Geo in Disguise

Geo in Disguise on sale now at Wicked Ink Press

Excerpt

He shivered slightly. The light coat he wore was not heavy enough for the mountains though there was no snow on the ground. The late afternoon sun was sinking fast. Soon it would be dark and the temperature would drop even more. “So what do you do now Ryan? It would be impossible to pretend to just bump into her out here.” That’s what he’d intended to do if she lived in town in an apartment. He was going to pretend he was looking for a friend and just happened to see her.

That certainly wouldn’t work out here. Several times, he turned to head back to his car only to turn once more and study the clearing with the small cabin in the center. Since he’d been here he’d seen no activity outside or inside through the open curtains. He was certain this had to have been her destination though because it was the only place the road led. There was a two-car garage so her car was doubtless inside.

Still debating his next move, he stood in the darkness hidden behind a tree and observed the cabin. As darkness had fallen, no lights had come on. Not even the chirping of birds or the noise of insects disturbed the absolute silence that had descended on the area. Surprise jolted through him when a soft melodious female voice asked.

“Are you spying on me, Ryan? What do you want? Why are you following me Ryan?”

“I…Um…” He started to turn but her words stopped him.

“No Ryan just stay as you are until you answer some of my questions.”

“You know my name but I don’t know yours. Who are you?”

“Who do you think I am?”

“The woman from my microbiology class but I don’t know your name.”

“I could be her. So, I’ll ask again. Why are you following me? Maybe I should call the cops and tell them you’re stalking me.”

“I don’t have a good answer to why I’m following you. Just that I want to get to know that woman better. Honest I don’t mean any harm.”

“That’s good because I’ll tell you right now I can…defend myself very well. So what should I do about you?”

“Well you could tell me your name. Maybe invite me in for a beer or something.”

She chuckled. “Yeah… I guess I could do that. Should I?”

“Well from my standpoint I’d rather you do that than call the cops. If you’re the woman from school, I’d like to know you better. I’ve tried to meet you at school but you always seem to disappear before I can talk to you.”

 “I’m a private person. Why do you wish to know me Ryan?”

“I can’t explain it really. I seem to be drawn to you. I find you attractive. Pretty.”

This time she laughed louder. “You don’t have good answers and you can’t explain. You aren’t doing very well answering my questions. Then you tell me that you find me pretty even with the clothes I wear and those glasses?”

“Well…Yes.”

This time when she spoke her voice sounded like it was right behind him. If fact he could feel her breath tickle the back of his neck. How the hell can she move so quiet?

“Okay Ryan. You’ve convinced me. Go to my front door. It’s unlocked. I’ll be right behind you. No tricks. I have a gun.”

He stepped into the darkened room, which became brightly illuminated when she flipped a switch behind him.

“I don’t have beer. Will tea be okay?”

“That’s fine.”

“Then take a seat on the couch. I’ll be right back.”

Still blinking in the brightness, he turned to look at her but she was already gone into the…he guessed kitchen. Damn she moves fast and silent. While he waited he looked at the room. The dark wood coffee table in front of him had an arrangement of flowers in a vase. Across the room in front of him was a stone fireplace. On each side of the couch were large overstuffed chairs an off white in color matching the couch. Nature scene pictures hung on all four walls. In addition to the door to the kitchen behind him two more lead from the room along with an open doorway. The wood floor shined and the rest of the room was meticulously clean and neat. He didn’t even know she’d returned until she spoke from right beside him.

“Here’s your tea.”

He jerked his head to the side to face her and his breath caught in his throat.

“Georgiana.”

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“My name is Georgiana. Although most of my…friends call me Geo,” she repeated.

Thanks for reading G.E. Stills