Chapter 1
Life in the city can't really be compared with that of a low-cost settlement, as Maureen is finding it a bit challenging to settle in her new rural vicinity. This is quite uneasy for her all in a bid to have much-needed privacy on a recommended vacation. Fair-complexioned, average-bodied, and so young close to her mid-20s, Maureen works as a journalist for a grassroots telecommunication company, and her efforts are well-observed based on moving up the ranks in her workplace. Due to the loss of her mother and being the only one fending for herself, Maureen's boss was generous enough to grant her a one-month leave away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This prompted her to temporarily move away from the noisy city life to a more quiet and easy environment, where the story of her life realistically came into existence.
Pulling up at a fuel stand in her small black car, Maureen waited for services in a bid to fill up her draining tank. After several seconds of parking and sounding the car horn with no reply in return, she decides to come down and take a look around. With her sunglasses hanging up above her head, Maureen locked up her car and walked towards the mini-mart right in the middle of the gas station.
"Hello, Anyone here?!", she called out with no response in return.
Maureen keeps talking to herself and wondering how people make sales when they won't even stay at their work post. As she kept walking towards the mart and was about to open the door, a voice sounded out right behind her, startling and prompting her to take a glance backward.
"How can I help you madam?", the man standing right behind her in a overall greased outfit blared out.
Looking a bit rusty with dark eyes and hair, the man stared her down while dropping a huge spanner from his greased-up hands. Maureen a bit startled nodded and flashed him a smile as her whole face told the terrific tales of her fright.
"Sorry for startling you, we don't actually have a lot of customers here", he said while grinning coldly at her.
Noticing the cold looks and getting a view of his name on his outfit, Maureen smiled and shyly walked past him towards the direction of her car, with the man glancing and sizing her up as he followed. Glancing backward to make sure he wasn't up to no good, Maureen smiles and shyly turned to open her fuel tank.
"James, I guess?", she said while opening up the tank.
He smiled and glanced down at his outfit where his name was hanging.
"You are very smart, not all would notice the name right there", he said without taking his cold eyes off Maureen.
She smiles while standing away for him to do his job, which seems to be taking like forever to get done.
"You seem new around here", James smiled as he leaned against the fuel machine with his arms folded.
A distressed and shy Maureen smiles and looks away, explaining to him that she just moved in from the city and doesn't seem to know much about the area yet. He expressed delight and surprise at the same time, offering his services as a guide while moving closer to Maureen as if to corner her up. Noticing the gesture, she gradually steps away while telling him she just wants her car filled up.
"Who says that's not what's going to happen?", he coldly said while moving closer to her.
Terrified and startled, Maureen knew it'd be impossible for anyone to come to her aid if she decided to call for help, as the whole vicinity looked too quiet for bad things to go on. With a cold and probably psychotic man coming at her, she knew her only options were to either run or manage to get into her car and break away. However, both seemed impossible too, as she was far from within the door range, and her legs wouldn't do much to beat a psycho that looked healthy and agile.
"Break it up, James! Leave the young woman alone", a voice ordered from within the mart entrance.
