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The engine cranked first try, and I jaole at me, and I made a split-second decision--based on ht at the thing

The car struck the gole a tree And, just as if I’d struck a tree, the airbag exploded inthe wind out ofdown to where I could see An acrid smell and a thin smoke filled the inside of the car; however, I could see a luround about ten feet in front of the car It was down, at least But a heartbeat later I could see the liht itself

"Oh, no, you fucker!" Thankfully the car was still running, though it had an unpleasant rattle that hadn’t been there before I threw the stupid car into reverse, nearly careening into an actual tree, then shoved it into drive--this tiravel and dust at it as I sped downquickly in ainly lope, following ave the briefest of glances tocar wasn’t about to plow into me, and then I hit the sole wheel tightly in an effort to keepIf Rhyzkahl hadn’t wokenabout how the deer He’d saved oing, where I was driving I glanced down and groaned And wearing nothing but a T-shirt and undies Niiiice And er by s coht flickered on as the car began to shudder I pulled to the shoulder and turnedto think of anything I ht have in my car that earable I needed a tow, and I needed a phone Because obviously I’d stuolem after me And if one was sent after ets as well

I radioed the dispatcher to notify them that I needed a tow and to please have an available unit swingdown the highway, I went digging through the trunk of nity I had left

About ten ot out, frowning at me as I leaned on the trunk of my car A second later Officer Gordon stepped out of the passenger side, looking at et to experience Weird Kara

"Why the hell are you wearing your rain gear?" Scott asked as his gaze swept over the knee-length yellow slicker that I clutched aroundstory," I said, knoell that I needed to coe to the car And why I was half-naked, barefoot, and forced to dress in a daht now I really need to use your phone"

He chuckled and passed his cell over to led to remember Ryan’s number I had it stored on my phone, not memorized "Shit Do you happen to have Jill’s nu toward the front of my car "Yeah, it’s under J for Jill What the hell did you hit? A concrete post?"

"So like that," I muttered as I dialed Jill’s number A few seconds later I heard her sleepy "hello"

"Jill, it’s Kara Yeah, I know it’s two AM, but I need Zack’s number And, yes, I know about you two"

"Yeah," she said after a couple of seconds "He toldsound then heard, Wake your butt up, Kara sounds freaked

I did? Great

"Kara? What’s wrong?" Zack asked

I lowered my voice and checked tothe front of oleot away, but I broke down on the side of the road I wanted to warn you and Ryan in case there’s hway 1792 I can get a ride over there, though Make sure Ryan knows, all right?"

"Will do We’ll talka raincoat?" Zack asked when I climbed out of Scott’s car

Unfortunately, since Officer Gordon had the passenger seat in front, that meant I’d had to ride in the back--usually reserved for prisoners I could only i as Gordon opened the back door to release a raincoat-clad wohborhood

I thanked the two officers for the ride, then turned back to Zack as Scott drove off

"Because I was asleep when the da to the door where Jill aiting "And apparentlycreatures And I didn’t have ti on my way out my bedroomAnd the only options that were in ically placed gun belt"

Zack grinned "I vote for the gun belt," he said, then laughed as Jill thwapped him on the back of the head "What?" He put on an innocent expression "I was un to defend herself!"

Jill snickered "Oh, yes Always thinking of others!" She turned to head back into the house just as a screech of tires froht our attention A heartbeat later a dark blue Crown Victoria hurtled into the driveway, sla to a stop millimeters from Zack’s car I stared as Ryan practically flew out of the car and towardshorts, a T-shirt, and untied sneakers with no socks