Free Black Ghost Runner by M. Garnet Page A

as he settled in, belted up and changed gears to pull out. She was smart enough not to say anything, not to move until he reached over, turned on the radio, and nodded.
    “Okay, sweetheart, get up and relax because in this truck, we have a couple of hours drive before I kick you out. I don’t talk when I drive, so catch a nap.”
    It was as he said. The music was western, and low, the truck was smooth on the highway so she settled down. She didn’t sleep, but she did relax.
     
    Two hours later, the driver pulled over. Sally rose up, looked around, and saw that they were in an industrial area.
    “Look, this is fairly safe, just don’t hang around here. We are in between work shifts, so it will seem a little quiet. About two blocks that way will take you to a couple of main streets. You can find a bus station not too far away. Good luck.”
    “Thanks so much, you got a good heart.” She slid down from the truck, pulling her two bags behind her. The truck rumbled forward, then immediately turned down a side street. She heard another rumble right behind the truck.
    Sally swung around with her tote at her feet, her backpack only half way on. The big black bike was right there. Evidently, he had followed the truck. He was so close the driver either hadn’t seen him in the mirrors or just hadn’t paid any attention.
    She actually took a second to look around, thinking she might run, but then sucked in a deep breath. She froze instead as he got off, walked around, and reached down, taking her bags. Turning his back to her, he tied them to the back of the bike on each side. He returned to the other side and swung his long legs over. Although he had on dark glasses, she knew he was staring at her.
    “Come around to this side to get on.”
    Sally felt her identity going back to one he knew. Beth . His words also were not a request.
    She wasn’t sure which would take more fortitude—to get on that bike, or try to run. She knew she could not out run him, so finally she walked around. He held out a bent arm that she could hang onto in order to swing over the seat behind him.
    He showed her where to place her feet. “Your best bet is to put your arms around me. Hang on tight, because I drive fast.” That was the only warning he gave her, but it was correct. Sally barely had her arms around him when he applied the speed. She gripped as hard as her muscles could and laid her head against the leather on his back.
    So, here she was—the very place she didn’t want to be. Sally hated motorcycles, she hated him , and she hated being out of control and being used. Right this moment, she hated her life. She would give anything for a stiff drink of that Jack Daniels she had given the Chief.
     
    The day was quickly fading as the bike sped down a highway that was going north. She was now Beth as she saw road signs that said I-90 , so she knew when they crossed into Montana. She ducked back down, protected from the wind that was beginning to get cold, as night settled in. She wondered where he was taking her.
    They passed quickly through a couple of small towns. They turned onto a side road, still paved, that led through the hills covered with forests, making the night darker. They passed homes that were set back as they traveled. The homes were further and further apart. He pulled into a driveway, then up in front of a house that, in the dark, was just a large black shadow. He stopped the bike and killed the motor.
    Beth was shocked as the vibration that had been pulsing through her body quit, but her ass still tingled. He moved around her to begin to take her two items from the bike, so she slipped off the side that tilted downward. He was ignoring her as he took her things and walked up the steps entering the house. She stood, smelling the last of the exhaust drift away. The sweet smell of the large oak trees was adding to the deep darkness overhead.
    There was a low light that came on inside, so she decided to go on in to see where