By Raylin Kelley
“Don’t hitchhike over Kaelan Ridge,” growled the scruffy truck driver as he downed a coke outside the gas station. “No one ever makes it across.”
A rough laugh had escaped Daena’s lips at the old-timer’s warning. He obviously didn’t know Daena Austin.
***
“Ethel, we’ve got another drifter.”
A thin smile stretched across Ethel Grieves’s face, and her manicured nail punched the com button embedded into the knotted wood of the bookshelf. “I’ll take care of it,” she rasped and levered up out of her worn leather chair, dropping her open novel on the armrest. This shouldn’t take long. Then she would return to her library, her one haven, and reenter the solace of a fictional reality.
Hot, dry wind blasted in Ethel’s face as she approached the open window. They hadn’t had a hitchhiker in ages. The locals knew better than to hike through Grieves family land, and Ethel made certain that the police and their dogs stayed away from Kaelan Ridge. Her family acted like she didn’t exist, but when things got messy, they came groveling. No one could touch Ethel Grieves, or the pawns she chose to protect. She slammed the window closed. Time for a drive.
***
Sweat stained Daena’s faded red t-shirt. With each step, her backpack strap dug into her shoulder. The weight brought an expectant smile to her cracked lips. Soon. I’ll do what I must. Daena’s eyes closed at the barbed pain rippling across her back. The rivets in her father’s belt had stung far worse than the sun now glaring in her eyes. A roiling concoction of anger and fear swelled, curling Daena’s hands into white-knuckled fists. Her sneaker met a hunk of quartz, sending it careening back down the road. Never again. I can’t let him find me. I’m sorry, Jamie… I can’t.
Just then, a two-toned, orange-and-white jeep rounded the corner at the bottom of the ridge, spitting a cloud of dust into the shimmering air. Daena stuck out her thumb. The jeep shot past then ground to a stop about fifteen feet ahead, gravel peppering the white fenders. The window whirred down, and a chestnut-haired woman waved.
“Hop in, Honey. Where ya headed?”
Daena nearly skipped over to the passenger side door, and jumped in. “West. As far as I can go.”
“I can take you across the ridge at least.” The jeep resumed its crawl up the rise. “Whatcha doin’ out here, Honey? Hitchhiking is dangerous.”
Not as dangerous as picking me up. “I’ll risk it.”
The short lady’s eyes narrowed as she scanned Daena. “You’re pretty young ta be travelin’ on your own. Won’t your parents worry ’bout ya?”
“No. They wish I didn’t exist.” Daena winced. “I mean—”
“Then you’re not from ‘round here.”
Daena shook her head, not trusting her lips.
“Hasn’t anyone warned you about hitchhiking across Kaelan Ridge?” The southern drawl abruptly disappeared, replaced with sharp, crisp articulation.
Yes. “No.” Daena’s right hand inched toward her backpack’s zipper.
“Too bad.” The lady’s murky green eyes fell on Daena’s hand and lost their smile lines. “Kaelan Ridge is Grieves land.”
***
Ethel watched Daena reach for the lump in her backpack. Switchblade or ghost gun. Not that either could catch me.
“Grieves Land?” The girl’s forehead wrinkled.
This girl has no clue, and yet… she’s carrying a weapon. An idea sparked. “What did you say your name was?”
“Daena. Daena Austin.” Her fingers brushed the zipper pull.
“Daena, I’m Ethel, and I’m the forgotten kid, too.”
***
Daena’s hand closed on the zipper. Grieves land… Ethel… Ethel Grieves. She froze. “Not the Grieves family.”
“So, you do know.” Ethel smirked.
“No one really knows… but everyone’s heard.” Daena inched toward the door, mind racing. Calculating the Jeep’s speed, the distance to the ground. She reached for the handle.
The corner of Ethel’s mouth rose, and the hint of admiration startled Daena. “Daena, don’t jump. You’ll hit the rocks, and no one drives the ridge road.”
Daena yanked the zipper open, but Ethel tore the backpack away, tossing it onto the back seat.
“You won’t need that.” Ethel smiled sardonically. Terror gripped Daena’s heart. “We’re almost there.”
Daena stared silently, shoulders trembling.
“You seem like a resourceful girl. I don’t have many friends in my line of work.” Ethel’s eyes left the road and met Daena’s. “I think you’d be good at it.” She nodded to Daena’s backpack. “If anyone else had picked you up, you’d be driving west alone right now, wouldn’t you?”
“Yeah.” Daena’s fingers twitched.
“What do you say? I won’t offer twice.”
Daena’s gaze flashed to her bag, If she’s serious… Dad would never find me. I might even find a way to get Jamie out. A glimmer of hope flickered through her fear. “I’m in.”
“Welcome to the Grieves family, Daena.” Ethel grinned and reached over to grasp Daena’s hand. As she did, the cold metal revolver tucked under her thigh shifted. Ethel hadn’t needed it. This time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fun story, Raylin! I imagined Ethel driving the Jurassic Park jeep, and was waiting for the T Rex to jump out. Though I think the combined firepower of Daena and Ethel could take it out for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, I am seriously impressed that you pulled off two points of view with your story—that is SO cool!
Sounds like Ethel and Dawna should get along great too.
Good characterization on them both.
Well executed story with challenging switches in perspective! Enjoyed seeing this progress to this from rough draft ;)
Quite a wild ride, if you forgive the pun! Nice take on Ethel. This had me guessing who would come out on top, but great conclusion.
Filled with tension and twists, this is a great two-character piece.
Rookie mistake, Daena. Don’t say “I’m in.” without first asking about salary, work hours, opportunities for promotions or continued education.
Wow, I loved the dual-POV between these two characfers, I’m really impressed! I love that both of them are a bit different but very similar in certain ways. Great job with the suspense–I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!
Cool and creepy, with a nice take on Ethel. I can see a lot of possibilities for both their futures.