Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Learning for Life (08/23/04)
TITLE: A date with a Serial Killer By Larry Hill 08/25/04 |
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
I was visiting my brother in Orlando, this was our first chance to get together in years and we were all enjoying our time together. I decided to stretch my legs and drove a short distance to the corner gas station to fill up my tank and get a snack or two. I was standing at the pump watching the traffic when he approached me. “Hello” he said in a friendly unassuming tone, “I was wondering if you would be kind enough to lend me a hand”. I was hesitant to speak at first but he seemed so friendly “I am just out for a few minutes” I replied, “and I need to get right back”, he gently put me at ease as he told me about his family and how he needed to drive to the grocery store “I know it is a lot to ask” he said “but I really need help”, as I continued to fill my fuel tank my Christian conscience began to move me. I glanced at him from time to time as he spoke and noticed that he was well dressed with kind looking eyes.
He explained that he lived just across the street in a trailer park and that his car battery had run down. I told him I really was not prepared or equipped to lend any assistance because I had no jumper cables, I was sure this would provide me an excuse and that he would seek help elsewhere but with no hesitation he told me that he had a good pair of cables in his car just across the street. “It is just across the street” he repeated with an almost sad look in his eyes “it won’t take you but a minute”. I felt so guilty right then about not wanting to help him that I agreed, “just drive right over to the trailer park there” he pointed “and take the second drive way to your left, I will be right there by my car, I really appreciate you helping me out this way” he then headed across the street to be ready for me to arrive. I went inside, paid and returned to my car and headed over to lend a kind hand.
I was not in any particular hurry as I crossed the street and turned into the trailer park, I noticed it seemed run down and very quiet and dark. I passed the first drive to my left and piloted my car into the second and suddenly I knew something was wrong. It was absolutely pitch black down that narrow drive and I sensed danger. Where were the man and his car I wondered? My hair stood up on the back of my neck and I suddenly felt very scared. I immediately hit the brakes, locked my doors and quickly shifted into reverse and made my exit. Driving straight back to my brothers house and did not say a word about my experience, at least not until the next day. I was watching the news reports and I was caught completely off guard by the top story, a man had been arrested after he had murdered a couple and stolen their car the night before just a few blocks from where we were. I listened and as his picture was shown to the world I got a huge lump in my throat. It was the well dressed man with kind looking eyes that had approached me for help the night before.
The newscast related how he had been moving around the country for months killing people and stealing their cars. He had already confessed to numerous crimes and murders. I called my brother and his family into the room and related to them what had happened the night before and how I had been spared an awful fate by the grace of God alerting me to the impending danger ahead. I still help people occasionally and I am always reminded of that dark night and how it provided learning for life.