“There’s something out there,” Astrid muttered.
And I remembered how they thought they were being followed earlier.
I felt Miles move next to me. “I don’t—”
But something heavy hit the windshield, and he cut off, Astrid gasping next to me.
“What the…?” he barked.
The same force hit Astrid’s side, too, suddenly, then the rear window and Miles’ side, as well.
“Is that…paint?” Astrid asked. “Someone’s splattering paint on the windows.”
“Son of a bitch!” he growled.
Releasing me, he opened the door, but there was a pounding sound coming from the outside, and he howled with pain, falling over on me.
Did someone just try to shut the door on him?
I didn’t know what was happening, but I felt the car shake under me and vibrations come from the rear area, like someone was back there doing something.
“The windows are covered in black paint!” Astrid exclaimed. “Someone’s out there. Just drive!”
My mind raced, debating on whether to try to get out or if the danger was greater out there. Before I had a chance to make a decision, though, Miles shifted into gear and put his foot on the gas.
But we didn’t move. He gave it more gas, revving the engine, but the car simply turned its wheels, squeaking underneath us as they spun, but didn’t take us anywhere.
“Do you smell gas?” Astrid asked.
I inhaled, feeling a burn hit the back of my throat.
“Oh, shit,” Miles suddenly said.
What? Dammit, what was going on?
“Look,” he told Astrid.
“They wouldn’t,” she replied, breathless.
What were they seeing?
And the next thing I knew, the doors opened, and they scurried out of the car, leaving me in the front seat alone.
What the hell?
I didn’t know why they ran, but they saw something that scared them, so was the car not safe then? I didn’t know what to do, if I should run, who I should be scared of, but they were gone, and I debated for about half a second before I lunged over to the driver’s side door and pulled it close, hitting the lock, and doing the same thing to Astrid’s door. I might not be out of the woods, but at least I was safe from them.
The key was still in the ignition, and it was probably a bad idea, but I’d get out of here if I had to. I’d just follow the gravel road.
If I could get the car moving, which Miles hadn’t been able to do for some reason.
I sat there for a moment, not hearing any sounds outside anymore, just the rumble of the engine and some White Stripes remix on the radio.
My phone. I’d call my mom and have her track my phone to find me. I had no idea where I was.
But just then, I heard his breathing.
Right behind me, in the back seat.