Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman Read Free Page B

in five minutes, but I felt my car jerk. I eased up on the gas, but it jerked again, this time losing power. I panicked and imagined my car dying in the middle of the road so I pulled the car onto the shoulder. To my dismay, the engine sputtered and quit.
    “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered.
    I tried the starter again. The engine revved to life, sputtered and died. Dread spread throughout my body as I turned the key again, listening to it moan over and over without catching. I gave up and rested my head on the steering wheel. There was no use in trying anymore—I was pretty sure I’d run out of gas, again.
    Sometime ago, my car decided to permanently display it had a ¼ tank of gas. To keep track of the mileage, I pressed the odometer counter each time I filled up the tank, so I would know when to refill. But the last time I got gas, a really cute guy in a BMW distracted me and I forgot to press the button. After I realized my mistake, I decided to keep track mentally. I should’ve known the flaw in my plan, since math and I didn’t get along.
    Luke kept making excuses when I asked him to fix the stupid thing. And for me to spend my hard earned money on someone else's car when I was trying to save money for my own was counterproductive. Shame on me.
    I dug in my purse and found my cell phone.
    Dad is going to kill me.
    This wasn’t the first time I’d run out of gas and I’d promised it would never happen again. This would be the third time I’d broken that promise.
    The phone was off.
    Oh no . . .
    I pressed the “on” switch and it flashed “low battery”.
    My battery is dead too?
    I dialed my home number.
    Please have enough power for just one phone call.
    Before it started ringing, the phone died.
    “No way,” I muttered under my breath.
    I flipped the phone shut and tossed it onto the passenger seat. Through the front windshield I watched the headlights of approaching cars and suddenly felt vulnerable. Between each passing car, the road became dark—scary dark.
    I had two choices. Either take the main road home or the short cut through the woods.
    The woods? Was I that desperate?
    I shivered. I loved hiking through the woods during the day, but at night the trees took on a life of their own and creeped me out.
    Then I imagined the alternative. The road, dark and curvy, led to Ernie’s Pizza where I could call my dad. But then I feared some weirdo would pull over and offer me a ride so he could kidnap me. I shivered again.
    Slumping back into my seat, I sighed and made a mental note: after I survived this, I was going to buy a cell phone charger for my car.
    Waiting in my car was definitely out, so I let fate decide. Heads I walk on the road and tails—the woods. As the coin spun in the air, I held my breath and waited with my palm open to catch it. But like a sick joke, the coin bounced out of my outstretched hand and fell onto the dark floor.
    Terrified, I decided it would be safer to cut through the woods. I didn’t have much with me besides my coat and purse. I pilfered through my purse, removed the necessary items—my wallet, keys and cell phone and tucked them into my coat pockets. I didn’t want to be hampered by carrying anything extra, so I locked the empty purse in the trunk.
    I looked both ways, took a deep breath and crossed the road towards the tree line, praying I’d make it home safe and sound.
    As soon as I entered the path beneath the huge redwoods, I could no longer hear the traffic up on the road. My heart beat a little irregularly as my eyes adjusted to the dimly - lit trail before me.
    Silvery patches of moonlight filtered through the vast expanse of branches overhead and splashed light onto the trail. It was actually a nice evening for a stroll. The cool air smelled of dew as the tree leaves rustled in the evening breeze.
    Darkness enveloped me as I forged deeper into the woods. I tried to keep my thoughts light and happy as my heart pumped a little faster. The