Collide Read Online Free Page B

girl. You won’t regret this. You know I love you, girly, and I’m gonna make it all up to you.”
    I saw his foot move back and waited until it was all the way out because I only had one shot at it. As soon as I saw it was free, I slammed the door and pulled the deadbolt home.
     
    The banging and cursing and idiot speak and empty cycles of apologies went on for almost two hours. Why was he so persistent? What the heck did I have that other girls didn’t that he couldn’t resist?
    I was short and awkward. I’d seen plenty of better bodies. My hair was brown, mud brown no less. My boring brown eyes didn’t scream starlet, they whispered movie extra. I was a nobody. What was it with him and what was with Danny? I hadn’t been able to get a wink in since I got home and he was still snoring.
    I was surprised the neighbors hadn’t called the cops themselves making the situation worse. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d encountered Barney in cop mode. An idiot with a nightstick and a gun and a donut gut with no brain. I’m not cop bashing, this guy ate donuts long before he was a police officer.
    All of a sudden the noise stopped and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was up to. As I pressed my ear to the door and tried to peek out the gap in the door jamb I fully expected him to jump out and scare me laughing but I saw no one.
    I wouldn’t test my theory by opening the door, and though I was certain he had given up, I knew I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep tonight.
     
    I’m on the ridge. The moon is back and the city is buzzing with life beneath me. I have a letter from ‘Travel Journal’ in my hand but I’m afraid to open it. I also have a crappy cup of Coffee Place coffee in my cup holder. Danny’s jacket slung across the backseat where he forgot it, where he always forgets it.
    My cell buzzes. I check it, a text from Matt saying he’ll be late picking me up for dinner and a movie tonight. Then I realize, I’m dreaming. I’m rewinding my life back to the way it was before the bad news, the hit, the visitors or beings or phantoms.
    I try to wake myself up but I glance up and all I can see is a dark shadow figure walking in the road as I turn my head to survey the area.
    He is a silhouette under the street lamps. I can’t tell if I know him or not but somehow I feel like he’s familiar. Like I shouldn’t be afraid. I say hello and wait for an answer but receive none.
    He’s still walking, though it seems like he’s not making much progress for someone that isn’t that far off. Again I say hello and he stops. He points up to the sky. As I take my gaze from him slowly and reluctantly I see what he’s pointing to. I gasp as I see the red moon slowly eclipsing over and is no longer visible, making the stars shine brighter than ever.
    It’s so dark, I can’t see anything around me. Pitch black now. I hate dark. No sound. Utter silence and darkness except for my suddenly quick breaths.
    Fumbling quickly for my keys to turn on the car lights, I gasp as I hear the strangers voice right next to my ear and feel his extremely warm breath on my neck.
    “Wake up, Sherry.”
    Bright lights. Was I still dreaming? No. I had somehow positioned myself in such a way that the one stream of light coming in between the curtains was right on my face. Something else was in my face…feet. Gross, Danny!
    I must’ve fallen asleep not too long ago on the floor with my head laid back on the couch. Danny was still snoring.
    Ingrate.
    I wondered if I should have woke him up and warned him about Matt. He might decide to come back.
    “Danny. Danny.” Shaking him slightly doesn’t cut it but punching his arm does the trick. “Danny. I’m headed to work. Listen, Matt was here last night, drunk. He might come back tonight so, be careful and don’t open the door for him ok?”
    “Why didn’t you wake me up? I woulda handled him, like before.” He rubbed his eyes with his palms and blinked but, I could still tell he was