The Hitchhiker (terken & darkangel76)

Jane slept rather well considering she was on the run from a man who terrified her unlike any other. Though, she supposed Carson had a lot to do with that and for that she was grateful. She just wished that the two of them could have met under better circumstances. Still, life dealt you the hand it wanted. What you did with the cards was what made it unfold as it did. She firmly believed that. Looking at her cards, she was glad that Carson was indeed one of them.

As Jane opened her eyes, the smell of coffee hit her nose. Immediately she felt a smile creep onto her lips. “Mmm… morning,” she said through a stretch and yawn.

Jane fixed her blue eyes onto Carson and gave him a very warm smile. Despite her situation, it was nice waking up to his company. For the first time since everything, she felt safe and even content. If she closed her eyes she could almost forget reality, could pretend that she and Carson were two people who’d just met and happened to hit it off. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the whole case. Well, at least from her perspective. She still had Simon after her and he wouldn’t stop unless someone intervened or he died.

As Jane sat up, she pulled the blanket about her naked body and finally stood up. As she made her way over to Carson, who was picking up their coffee cups, he said, “You smell that?”

Jane quirked an eyebrow and took the mug in her hands. Taking a sip, she moved closer to Carson and gently brushed her body against his. Leaning in the direction in which he seemed to smell something peculiar, she inhaled deeply. Immediately, he crinkled her nose. There definitely was something nearby that didn’t smell overly pleasant. Pulling the blanket tighter about her body, she moved to follow the scent. Making her way toward the front of the cab, she glanced over to the passenger’s seat. Her jacket was still sprawled out on the floor as she’d left it, but on the seat…

Jane’s blood ran cold, turning to ice. Her pale eyes went wide and all the blood rushed away from her cheeks making her turn a ghostly shade of white. “No,” she said, her tone flat, disbelieving. “No,” she said again hoping it would make the vision before her disappear. “No no no no…” At that she began to shake with sobs and a blood curdling scream passed over her lips.

There, on the seat was something familiar, something she recognized. The ring finger of one she used to call… friend.

~~~

Simon peeked out his window from his motel located across the road. Somehow, he knew precisely the moment his little Jane had seen his gift. And he knew she’d understand the meaning behind it as well. Stubborn as she was, she was hardly stupid. And that trait made him love her all the more.

“Yes, my dear Jane. You are slowly starting to understand now, aren’t you?” Simon chuckled. “So stop pouting and come home to me.”

Grinning, Simon got his things together so that he could get himself situated in his vehicle. A rental. One he knew his Jane would never recognize nor suspect.

Carson had turned away from the cab, setting down the coffee cups on small kitchenette table. When Jane screamed he dug into a nearby tool box and pulled out a wrench. Was this bastard here now? He swung about and stepped over to Jane.

Half a second later he embraced her, hugging her against his chest, one hand still gripping the wrench just in case. He wondered if she could hear his own heart pounding in his chest.

His mind raced as he let her cry out her fear and shock onto him. He would have preferred to handle this himself, maybe face the guy down. But this fucker was a psycho and probably a murderer. Carson was a pretty tough guy, but he was also a realist.

He turned Jane away from the cab and edged in backwards, trying to avoid the grisly sight as he reached for his CB radio. He then sent out a 9-1-1 call on a channel he knew the cops monitored.

"You got that right," he said after the initial exchange. "A finger. In my cab. Delta Charley Whiskey, Eight-Six-Three-Niner, I'm in the parking lot of the Campbell Diner...."

After finishing with the cops he dragged Jane back to the mattress and just held her there. "Cops are on the way," he said. Carson said that softly, but he also wasn't giving her a choice in the matter.

Jane flung herself at Carson the moment he came to her side. She couldn’t believe what Simon had done. She knew this was his work. It had to be, there was no doubt in her mind. The finger had belonged to a really good friend of hers. Jim. The two of them had been childhood sweethearts, but had mutually broke things off when they realized that each had different goals in life. The two eventually had drifted apart for several years and then reconnected as friends a few years back when they realized they lived in the same area. Jim had been married for a time, but that eventually went sour and he got divorced. Luckily, given the fact that she could pretty much surmise her friend’s fate, he and his ex had never had kids. If he had, the poor things would’ve now been left… fatherless. And it would’ve been all her fault.

Hell, it was still all her fault.

Just then, Jane shivered. She felt panic bubbling up within her chest, so much worry for Carson. Would Simon dare go after him now? Oh god! If he knew they’d slept together…! But she didn’t have much time to dwell on such things. Carson quickly turned her away from the scene and made a call over his CB radio.

A part of Jane panicked at Carson’s move. She feared what Simon would do now if he knew the cops could potentially be after him. Would he strike faster? Would he be more gruesome in his attempts? Dear god, she hoped not! For Carson’s sake, for her own.

“Cops are on the way,” Carson said, his voice soft and low.

Jane gave Carson a nod, her body still shaking at what she’d just seen. “That was Jim’s finger,” she said flatly, almost numbly. “I recognize his wedding band.” She paused a moment, blinking several times in hopes to prevent herself from crying. “He was a good friend of mine from way back and he helped me when I first got away from Simon, gave me shelter before I went on the run. I…” She looked over at him and swallowed, her eyes expressive and full of worry. “I didn’t want to endanger him any further, but… but…” her voice trailed and she buried her face in her hands.

Jane let herself cry for a few moments before getting herself back together. She looked up at Carson and moved to be closer to him. She nuzzled against him a bit before wrapping her arms about his middle.

“You’re in danger now. My god, I’m so sorry.” Again, Jane felt those damned tears stream down her cheeks. “Those cops. Ugh… Simon will have an alibi. I just know it. He’s not stupid.” Biting down on her lip, she wondered what more they could do. Even without a proper alibi, though she was certain Simon would have one, it would be a while before the cops could apprehend him. And in that time, she and Carson were in trouble. Serious trouble. They had to figure out a plan of action, figure out a way to get the psycho off their trail. She knew he had to be somewhere in Red Mills. Biding his time. Waiting. “So, what are we going to do?” she then asked, hoping Carson would have some sort of idea as to where they could go. She just hoped they wouldn’t be placing any more people in danger. People like her friend, Jim.

So this guy Jim had wound up maimed or even dead and he had helped her. Great. Nice going, Carson. You couldn't keep your dick in your pants and now you might die for it...But the trucker angrily shook these thoughts from his head. He had promised her his help and she would have it. And besides, he didn't want to leave her.

"I'm sorry about Jim," he said softly, still caressing her hair as they sat together. "But I made my own choice, Jane. So don't think anything else about it." He sat silently for a few moments after she asked what would come next. Keep heading towards Southerton? He had friends in that area, might be safer. Also he had a job to do. But now they were entangled in a crime.

"Cops might want us to stay here," he said firmly. "If they do we make sure they protect you." And he had friends here, too. He recognized the Red Mills patrol car as it pulled up. This was Terry Hudson's beat and his shift.

Terry was about Carson's age; they had even been to community college together. They went back a ways, even though they mostly ran into each other when the trucker was on the road. Carson gently guided Jane out of the cab through another entrance and kept one arm wrapped around her protectively as he shook Terry's hand.

The cop asked Carson some formal questions, whistled upon seeing the finger, and promptly called in some back-up and an ambulance. "Trying to keep me busy, huh, Carson?" he said, giving the trucker a mock glare. Then he turned to Jane.

"If I could get your full name, ma'am," he said politely. "Carson here says you might know the vic and the, uh, perpetrator?"

Jane was beyond shaken. Though she’d expected such a move to be made by Simon, a part of her had hoped she was being overly morbid in her thinking. The fact that he’d targeted someone other than her… oh the result of such actions still did not sit very well with her. Now one of her friends, one who’d had such an impact on her life, was most likely gone. And then there was Carson.

Carson!

It just made Jane want to scream and cry until she had no energy left. Then, she could just pass out and let unconsciousness take over and whisk her away from the cruel realities of her life. Consumed inwardly with both grief and fear over what had happened and what could, she tried her best to keep it together. Maybe with Carson by her side, the two of them together could take Simon down. It was a possibility, albeit far-fetched as far as she could see. At least at that moment. But the trucker seemed to want to stay with her, his words and actions made that as clear as crystal. And it was something she was glad of and for more than one reason as well.

Jane pressed herself close to Carson and she couldn’t help but notice how nice it felt to have his arm protectively wrapped about her body. It felt comfortable and right and made her feel warm and safe. Trying to clear her head, she shook the cop’s hand and gave him a nod.

“Uhh… yes,” Jane stammered. “My name is Jane. Jane Cromwell.” She paused for a moment and licked her lips. As she stood there in silence, she could feel her eyes beginning to sting. Poor Jim! “And yes. Jim. Uhh… James Porter. He’s the umm…” her voice trailed and she leaned into Carson even more, her body tensing and shivering. “He’s the, the…” At that she took a deep breath. “And Simon Bailey. He’s the man you should be after.”

Jane couldn’t believe she’d spoken his name out loud just then. And to a cop of all people! She knew at that moment, she and Carson had gone down a path of no return. When Simon found out, she was more than certain that he’d pursue them with a fury she was sure she’d never seen unleashed before. Suddenly, she felt her teeth begin to chatter. She looked up at the trucker holding her close, her pale eyes expressive and welling with tears.

“I’m so scared,” Jane whispered, stating what she knew had to be more than obvious.

~~~

Simon started the engine up on his rental vehicle, a wide grin spreading across his lips. He pushed at his sandy hair and picked up a cell phone. As he began to dial, he saw the police car pull into the parking lot across the way. It wasn’t long before he saw his Jane exit the truck, the very one in which he’d left his gift. The moment his eyes focused on her form, he felt a yearning need boiling within his blood. He wanted her. And he wouldn’t stop until he finally did. He’d been so close the last time he’d caught her.

Simon pounced on top of Jane, her legs spread beautifully before him. He could see that she was terrified and given her defiance, he felt that she ought to be. The fear rolling off her body was intoxicating and only added to his arousal. Her one leg was free, but she was not in a position to fight. She was at the disadvantage.

Giving Jane a smirk, Simon kissed her hard on the mouth and worked his way down her body. She writhed and screamed as he touched her, worshipping her body in the only way he knew he could. By force. Kissing, tasting, licking, he finally reached her bruising thighs. He marveled in the stark contrast of black and blue against the milky white color of her unmarred skin. It was stunning and made his breath catch. Never had he seen anything more beautiful.

Body tense and filled with lust, Simon dipped his head down and began to kiss Jane’s thighs. They were already spread, though she continually tried to pull them together. With a growl, he pushed at them again and pressed his mouth against her core.

“Please! No! Please!” Jane shrieked. Her cries only made Simon want her more. He wanted her to submit to him and him alone. She was his for the taking. No one else’s. It was then that he knew he’d harm anyone who got in the way of that. And anyone who so dared to touch what was rightfully his.

“I can taste you even through your panties, Jane. My god!” Simon stated.

Just then Simon felt something hard hit his head. Jane had freed her leg again and she kicked him. The jolt of her kick had taken him off guard. Blinking, trying to focus, he felt another jolt and then another and another. Each blow directly on his head and neck. It was jarring and though not enough to take him down, it confused him. He never noticed his beloved’s arms getting free. And the last thing he remembered that night was his woman holding a lamp over his head and bringing it down upon him with all her might.

“Hi Jilly. Yes, it’s me,” Simon began as he drove away. “I need a favor…”

Terry nodded gravely and kept taking notes. After a few more routine questions, he went back to the squad car and got on his police radio. Carson, meanwhile, grasped Jane to his chest as tightly as he could. He could feel anger rumbling inside him at this guy. Anger, and just a bit of fear though. This sonofabitch was not fooling around.

Jane had tried to warn him. But even as this thought went through his mind it only touched the stubborn in the trucker. Last thing he was going to do was abandon her. "Cops are here, I'm here," he said, softly and as soothingly as possible. "Don't be scared." He kissed her lips gently.

After a few minutes Terry came back. "Miss Cromwell, I'm going to have to ask you stick around town until the state troopers can get a detective over here to take a statement," he said. "We'll put you up in a motel, have a patrolman watch over you." He turned to Carson. "We're going to dust your truck, but after that town regs say you can't leave it in this lot for more than one night."

Then it hit Carson. "Shit," he said. He had planned on taking Jane on his Southerton run. "You're not putting me up in a motel, are you?"

"No," said Terry, not unkindly. "Sorry, Carson. You won't be together for a little while."

Jane felt her blood run icy cold as the fear and reality of her situation grew dimmer and dimmer. Being separated from Carson was the last thing she wanted and for more than one reason. After everything that had transpired between them the night before, the intimacy, the connection, she wanted to stay with him. But there was the added fact that she feared being alone and feared what could happen to Carson if she wasn’t there with him. Simon, no doubt, knew he’d helped her out. Hell, he probably knew they’d had sex. Given the little surprise he’d left for her in his truck, she knew damned well that made him a target now. At least if she were with him, Simon might get distracted and target her instead. Oh it was a horrid dilemma where no matter which was she looked at it, she came out the loser.

Teeth chattering, hands shaking, Jane looked at Carson with wide eyes. It was apparent that she wasn’t happy about having to be separated from him, that she was absolutely terrified.

“Carson,” Jane whispered, her voice faltering ever so slightly. “I… I…” She knew there was nothing she could do. Carson had to finish his trip and she had to stay behind and answer the cop’s questions. She could only hope that Simon would leave Carson alone and that, in the end, Carson would indeed come back to her.

Jane had to admit to herself that she wouldn’t blame the trucker if he ditched her cold. He’d definitely not been in on her deal before they’d shared their bodies with each other. And she was pretty certain he’d never have bothered picking her up, let alone sleeping with her, if he’d known the truth of her entire situation. All of which made her feel absolutely miserable.

“I’ll be all right,” Jane finally said, her voice almost a whisper. She feared it would crack if she’d tried to speak normally. Clasping her hands together, she tried to put on a strong façade. Regardless of Carson’s intentions, she didn’t want him to worry or feel obligated. She just wanted him to be safe. In the end, that was the main thing anyway. Though deep down she wanted to be with him more than anything. “Maybe we can grab a bite before you head out?” she asked trying to casually change conversation.

As Jane waited for Carson’s answer, she glanced all about herself. There were no signs that she could see of Simon anywhere. But she knew he was clever, the sort to hide his tracks well. She also had no doubt that he’d have an alibi ready if and when the authorities apprehended him. Simon had charm, wit. He had a charisma that attracted several. She’d been one of those ‘severals’ at one point before realizing the truth of his actual nature. So she was certain it would be difficult for them to actually keep him held for any length of time. It was infuriating, terrifiying and she knew it would only add fuel to his already burning fire.

Swallowing hard, Jane wondered just how close Simon was. He had to be in town still. Probably laughing over her reactions, the turmoil he was placing them all in. Yes, it was only a matter of time now. The moment Carson left her side, she knew Simon would reveal himself. It was his way and he wouldn’t change it up now. All she could do was be prepared for it and focus on coming out both unscathed and alive afterward.

Carson cursed silently as he continued to hold Jane close. Dammit. Dammit. He should have been on his way to Southerton by now. Instead, he gotten mixed up-- He put all those thoughts away. He cared for her. And he'd stick by her. But things needed to be done first.

He pushed her away slightly while holding onto her arms. "Jane," he said, "I gotta make the Southerton run. I need to get that done. When I get there, I'll park my truck with a friend and rent a car. I'll be back tonight. I promise." He didn't say that if he didn't leave her now, he never would. And that would mean getting in trouble with his truck here.

Some more police had shown up. Terry was talking to a cop who had was looking over at Jane. Probably her police escort for the time being. They walked over to Carson and Jane, and the other officer nodded a curt greeting.

"This is Officer Lesniak," said Terry to Jane. "He'll be taking you to the motel."

"I'll be back," said Carson, holding both Jane's hands in his now. "I'll be back tonight."