“Here you come. Get up.” The stranger yanked Sara off the cold gravel by her arms, securing her with one forearm over her chest, and turned her to face the road. “Watch. Don’t close your eyes. I might not get you back.”
Sara heard the car before she saw its headlights; the wheel bearing’s constant steady grind, the low growl of the bad exhaust. She knew that sound because she’d listened each night, dreading its approach. Sara felt her chest tighten further as the vehicle came into view. That was her car.
“What?” Sara let the question die as her car sped past.
A barely lit cigarette flew from the window, whipped in the wind, and landed at her feet. She looked down and the stranger yanked up her chin.
“Watch.” The command was harsh.
The stranger’s grip on her chin was hard enough to cau
