In Laymon's Terms

“We’re not going anywhere,” he said in a level voice. “I already told you that, we’re staying right here!”

Her face fell and she sat back in the seat. Her eyes darted back out through the windshield before returning to stare at him. Her mouth opened, but she didn’t say anything. Suddenly, tears began to fall once more as she shook her head back and forth.

“Please,” she whispered. “Let’s leave.”

“No, Fiona, I’ve already told you. NO!”

He reached forward, shoving her further into the seat. She squealed and grabbed at him, but he pushed past her and reached down to the glove compartment. His fingers slipped under the flap—

—they were slipping into HER flaps just a few minutes ago—

—and he pulled hard. The glove compartment sprang open and the light inside illuminated the contents.

She screamed as soon as she saw the revolver.

He grabbed it with one hand and slammed the glove compartment with the other. Slowly, he climbed back into his seat, making sure the gun was in view at all times. Not that he had to bother, as Fiona’s eyes never left the gun for even a second.

She was shaking more now, cowering back in her seat, trying to get as far away from him as possible.

He reached forward, his free hand out, trying to calm her down, but she wouldn’t listen.

“No, no, no, no no no” she was saying over and over again.

“Hey,” he kept his voice calm and level, “don’t worry. Calm down. Hey, calm the fuck down!”

It didn’t work.

She was becoming hysterical.

“Don’t, please, just don’t hurt me. Please, no!”

“QUIET!” he yelled at the top of his voice.

That got her attention. She quickly shut up.

He waited a few seconds for Fiona to regain some control. He watched her, stared at her, counting to ten to give her time to get a grip.

“There’s no need to panic,” he finally said, making sure he sounded calm and level headed. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Please don’t,” she whispered.

“You’ve got nothing to fear,” he continued. “I guess I just have to prove something to you.”

He dropped his eyes from hers and opened the revolver.

Yep, full. Good.

“Just be a good girl,” he whispered. “And no one will get hurt, okay?” Fiona nodded her head as she began to chew her bottom lip.

Andrew smiled and leaned towards her. She still cowered in the seat, but he managed to kiss her hard on the lips anyway.

Her eyes never left his as he leaned back into his seat.

She smiled a nervous smile at him.

I’ll show her, he thought. Fucking bitch playing head games with me.

His finger curled around the cold, hard metal.

He smiled as he watched her.

Then he pulled hard and fast.

She screamed.

And he pushed open the door and climbed from the car.

Fiona’s scream cut off abruptly.

Andrew let go of the car door handle and bent down to look at her again.

“Don’t go anywhere,” he told her.

“What?” She looked surprised.

“I said, don’t go anywhere.”

“Where are you going?”

“To see if there really is someone out here,” Andrew replied.

Fiona’s face changed from surprise to terror. “No!”

“I’ll only be gone a minute,” he replied.

“No!” She climbed over into the driver’s seat and stared up at him. “Don’t go, don’t leave me here all alone.”

“You’ll be fine. Just lock all the doors. I’ll only be gone for a minute.”

“No, Andrew, please! It could be dangerous out there! He’ll get you!”

Andrew smiled down at her. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this, remember?” He pointed to the revolver.

But it wasn’t enough. Fiona was shaking again now, the tears beginning once more. “Please, Andy, let’s just leave here. Let’s go anywhere else and we’ll be safe and fine. Please!”

She was begging him.

She looked cute when she begged.

No way, sweetheart. You’ve played this hand and we’ll see it all the way through. I’ll prove to you no one’s out here and then I’ll come back and take what I deserve.

“It’ll be fine,” he said as he reached down and kissed her. “Back in a minute.”

He turned and walked away from her.

“No, Andy!” she called after him. “No, please! Don’t leave me here alone! I’ve got no protection! What if he comes for me while you’re gone? What if he kills me while you’re gone?”

Andrew stopped in his tracks and stared into the dark woods. He smiled. Gotta give her credit, she almost got me there!

He wiped the smile from his face, turned around and walked back to her.

“You’re right,” he said. “I should’ve thought of that.”

He held out the gun to her.

“Here, take it.”

“What?”

“Take it for protection. If he comes for you, you’ll have some protection. Just pull the trigger and I’ll come running.”