Marion always shouted at the stupid movie heroine, running in a straight line while the vehicle bore down on her from behind. Yet here she ran, slap bang down the middle of the road, doing the exact damn thing.
But it wasn’t like she had a choice.
The tall rock walls on either side looked too high to jump. In any case, she was no athlete. Should a miracle occur, and she managed to leap up and grab hold of the top of one, instead of pulling herself up and over, she’d likely hang there, imitating a turkey in a Dickens butcher shop window, until they caught up with her.
Her ragged breath hitched as she sprinted down the lane. There was a pain in Marion’s side, and she gasped for air, but forced her legs to keep moving. After getting away, she must now make her escape.
Hope surged, as the stone confines gave way to a thick hedgerow, but evaporated, as she examined the towering shrubbery. It proved as challenging as the rock walls, for someone trying to get off the road. With bristling branches growing tightly interwoven, the hedge would grab hold of her like Velcro if she tried to dive through its impenetrable mass.
The rumble of a motor sounded in the distance. Her eyes darted left to right, her breath coming in wheezes. The noise of their van grew louder. Once they came around the bend and spotted her, she would hear the engine rev and their shouts as they raced towards her.
Marion decided she might as well save her energy. Perhaps if she turned and stood with her arms in the air, they wouldn’t…
Up ahead, the roots of the hedge spread in a small opening, probably caused by animals pushing their way through. She winced, comparing the size of the hole to the width of her hips, and bitterly regretting those desserts she’d never been able to resist. Still, she knew escape would demand drastic measures. She would do whatever it took.
Marion threw herself to the ground, diving headlong into the cavity, then wiggling forward with all her strength, ignoring the fact she was over fifty and overweight.
Branches stabbed and clutched at her, scraping her back, as stones poked up from the earth, gouging her belly. For a terrifying moment, her hips did wedge. But desperation spurred her, and she dragged herself free, an inch at a time, knowing she’d pay with severe bruises tomorrow.
When her upper body cleared, she rolled over and yanked her legs out—as car brakes screeched on the other side of the hedge. Marion yelped and leapt to her feet, staring wildly around.
Neither of those large men would fit through that tiny opening. She was sure of it. Which meant she had a moment to consider her three options.
First option, go right, retrace the path she’d taken.
Second, turn left, and parallel the roadway.
Or third, keep straight across the pasture in front of her.
She rejected retracing her steps at once.
But if she continued along beside the road, that was the same direction they must drive their vehicle. They could easily intercept her if they found a gap—like a gate—in the hedgerow.
Which left the third option, going forward, as her only alternative. A thin line of trees on the field’s far side offered minimal shelter. If she were lucky, it might turn into a forest.
Though it was ill-timed, Marion paused to spare a thought for the others. She recalled Suzie’s sweet face, always a little puzzled, and Big Lou’s scowl. Should she have brought them with her?
She had decided. But they would be pleased she’d stolen her freedom. She knew that.
Car doors slammed, and she jerked her head around.
