R.I.P.E. Part 3

The old woman swerved as she pulled out of the parking space. Her nervousness set in. She could see it.

"Stay calm. I dont want to hurt you." she tried to reassure her. The old woman didn't look so certian. As a peace offering she laid her guns in her lap instead. The woman pretended not to pay attention.

"Where do you want me to go? The highway?" the old woman asked as she exited the lot of the grocery store. Cops were flying by left and right. The helicopter was still in the sky, but not near them.

She knew the highway was a death trap. They would be overwhelmed immedialty. They would be targeted - and easy to find. "We need to stay off main roads....hide for a bit" she decided outloud. But where?

"We can park inside my garage, its ajoined to the house. I live in a very quiet neighborhood. People keep to themselves. Then later, you can leave when you feel the time is right." The old woman suggested. "They dont seem to where you are."

She was suprised, yet cautious. Her intuition was on gaurd. The old woman had just made her an offer. Her hair covered in gore, holding more than one piece, and the woman had just offered her an out. And it was a quite good one. "I'm just supposed to trust you?" It sounded more sarcasrtic than she wanted it to.

The old woman painted the picture for her. "You chose me, didnt you? Under the circumstances, I really don't think you have much of a choice." And she was right. Even so, the old woman smiled.

They turned down a lane and winded around subaurbanite homes, neatly trimmed yards with golden retrievers blocked by wireless fences. She watched as the old woman hit a button. She glanced around and saw a house with a garage door opening. She looked around as they pulled in. No one had follwed them. The door closed behing them, sealing them in.

She had been fast enough aftet all, she had been lucky. SHe truly hadnt prepared for the best case scenerio: What if I live? The old woman wanted to help her but why? Survival Mode, she concluded. The victim attempts to get on theri abductor's good side. Show them you are human, right? They sat in the car for a few moments. The old woman said, "Should we get out? What do you want to do?"

"Just give me a minute to think....a moment to breathe, okay?" she answered. The old woman sat in silence.

She didnt like her intentions questioned. This was not the time to be tested. SHe'd been tested all morning and it suddenly occured to her how tired she was. She thought for a moment. This woman was easily in her mid to late 60's. By the look of the garage, she lived alone, at least not with a man. There were no tools to be seen save a lawnmower and a rake. Then the old woman spoke, startling her a little.

"I figure you did what you did for a good reason. A woman like you doesnt look like the killer type, no offense. Someone must have wronged you to the point where you felt this was the only way....the only choice and you took it."

They sat quietly for another moment or two. "I think we are safe." the old woman reassured her.

Reluctantly, she got out of the car and followed the old woman into the house from the adjoined garage, guns in position. She looked out the windows cautiously. No neighbors. No one...no cars. Quiet.

She had never felt this type of vulnerablity. What had she done? Why did she choose this woman? Her plan did not involve anyone undeserving. No hostages unless it involved an obstrution to carry out her plan. She planned to die. She had selfishly taken this woman to save her own ass. Now, this woman had seen her face, knew of her guilt, and had nothing to lose. A quick mental vision of herself walking into the living room right up behind her, and like Abe Lincoln, waste her in the back of the head...... No. She couldnt do it. She took a deep breath and tried to think.

"I'd love to clean this gore out of my hair," she admitted. "But you know I can't leave you alone. You'll have to come with me. And should you run, well... just please dont test me. I cant take it."

The old woman knew to tread lightly. She could see this woman was about to explode in front of her. She was unstable and unpredictable. She was not entirely sure what this woman had done, but she knew by the looks of her it wasnt any good.

She shut the bathroom door behind them. She ordered the woman to sit. She started the water.

"Please cooperate. I have killed enough for one day." she said.

The woman only nodded.

Gun in hand, she slowly undressed, never taking her eyes off her target. The old woman remained still. She stepped in the shower. The hot water turned the bottom of the tub red. The matted gore was coming lose, revealing normal hair. The old woman sat in silence. After she was finished, she turned the shower off. The old woman went to get up.

"Stop! What are you doing?" she demanded aiming the gun with accuracy.

"I'm only getting you a towel." the old woman said, opening the closet door.

She held the gun at the target until the towel was in her free hand. The woman sat back down. "Thank you." she said, drying off.

The old woman offered her clothing. "It may not be the hippest style, but its functional." She directed her to a chest in the bedroom. "Please take what you like."