7. A Can Of Mace In the Face

 Taesha's POV

The ride was quiet. Even the music he listens to sounds strange as it plays in the background. Whoever the artist was, they were singing in a foreign tongue. I kept silent. I had zero interest in him or his music. I busied myself, trying desperately to get my phone to power up. So I could call my friend Cameron and let her know what has happened to me. But don't think I wasn't keeping my eyes discreetly on the stranger with the peculiar eyes for a minute. 

'Oooh! It can't be happening this way! My head drops in despair. Thinking about leaving my brand-new wrecked car behind was heartbreaking. I've been driving since I was sixteen years old and have never gotten into a wreck until now! I spent a lifetime avoiding dangerous situations like the one I'm in tonight! 

I glance down, and I'm barefoot like a fool! I don't have any shoes on my feet! Is that why he made me take my shoes off so I couldn't run away? If that is the case, he is sadly mistaken because if he attempts to get freaky with me, I will jet out of this car while it's moving! Barefoot and all, to get away from him! 

Picking my purse off the floor, I begin frantically searching for my can of mace. I never leave my house without a can of mace, and I rarely talk to strangers or make eye contact with people on the street. 

Finally, I felt the can in my purse. 'If this man tries something, he's going to wish he didn't.'

He doesn't think I see him sliding those eyes at me, but I see him. Though he's acting like a good Samaritan since our encounter here, who knows, he could very well be an ax murderer! I kept my purse on my lap with my hand inside, gripping the can, ready to spray if he tried anything.

Also, I kept my eyes on the clock in his car. Our ride together was full of awkward silence. It took us fifteen minutes to come to an auto shop. Finally, the bright red sign flashed "closed." I was so disappointed, "No!" I exclaimed. He looked a little disappointed but not as much as me. I sat there pondering my limited options. I had no choice but to take my chances with the stranger as long as I had my can of mace close at hand. I felt I had a fighting chance if he tried something.

Dexter POV

Oh my goodness, I rub the steering wheel. I can see the champagne color of my car on the inside. I see the dashboard and how all the functions are colored-coded. I see a bright light on the clock. And when I occasionally slid my eyes over at the girl, I could see her pretty but agitated face. It didn't make sense to stop driving since the place was closed, so I kept going and requested the next mechanic shop. 

But we were going further away from the highway to get her needed help. I had no real complaints because I could see snow for the first time, the colorful signs, the red, green, and yellow traffic lights, and the buildings that weren't covered in snow. Her presence wasn't friendly but having my full vision put me in a good mood to be a good samaritan tonight. What else could I do? I can't drop her off, hoping I don't hear about her the next day on the news. 

"Now what?" she asked me in an irritated tone. 

Despite her tone, I smile at her, hoping to relax her a bit. Then I point to the screen. "The digital map says there's another auto shop about 20 minutes away."

"Alright, take me there..."

"That's what I'm doing." Silence engulfs the car once more. I clear my throat, looking at her with her hand in her purse. Did she have a gun? Or some weapon? So I proceeded with caution when I asked. 

"Do you have a name?" I asked her as we left the small town, heading back on the next dark road. I had hoped a general cordial conversation would help relax and break the silence.

"Taesha." 

"How do you spell your name?" She didn't answer me right away. So I said. "Let me take a shot, is it spelled Tayshia?" 

"No. It’s T-a-e-s-h-a. Tae-sha Tran. And please don't think about calling me T- n - T. or Tee, tee." She rolled her eyes and folded her arms while keeping one in her purse.

"Mmm... that's interesting." 

"What's interesting?" Taesha didn't feel comfortable with him trying to exchange or hold a conversation or get familiar with her. 

"You're not going to ask me what my name is?" 

"Uhh...yes, pardon my manners. I'm still a little shaken over my car, boots, and all my plans that have gotten blown to oblivion. What's your name?"

"It's Dexter Lee or Lee Dexter"  

"Nice to meet you, Dexter Lee." She says, exasperated. Taesha shifted to look out the passenger window watching the snow continue to fall. She's worried about her new car, wondering if the snow is about to swallow it. She couldn't beleive she was in this precarious situation.

I look at her waiting for her to say something next about my name. Since she didn't recognize my face or music when she got in the car, I knew she would pick up on my name. She was stranger than I thought. I'm sure her last and first names have a story because minds certainly do. She catches me staring at her out of the corner of her eye. 

Taesha irritatedly adjusted her purse, ready to spray him senseless if he tried anything.

 But instead, she turns and boldly looks at him, glaring with narrow slits in her eyes.

I asked her, "was it something I said?" shaking my head in disbelief.  

"What?" she says with an attitude toward me. 

"You don't realize who…? Forget it. It's not important." I feel slightly offended, thinking, does she live under a rock or something? But quickly, I realized that could be to my advantage as well. If she thinks I'm some regular guy, then I don't have to be as cautious about her trying to expose me to the media. But now I got my work cut out on getting her to be friendly with me. If I don't, this will be the end of me continuing to have my whole vision and being able to find out why and how this is happening. 

If the next mechanic shop opens, she will no doubt feel like she no longer needs my assistance and will be ready to leave me. I look at my GPS, and we will be there soon.

Taesha turns her head back toward the window again with her phone. Probably wishing she could call someone so they could come to pick her up at the next stop. I hear her say. 

"What a disaster!"

I didn't acknowledge her remark. Here I was, having this incredible experience that I had to keep to myself. And the thought of our encounter ending and me going back into the shadowy darkness. My mind went back to those dangerous thoughts again. I felt unsure of what to do next to make Taesha feel like she needed me by her side.