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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Key (02/14/13)
I've got to get out of here right away! I don't feel safe at all!

The auburn-haired young woman nervously ripped clothes from hangers and flung them into a large suitcase. Despite the July afternoon's warmth, a chill seemed to invade the small, neat bedroom of her apartment, and she shivered involuntarily. Her diary, a framed photo of her parents, toiletry items, and some undergarments were tossed atop the clothing pile before she banged the lid shut and fastened the latches.

Grabbing purse and keys off the dresser, she hurried from the room as fast as her heavy case allowed. At the front door she hesitated a second before turning back to snatch up a scrawled note she'd found in her mailbox upon returning from work. She stuffed it into her purse as fear propelled her toward the curb, where she threw her suitcase into the car trunk and slid behind the wheel.

With her head bowed upon trembling hands, she briefly closed her eyes. "Now just where can I go that I won't be found? Dear God, help me know what to do!"

She straightened, inserted the key into the ignition, and listened while her nearly-new '47 Ford roared to life. It had been purchased with hard-earned wages from her secretarial job at the insurance company, and today it was her ticket out of town and hopefully out of trouble.

Ten minutes later, she passed the town's limits and turned onto the highway leading to the anonymity of some larger cities where she hoped to blend into the crowd for a couple days while she formulated her plans.

That night was spent in a cheap motel along the way, but after an early breakfast, she was on the road again. She'd read and reread the threatening note, and each time it strengthened her resolve to flee the situation. It contained only six short words, but they punctured her heart with knife-like thrusts: "You blab, you'll pay--big time."

As she drove along, questions hammered at her: Why did I have to overhear that horrifying conversation? Why was I careless enough to be seen running from the building afterwards? How did the police know to ask me those questions? Again the desperate plea ascended: "Dear God, help me know what to do!"

At one point she turned on her radio in an attempt to drown out her fearful thoughts with some Big Band music. When the early evening newscast began, she was stunned to hear her name: "Twenty-three-year-old Laura Bendix of Morganton, a key witness in the extortion and murder trial of local businessman Terrance McDowd, is missing. She failed to report to the courthouse this morning for a pretrial interview with the prosecuting attorney and hasn't been seen or heard from by anyone since leaving work yesterday. Miss Bendix is new to the area, coming from out-of-county, and has been employed for two months by the Scott Insurance Company, situated in the same building as Mr. McDowd's accounting business. Anyone knowing information on her whereabouts is asked to phone Attorney Peterson at the courthouse. The case comes to trial beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow. In other news..."

Laura flicked off the radio and began biting her nails. She couldn't go to her folks' place and endanger them or any of her hometown friends, and she had to stay away from Morganton until the trial was over and a verdict reached.

I don't want any part of the court proceedings! If I can't be found, I can't be forced to testify. Then I'll be able to breathe easier and return to my apartment.

Later, at the little diner where she ordered a bite to eat, she made a quick phone call to her parents. "Mom, it's Laura. No, I can't tell you where I am, but I'm okay. Please ask God to show me what to do. If I give evidence against Mr. McDowd I might come to harm. I'll call again soon." With that she hung up, while snatches of the radio broadcaster's words replayed in her panicked thoughts: "Laura Bendix...key witness...extortion and murder...missing...trial tomorrow."

Kneeling in another lonely hotel room that night, her prayer was simple and direct: "Help me, God." This time she stilled her mind, listening for an answer. Out of the silence, it came clearly, powerfully: "I am with you always. The truth shall make you free."

Peace settled over her. Knowing what she was to do, she arose and reached for her car keys.


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Scriptures quoted: Matthew 28:20 & John 8:32
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This article has been read 1158 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Bowden 
02/21/13
This was a thrilling story. I was biting my nails from beginning to end.
C D Swanson 
02/24/13
Wow- this really rattled me...I was nervous the entire read!

Great job.

God bless~
Carolyn Ancell
02/24/13
Heart-in-throat reading! And you leave us in some suspense too. Talk about involving the reader. I finished reading your story, and find myself still involved ...
Margaret Kearley
02/25/13
Wow - this is an amazing story, you draw the reader in immediately and having started, its impossible to stop! I desperately want to know more - you will have to write a sequel! Your storyline plot and your power of description are excellent. Really great writing.
Danielle King 
02/25/13
This is fast moving and enthralling. You certainly know how to grab the reader's attention. I like the ending too, when God let's her know what she has to do. That's when I remembered to breathe!
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
02/25/13
This is beyond excellent! I so enjoyed reading this extremely well written entry, and so very satisfied by the conclusion - yes, the Truth will set us free . . .
Cheryl Harrison
02/25/13
Well written. Your descriptions held my attention all the way through. I wanted to find out what happened. Good job!
lynn gipson 
02/25/13
Brilliant. I would love to know the whole story. Hope you consider this as a book if you haven't already.

Had me from beginning to end. This is a great one.

The truth shall set us free, and He will always be with the truth.
Alicia Renkema
02/25/13
This was very tight yet very descriptive writing. There was not one wasted word here. Reading this entry was like watching a suspenseful drama unfold. I was completely caught up with wondering is Laura going to be safe by the end of the story? This was a fabulous read, though totally nerve wracking. I certainly hope there is more to come. I think this could make for a chapter in an even more intriguing book. Even though the scripture verse at the end signals to me what she is going to do. If she does the right thing, which I think she will because God always wants one to do the right thing, right? That doesn't mean the rest will be easy. So there is room for more. I hope you will write it. Thanks for the suspense, it was fun. Blessings to you.
Susan Montaperto
02/27/13
Very focusd and suspensful writing. My attention was caught and held from the beginning until the end.
I do hope you plan to continue the story, I definitely would like to read more. It's quite thriller for just a short story.
God bless.
Bea Edwards 
02/27/13
Suspenseful and gripping tale. I liked how you set the scene in late the late 40's. It made it seem so much more a real event in someone's life taken from the pages of the old 'who-done-its..' Fantastic concept for this weeks challenge!
Loren T. Lowery
02/28/13
Myrna - this is simply terrific and I loved the cliff-hanger ending. The writing is taught and tight, the suspense building upon each new paragraph. Congratulations on your EC - well deserved, indeed : )
Danielle King 
02/28/13
Congratulaions Myrna. This is a thrilling read!
Alicia Renkema
02/28/13
I just knew it! This piece was way too riveting not to place. Congratulations on this most deserved win. I can hardly wait to read more. I really hope there will be a sequel to this one!
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
03/01/13
Congratulations! May God bless you richly . . .
Olawale Ogunsola
03/03/13
Seven stands for perfection. Yours is a KEY PLACING, congratulations!