I heard the engine of my car stutter, and then the ignition cut out. I shifted into neutral and guided the car to the side of the road. I parked and turned off my headlights.
Great, I thought, this is just great. I sighed and unbuckled my seat belt. I pulled my purse from the floor and took out my cellphone, flipping it open. The screen blinked "Low battery" twice, and then turned off. I pushed the power button but nothing happened. Dead phone. I pushed it back into my purse and turned around in the seat. At least I just passed a gas station just back around the curve.
I looked around outside, but I couldn't see anything. The sky was pitch black and there weren't any street lights here. I pulled on my jacket, picked up my purse and stepped outside of the car. I shut the door and locked it.
The air felt damp around me and then I realized it was mist blowing through the air. I pulled my hood up. I walked back toward the gas station, and I noticed my senses were primed. I heard the gravel skittle beneath my feet and a rustling breeze through the cornstalks to my left. The air smelled brisk and sharp, autumn in its prime. I kept walking, looking forward and back to see if anyone else was around.
I hoped I was the only one out there. I walked around the curve of the road and I saw the flickering neon sign up ahead. A sickening shade of yellow, almost-orange that shone through the mist.
I crossed to the other side of the road and then I heard a louder rustling in the cornstalks where I just stood. I froze with my back to the street. The gas station was open, I could tell from here. I wanted to walk in and ask the clerk if I could use his phone, but my feet wouldn't move. Maybe what I felt was left over from primal instincts. If I don't move, it won't see me. I thought the instinct we were supposed to keep was fight or flight. In my mind, I reminded myself how silly this was. No one was out there. Nothing was in the cornstalks. It was my imagination, frightened thoughts mixing with the chilling atmosphere.
And yet I heard something take a breath, my ears were so sensitive. I heard the gravel shift, something moving its feet.
I looked ahead and counted the steps to the clerk's desk. How fast could I get there? Would that thing behind me chase me?
I needed to look over my shoulder to see what was there. Probably nothing, and later I'd laugh about how I scared myself.
But if there was something standing there, watching me?
I could almost feel it waiting for my move. I took a deep breath and ran for the neon lights, full sprint.
The growl started low, guttural, and it grew into something like a roar.