Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Callie felt a surge of fear and couldn’t muster the courage to respond. All she wanted was to hold her phone and feel safe. She wished her dad would come and meet her.
Taking a deep breath, she tried again, “Sir, could you please stop the car for a moment? I’ll cover the fine. I’m afraid my dad will call, and I won’t be able to answer. He might get worried.”
The driver should have stopped after such a plea, but instead, he looked even more irritated. “If you pay the fine, what about the points? Do you think you can help me with those? Losing points is a big hassle.”
“I…” Callie tried to say something, but the driver interrupted impatiently. “I only have one point left. If I lose it, I’ll have to retake the test. I’ve worked hard, paid so many fines, and the cost of retaking the test is thousands of dollars. Can you cover that for me?”
Callie was speechless. She didn’t want to lose thousands of dollars. “Then, please stop the car when it’s convenient,” she compromised and said.
While they drove, Callie’s phone rang once from under the seat, but she couldn’t answer it. Still, it was a small relief knowing someone was trying to reach her. The driver, aware that someone was waiting for her, should act more reasonably, she hoped.
As they continued, Callie noticed the driver had turned off the navigation on his phone. Alarm bells rang in her mind. “Sir, is this the correct route?” she asked, trying to sound calm.
“Of course,” the driver replied curtly.
“I don’t think this is the right place,” Callie commented, recalling the map on her phone. This area was far more deserted than she remembered, with no other cars around. It was eerie.
“Sir, could you please turn on the navigation I sent you? I want to check the route,” Callie said quickly.
“You’re really bothering me!” The driver suddenly glared at her. “I can drive this route with my eyes closed. My house is nearby, and I know it a hundred times better than you do. I know where the fastest route is.”
Callie wanted to argue, but the driver’s fierce expression silenced her. She sat quietly, praying the driver wasn’t a bad person and that she would see her dad soon.
Despite the driver’s assurances, the surroundings made Callie increasingly uneasy. Her dad wouldn’t have chosen such a deserted place, would he? He knew she was timid and would never want her to feel this scared.
After a while, the driver finally pulled over. “Miss, aren’t you going to get your phone?” he asked.
Callie noticed he was still staring at her in a way that made her uncomfortable. “Sir, could you please help me pick it up?” she asked nervously.
“Help you pick it up?” The driver seemed to understand her reluctance and nodded. “Okay.” He bent down, seemingly trying to reach under the seat. After a moment, he straightened up. “Sorry, miss, my arms are too thick. I can’t reach your phone. You’ll have to get it yourself.”
Just then, Callie’s phone rang again, likely her dad calling. She had no choice but to force herself out of the car.
As Callie approached the front of the car, the driver remained seated, showing no sign of moving. She asked softly, “Sir, could you please move a bit?”
The driver retorted mockingly, “Move? Where should I move to? There’s plenty of space for you to manage.”
Unbeknownst to Callie, her delicate and innocent appearance kindled something dark within the driver. He had a preference for fragile, gentle girls, and Callie’s soft, trembling voice unknowingly excited him.
Callie was unaware of his thoughts. All she knew was that her phone was still ringing under the seat, possibly her anxious father trying to contact her. Frightened, Callie wanted nothing more than to retrieve her phone and contact her father. Finding no other way, she crouched beside the car and reached under the seat, but she couldn’t quite grasp her phone.
As she hesitated, the driver coldly instructed, “You need to come inside to get it. You won’t reach it from out there.”
Fearful, Callie knew she couldn’t enter the car, as she would have to kneel uncomfortably close to him. Even with boundless courage, she wouldn’t dare.
Sensing danger from the driver, she murmured, “I’d rather wait for my dad where there’s more light.” Then, she rose, turning to escape.
Suddenly, her hair was yanked, and the driver pulled her back into the car, cursing, “You little brat! How dare you defy me when I tell you to come in?”
The pain was sharp, and Callie cried out, “Please don’t do this! My dad is waiting for me. Please…”
“You’ll never find your dad here,” the driver laughed menacingly. “This isn’t the right road. You’ll never find him here. But there’s a daddy right here for you. Call me daddy, and I won’t hurt you.”
Tears streamed down Callie’s face as she pleaded, “Please, you’re committing a crime. Please, you can’t… Let me go. I promise I won’t tell anyone,” she begged desperately.
“Crime?” The driver scoffed. “A pretty thing like you out so late is practically an invitation.” He leaned closer, his breath hot against her skin. “Whether it’s a crime or not, I’m going to enjoy myself. Right?”
The driver spoke truthfully about his nearby residence, feeling assured that no one would interrupt his despicable deeds in this secluded area. Callie, weakened, found her clothes being ripped by the driver as she persisted in pleading. “Please, let me go. I won’t say anything, I swear…”
“Release you? Not until I’ve had my fill,” the driver declared, securing the car doors and reclining the seat for easier access.
Tears streaked Callie’s face, her expression filled with despair. Just as the driver was poised to assault Callie, a blinding light suddenly flooded the car, illuminating the scene within. Stunned, the driver froze as another car appeared on the usually deserted country road.
Having parked to the side, the driver expected any passing vehicle to simply drive past. However, the headlights of this black car remained fixed on him, not budging. About to curse, the driver watched in disbelief as the black car suddenly sped toward his vehicle. “Damn it!” he snapped, panicking as he abandoned Callie and scrambled out of the car.
Fortunately, the black car didn’t collide with his vehicle but screeched to a halt, mere inches away. The driver, still in shock, witnessed a woman stepping out of the black car.
Rushing to the white car where Callie was, Nicole discovered Callie, trembling and partially undressed, sobbing uncontrollably in the driver’s seat. Nicole swiftly shielded Callie with her jacket. “Come with me, quickly.”
Initially hesitant, uncertain if Callie’s father was present, Nicole contemplated calling Ethel. However, witnessing the car’s tremors and hearing Callie’s cries, she knew something was amiss.
Nicole’s instincts screamed danger, prompting her to flick on her car’s headlights, casting a bright light on the scene. Spotting the driver preparing to commit his heinous act, she wasted no time. Without hesitation, she started her car and charged straight toward the white vehicle.
Slamming on the brakes, Nicole brought the car to a sudden halt, narrowly avoiding a collision as she watched the driver tumble out of his car. Her intention was to startle him, not collide with him. All she needed was to scare him off.
As Nicole rushed to aid Callie, the fallen driver scrambled to his feet. “No shit! Another whore? Two of you will be a blast.”
Reaching for Nicole’s hair, the driver aimed to throw her to the ground and incapacitate her. But Nicole was prepared. Swiftly turning, she sprayed pepper spray directly into his eyes.
Screaming in agony, tears streaming down his face, the driver cursed, “You have no clue who you’re messing with! I’ll end you!”
Unfazed, Nicole smirked. “Why don’t you try getting back on your feet first?”
Nicole wrapped up her words and tugged on Callie’s arm to get her moving. After all, Nicole wasn’t very strong to begin with, and Callie’s legs felt like jelly as she trembled with fear. The situation could get worse if the driver had accomplices nearby.
“Can you walk?” Nicole whispered, noticing that Callie was still glued to her seat and not budging.
Callie was already fragile, having never been in a situation like this before. She barely left her home, and now she was completely terrified. Struggling to get her words out, she said, “I… I… I don’t know…” This was all new to her, and she burst into tears.
Nicole realized she had to take action, so she lifted Callie onto her back. Just as she did, Callie started sobbing harder and said, “My phone… My phone is under the driver’s seat…”
Nicole had to set Callie down and head over to the driver’s seat to search for the phone. But the driver, despite his aching eyes, tried to grab Nicole’s hand to make things difficult for her.
Nicole immediately caught on, yanked the driver out of the car, and tossed him to the ground. With a loud thud, the driver hit the ground and started yelling obscenities. “Bitch, you almost killed me, you bitch…”
Nicole paid no attention to his ranting. She crouched down, found Callie’s phone, and walked away with it, making sure to grab the driver’s car keys as well. The driver lay on the ground, rubbing his eyes and swearing, “You bitch, just wait! I’ll get you for this!”
Nicole stepped up and gave him two hard kicks to the stomach. This made him howl in pain and kept him down for a while. With a cold laugh, she said, “I’ve already called the cops. You wait here and explain everything to them!”
Then, Nicole hoisted Callie onto her back again and headed toward her own car. Nearby, police sirens began to wail. The driver, despite his pain, attempted to flee but couldn’t move. He silently cursed, realizing that Nicole’s kicks were too brutal. He couldn’t tell if he was seriously injured. With no other option, he lay there, waiting for the police to arrive and take him away.
As soon as Callie settled into the car, she burst into loud sobs. Shaking all over, she pleaded, “Miss, please take me to my dad…”
Callie was not clear-minded and hadn’t seen Nicole in years. She didn’t remember Nicole well but hadn’t forgotten her entirely. She assumed Nicole was just a brave passerby helping out.
Nicole asked calmly, “Where is your dad?”
Callie gave Nicole the location, and Nicole pulled out her phone, claiming she needed navigation since she wasn’t familiar with the area.
In reality, Nicole was sending a message to Ethel. After sending the message, Nicole turned on the GPS and started driving toward the given address.
As they drove, Callie remained terrified and tried to turn on her phone to call her dad, but it wouldn’t work. It seemed to be broken. Panicked, she asked, “Miss, can I borrow your phone to make a call?”
Nicole handed her the phone and said, “Sure, go ahead.”
Callie dialed a number, but there was no answer on the first try. She quickly sent a text message, and the recipient responded right away.
“Callie, what’s the matter?” Brett’s worried voice came through.
“Dad, I ran into a bad person…” Callie said, her voice trembling.
“A bad person? What did the person do to you? Where are you now?” Brett asked anxiously.
Callie reassured him, “I’m okay, I’m not hurt. A lady who was passing by saved me, and she’s bringing me to you now.”
Brett sounded doubtful. “Who is she?”
Callie didn’t expect her dad to care about this detail. She glanced at Nicole and said, “A nice lady. She even called the police to help.”
Brett, being older and naturally more cautious, asked skeptically, “Callie, are you really okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m not hurt, all thanks to her arriving just in time,” Callie was immensely grateful to Nicole and saw her as a hero now.
“Alright, be careful on your way,” Brett said nothing more and ended the call.
Nicole felt a wave of relief wash over her, knowing Brett was in Ardlens and she’d see him soon. Callie, now calmer, managed to start a conversation with Nicole. “Miss, how did you end up there? It’s such a deserted place, and you’re really brave.”
Nicole simply replied that she was passing by and didn’t share more. Facing such an innocent Callie, Nicole felt a pang of guilt and found herself at a loss for words. Nicole recalled how much Callie adored her as a child.
Callie used to cling to her, and Nicole always made time to visit. However, as school took over Nicole’s time, their contact became less frequent. Also, Callie wasn’t being treated in a hospital in Ardlens then, so Nicole only saw Callie during Christmas.
Technically, Callie should have recognized Nicole, but the shock and the dim light in the car probably kept her from realizing who Nicole was. Nicole was thankful that Callie was in the back seat, making it harder for her to be recognized.
If Callie had recognized her, Nicole wouldn’t have known what to say. Even though she felt guilty for using Callie, she had no regrets.
Nicole was desperate to uncover the truth about what the last person to see her dad before he died had witnessed and why he had vanished in Ardlens. She needed to know the truth by all means.
Callie gazed at Nicole’s reflection in the car window and suddenly asked, “Miss, what’s your name?”
Nicole’s hand trembled slightly on the steering wheel as she replied, “My name is Evita.”