Ahead of his Time, Adrian Cousins [short story to read .txt] 📗

the car forward a few feet and was now level to where Sarah was standing. A few minutes up the road, a guilty feeling had made him complete a U-turn and return for her. Although Paula was well screwable, tonight’s argument with Sarah had drained away any desire he had.

“Piss off, Scott, I don’t need you,” Sarah spat back at him. She was still fuming with him but unsure why she’d said that as she didn’t relish the long walk home.

“Oh, Sarah, come on! I know you didn’t mean what you said. I forgive you.” He leant across the passenger seat with his hand outstretched as if offering her a lifeline.

Sarah glared through the open window. Who the fuck did he think he was! “Forgive me! You’re joking, right? I’ve nothing to apologise for! You’re the one who should apologise, not me. You’re unbelievable! Piss off, you arrogant prick.” She spun around and stuck her nose in the air, whacking her arm up and giving him the finger.

Scott threw himself back into his seat and shook his head. “Fuck her,” he muttered. Ramming the car in first gear, he pulled away from the kerb. Glancing in the rear-view mirror he could see she’d turned around, watching him drive off. She stood with her shoes swinging on their straps twisted around her thumb, with her middle finger stuck in the air – he offered the same gesture back. When he glanced in the mirror again, she’d disappeared.

What a wanker! Apologise to him, no way! She peered down the lane again, then back up Coldhams Lane, chewed her lip and tried to decide which way to go. Sweet Jesus, if she stood here much longer, it would take all night to get home. It would be alright, wouldn’t it? Anyway, by the time she got to the bottom of the lane it would only take a few minutes to cross the playing fields and, she could be tucked up in bed by half-past midnight. “Come on, get on with it,” she muttered, huffed, and stepped into the lane, picking her way down on tiptoes. Although it was paved, all she needed now was dog poo between her toes.

“Good girl, good girl,” he whispered and licked his lips. He placed the packet of cigarettes back in his pocket. He’d remained perfectly still for those few seconds when she was only six feet from him whilst she debated whether to take the lane route or not. Hidden in the thick laurel bush, he silently breathed in the sweet floral scent of her perfume. From what he could see through the leaves, she was stunning. He was lucky tonight. She wasn’t some rough-looking dog from the estate, she was hot, and he was ready.

Releasing his breath when she was twenty feet ahead, he gently pushed away the laurel hedge branches. He had to be quiet as the next minute was critical to success. In another thirty yards she’d be close to the playing fields, and there he could get her on the soft grass. No one would hear. Perfect.

Sarah stopped short of the five-bar gate at the entrance to the school playing fields, turned and peered back up the cut-through. Had she heard something? Was anyone there? A shiver shot up her body and, although the night was warm, she’d developed goosebumps. Rubbing her arms, she peered back up the lane.

The few illuminated street lamps produced long, strangely-shaped shadows from the trees and hedges, which danced together across the narrow lane in the warm breeze. Was one of those shadows a figure standing near the hedge?Shit, should she have come through here so late? She stopped still and stared at the silent shadow. All she could hear was the gentle breeze through the trees and the thumping of her heart. No, she couldn’t see anyone, but she’d run now. In only a couple of minutes, she’d be out the other side of the fields and close to home – safe. Still standing on tiptoes, the arches of her feet had started to ache, so she turned and began to run.

He nudged himself gently into the laurel bush as she stopped and turned around. She wouldn’t be able to see him, but she was spooked. He’d have to make his move soon – it was now – yes now.

“Come on, Sarah, get a grip,” she muttered, her shoes banging into her thighs as she picked up her pace. She moved her arm out away from her body, causing the stilettos to swing wildly on her thumb. At the end of the cut-through, she grabbed the gate latch and yanked it back, letting the gate swing open. Now she could see the school straight ahead and, without looking back, she bolted across the grass. She’d lost count of how many glasses of those champagne cocktails she’d swallowed tonight and now regretting it as her head started to thump. Could she hear footsteps? Just run, Christ’s sake, run—

He sprinted through the gate onto the grass, which dulled the sound of his pounding footsteps. His prey was only ten feet away, running on tiptoes like a gazelle. Ten-feet, six-feet, four-feet. The adrenaline rush peaked as he leant forward – he knew he had her.

Sarah sprinted as fast as she could, without glancing back as she couldn’t afford the time to do so. The sound of those footsteps was frighteningly close as they pounded on the grass behind her – as every second passed – the closer they came. Oh, Sarah, why did you come this way? Why did you get out of Scott’s car – why? Tears started to blur her vision. Not again, please not again, her mind screamed as the sound of those footsteps thundered down inches behind her.

Reaching out, he whipped his arm around her neck, lifted her backwards, and threw her to the ground. He landed heavily on top, that very act thumping the breath out of her. The sexy, hot, blonde woman in the