Ain't no Sunshine

"Ain't no Sunshine here," a voice called from behind the screen.
"Do you know where she is?"
"Who's asking?" The voice became a shape, surveying the stranger intently.

Thalia heard the pop of a can, the satisfied slurp that followed.  A long beer belch 

accompanied the rest.

"You're pretty young to be going to strangers houses like this.  Someone could 

take advantage of a little thing like you.

Thalia took a step back, slowly.

"You're right", she choked out a nervous giggle.  Scanning her periphery, afraid to turn her head on the shadow.  "I think I might have the wrong house." She took another slow step toward the street, her car, her phone.  What an idiot to leave it in the car.

She turned to look at her car, her phone, her safety.

The door squeaked, and a bootfall echoed on the old wooden porch.

"Or maybe today is your lucky day, sweetheart."

Her breath caught as his wicked grin set her body motionless.

A fat gray cat jumped onto the rails, the sound put them both in motion, ending the pregnant pause.

"Go on, shoo!"

She didn't wait for him to ask twice.  She ran to her car, nearly dropping her keys as she fumbled to find the right one.

"I'll tell Sunshine you stopped by", the man slurped his beer through his wide grin.  "You go where it's safe, cutie" he winked at her as the finally got her door open.

He lurched forward on the porch, and Thalia gave a little jump as she got in her car, bumping her head as she sat down.  Her whole body was shaking.  

"Ow, that hurt, you sure you don't want to come inside and let me ice that for you?" Thalia heard

as she slammed the door and fumbled with the ignition.

The car took forever to start, and when it finally did, the man was at her passenger door, leaned down, leering.  She pushed the accelerator, as he waved his final goodbye, a lone finger, and "Stupid bitch" echoing on the quiet street.