Free A Darker Shade of Midnight by Lynn Emery Page A

a can of beer, approached squinting against the bright sunshine. Grime and the sun had darkened their otherwise white skin. One of the men tried to put on a charming smile. The effort only made him look sinister
    “Hi you doin’, darlin’? Out enjoying the day like us, I see. My names is– ”
    “Bob, that’s his name. I’m John,” his friend cut him off. He was a short man with a beard and mustache. He had on a plaid shirt with the sleeves pushed up to the elbow.  
    “Bob and John, huh?” LaShaun faced them with her arms down to her side. A tingle up her spine signaled this was a bad development.  
    “We’ve got cold beer and sandwiches. Even got us a CD player with funky music.” The one called “Bob” stared at LaShaun’s breasts.  
    “No thanks. I’m on my way home.” LaShaun took a step back. John circled to her left in a move that blocked her escape route. “Look, guys, I’m not looking for a party or company.  
    “Bein’ all by yourself ain’t no fun, girl.” Bob walked close to her and stroked her arm.
    LaShaun slapped his hand hard enough to rock Bob’s entire body. “You don’t want to mess with me.”
    “I like ‘em wild,” John crowed.  
    “Let’s see how much fire you got, girl,” Bob said.
    He came in close again reaching for LaShaun breast. What he got was a fist to his groin and pain. Bob doubled over with a yelp. His buddy laughed as he grabbed LaShaun from behind and ground his pelvis against her.
    “Looks like it’s just you and me. My friend can’t do you any good in the lovin’ department.” John tried to put his hand under LaShaun’s t-shirt.  
    “Get off me.”  
    LaShaun struggled to get free. John laughed again, but stopped when she jammed a heel into the top of his foot. John grunted but his boot took most of the impact, and he t held on. Bob still lay in the thick grass, both hands cupping his privates. With all the force she had left, LaShaun fought back. Seconds seemed like hours as the man managed to force her to one knee onto the ground.   She screamed, but they were in the middle of bayou country. No other boaters or fishers were within sight. Bob put a grimy hand over her mouth. LaShaun twisted her head until she could bite into the flesh below his thumb.  
    “Damn bitch,” Bob shouted. He gripped her harder. “Now you really owe me a good time.”  
    His pal tried to get up, but winced and sank down again. He swiped sweat from his eyes. “Get her good for me, too.”
    Bob grabbed a handful of LaShaun’s hair and yanked. But she didn’t feel the pain. Instead, a ball of rage lodged in her chest like a hot chunk of coal. LaShaun focused on the image of the rock as it began to glow red around the edges. The scent of smoke filled her nostrils, and her focus narrowed until the scenery around her disappeared.  
    The burly man hissed in agony and let go of LaShaun. He stared at the palm of his hand. “What the hell? She burned me like a hot poker.”  
    “Don’t be stupid.” His friend seemed to have recovered. He stood. “We’re not leavin’ here until she pays for being such a hellcat.”  
    “Uh-uh, Jerry. Somethin’ ain’t right with this woman. I say we haul ass outta here.”
    “Fool, you just told her my real name.” Jerry turned to LaShaun with a nasty smile.   “Now you really gotta a problem, baby.”  
    The unmistakable earsplitting crack of a pump action shotgun made them all freeze.   Deputy Broussard emerged from the brush nearby dressed in jeans and an army green shirt. “Don’t move fellas.”  
    “We just havin’ a good time on the bayou is all.” Jerry spread his arms wide out as though showing the man he was no threat.
    “Just hangin’ out fishin’ and stuff. We got some beer and music. You can join us. Here you go.” The other man started toward the dropped six-pack.
    “I said don’t move,” Chase replied. “You make me nervous when you start jumping around like that. I might think you mean