to him now. Every ounce of manhood within him screamed out to charge in the house right now, don’t wait.
“No.” He hissed. Patience. Love, patience and long-suffering. Slowly. He had to follow the plan. She had the message now. She would think twice before betraying him again.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Logan stood across the street hidden by a large oak tree. Rachel was standing on her front porch looking at the rose he had placed there. He smiled with satisfaction. She was completely surprised.
“I know there’s another man, Rachel.” He whispered. He watched her step slowly on to the porch and pick up the rose and take it in the house. “Do you think you can leave me? You are mine, Rachel.” He watched her pull the blinds closed on her front windows. His smile widened. She got the message.
Normally she’d have to be punished for her betrayal tonight but he knew she’d make it right when they were together. She knew she belonged to him now. Every ounce of manhood within him screamed out to charge in the house right now, don’t wait.
“No.” He hissed. Patience. Love, patience and long-suffering. Slowly. He had to follow the plan. She had the message now. She would think twice before betraying him again.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 2 Chapter 18
Eighteen
Rachel turned into her driveway, skin still tingling with fear. She had glanced at her review mirror every few seconds searching for any sign Drew had followed her. Of course that was ridiculous, after tonight he’d never want to see her again. She parked in the driveway behind her house. A few houses down the neighbor’s dog barked in their front yard. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and she scooped up her papers from the office with her purse and closed the car door with her hip. The sound echoed around her yard and for a moment the neighbor’s dog was silent.
The trees along her yard cast long shadows from the streetlight. She turned trying to catch a bit of light to figure out which key was gold and which was silver. She tried three keys in the lock before one finally spun and she pushed in to the back door. She locked the door then tossed her papers on the counter.
The light from her living room lamp cast a swatch of brightness in to the otherwise dark kitchen. She hadn’t expected to be gone so long and only one light was on. She put her shoes by the door and quietly padded in to the next room flipping on the kitchen’s overhead light as she went. She stepped in to the great room. To her right the lamp was casting a dim glow around the room. She turned to her left and turned on the light in the dining room. The answering machine blinked three times.
She pushed the play button. The first two messages were nothing but silence. Then the third message “Hi Rachel, Shannon. If you come home tonight call me. If not, I know what you did tonight.” Her voice sang. Rachel flipped her phone open and dialed Shannon.
“So you did come home. That was quick.” Shannon said. “I only talked to you, what, an hour ago?”
“Yes, about that.” Rachel continued walking through the house as she spoke opening closets and checking locks on windows and doors “The strangest thing happened when I was there.” She hesitated for a moment. “Things were going great. He was saying all the right things and we were kissing.” The tingle of fear poked harder as she thought back.
“And?...”
“Well, I thought of Curtis and went cold.”
“How in the world did that dweeb pop in your head when you were kissing a hottie like Drew?”
“I don’t know. Adam, Curtis and I were having a good time at mom’s and it reminded me of back before, well, back before everything happened in college.”
“And you started remembering old thoughts and tied them to Curtis?”
“No, I think Curtis popped in my head…well, I don’t know why he was there but when he did come in my head the moment was gone.”
“And…” Shannon sounded disappointed. How was Rachel supposed to control every thought that entered her brain?
“I told him I wanted to stop. That was when he changed.”
“Well duh. You can’t lead a guy on like that.”
“I wasn’t.” Rachel yelled in the phone. Then calmer she continued. “I wasn’t in the mood any more but when he cornered me and acted like…Well, it gave me chills. I had to get out of there so I left and came straight home.”
“Are you okay now?”
“Yes, I was almost in tears on the way home but I’ve calmed down.” Rachel rubbed her arms hard against the cold inside her.
“Was it a panic attack?” Shannon sounded really concerned. It was about time. Rachel had begun to wonder who Shannon was rooting for.
“Have you ever felt like…I don’t know…a bad feeling about something and you don’t know why?” Rachel’s shuffled back and forth on the wood that separated the living room rug from the dining room rug. Her slippers drug on the hardwood and made the only other sound in the house.
“Yes, you start to remember every horror film you’ve ever seen.”
“I didn’t remember any horror films.”
“You know what I mean.”
Rachel picked up a white sweater she had hanging on a chair and wrapped it around her shoulders. “I don’t know what it was. I’m really scared though.”
“Still?”
“Yes. I can’t put…I feel like I can’t breathe”
Someone knocked and Rachel squealed in surprise.
“What is it?” Shannon asked, fear evident in her voice too.
Rachel took a few moments to catch her breath. “Someone knocked on the door and about made me jump out of my skin. It must be mom.”
She walked over to the front door and opened it. “No” Rachel said, barely able to get her voice above a whisper. “Please no.” She started crying.
“Rachel what is wrong?” Shannon’s voice was shrill in Rachel’s ear. “Rachel, answer me.”
She didn’t answer, couldn’t answer.
“Rachel? Rachel!”
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Rachel turned into her driveway, skin still tingling with fear. She had glanced at her review mirror every few seconds searching for any sign Drew had followed her. Of course that was ridiculous, after tonight he’d never want to see her again. She parked in the driveway behind her house. A few houses down the neighbor’s dog barked in their front yard. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and she scooped up her papers from the office with her purse and closed the car door with her hip. The sound echoed around her yard and for a moment the neighbor’s dog was silent.
The trees along her yard cast long shadows from the streetlight. She turned trying to catch a bit of light to figure out which key was gold and which was silver. She tried three keys in the lock before one finally spun and she pushed in to the back door. She locked the door then tossed her papers on the counter.
The light from her living room lamp cast a swatch of brightness in to the otherwise dark kitchen. She hadn’t expected to be gone so long and only one light was on. She put her shoes by the door and quietly padded in to the next room flipping on the kitchen’s overhead light as she went. She stepped in to the great room. To her right the lamp was casting a dim glow around the room. She turned to her left and turned on the light in the dining room. The answering machine blinked three times.
She pushed the play button. The first two messages were nothing but silence. Then the third message “Hi Rachel, Shannon. If you come home tonight call me. If not, I know what you did tonight.” Her voice sang. Rachel flipped her phone open and dialed Shannon.
“So you did come home. That was quick.” Shannon said. “I only talked to you, what, an hour ago?”
“Yes, about that.” Rachel continued walking through the house as she spoke opening closets and checking locks on windows and doors “The strangest thing happened when I was there.” She hesitated for a moment. “Things were going great. He was saying all the right things and we were kissing.” The tingle of fear poked harder as she thought back.
“And?...”
“Well, I thought of Curtis and went cold.”
“How in the world did that dweeb pop in your head when you were kissing a hottie like Drew?”
“I don’t know. Adam, Curtis and I were having a good time at mom’s and it reminded me of back before, well, back before everything happened in college.”
“And you started remembering old thoughts and tied them to Curtis?”
“No, I think Curtis popped in my head…well, I don’t know why he was there but when he did come in my head the moment was gone.”
“And…” Shannon sounded disappointed. How was Rachel supposed to control every thought that entered her brain?
“I told him I wanted to stop. That was when he changed.”
“Well duh. You can’t lead a guy on like that.”
“I wasn’t.” Rachel yelled in the phone. Then calmer she continued. “I wasn’t in the mood any more but when he cornered me and acted like…Well, it gave me chills. I had to get out of there so I left and came straight home.”
“Are you okay now?”
“Yes, I was almost in tears on the way home but I’ve calmed down.” Rachel rubbed her arms hard against the cold inside her.
“Was it a panic attack?” Shannon sounded really concerned. It was about time. Rachel had begun to wonder who Shannon was rooting for.
“Have you ever felt like…I don’t know…a bad feeling about something and you don’t know why?” Rachel’s shuffled back and forth on the wood that separated the living room rug from the dining room rug. Her slippers drug on the hardwood and made the only other sound in the house.
“Yes, you start to remember every horror film you’ve ever seen.”
“I didn’t remember any horror films.”
“You know what I mean.”
Rachel picked up a white sweater she had hanging on a chair and wrapped it around her shoulders. “I don’t know what it was. I’m really scared though.”
“Still?”
“Yes. I can’t put…I feel like I can’t breathe”
Someone knocked and Rachel squealed in surprise.
“What is it?” Shannon asked, fear evident in her voice too.
Rachel took a few moments to catch her breath. “Someone knocked on the door and about made me jump out of my skin. It must be mom.”
She walked over to the front door and opened it. “No” Rachel said, barely able to get her voice above a whisper. “Please no.” She started crying.
“Rachel what is wrong?” Shannon’s voice was shrill in Rachel’s ear. “Rachel, answer me.”
She didn’t answer, couldn’t answer.
“Rachel? Rachel!”
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
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