Alabama Island

Once the Suburban reached the roadway it pulled slowly up to the stop sign at Route 250 and once again sat idling its lights still off. Joel tried squinting his eyes tighter to see into the darkened side windows, but they were pitch black like a limousine he thought.What should we do Gina asked? Joel looked at her and it was obvious she was frightened. In fact he noticed everyone himself included seemed frightened. Terry was the only one who had brought a rifle into the station with him and Joel noticed it.Terry give me that he said motioning at the rifle.Be careful Joel Glenn said No telling what they're up to. I don't know if it's wise to go out there.Don't! Haley said turning to face Joel. She seemed on the verge of panic.Don't worry he said. I only want to show them we're armed... maybe they'll take off. Think they're armed Glenn? Joel asked.I don't know, but who knows how friggin' long they were sitting out there watching us if they'd wanted to shoot us they could have easily. The lights in here probably lit us up like a damn Christmas tree Glenn stated. I ain't so sure you should be going alone if you're going out there though. I'm going too. Terry and Dave followed them out the door.The four men advanced slowly toward the car in the pouring rain. The Suburban stayed put its engine softly idling and curls of white exhaust floating up through the sheets of rain. They stopped about ten feet from the still idling car and Joel stepped to the front of the small group with the rifle clutched in both hands. He didn't want to seem too threatening, but he wanted them to see the rifle.Hey you in the car! He shouted above the deafening roar of the rain. The taillights flashed briefly as if in answer and a cold chill crept up Joel's spine. He shuddered involuntarily. What the hell is with these guys he muttered to no one in particular.They are some kind of assholes all right Glenn whispered. Joel looked over and saw that they were all shaken. He tried again.Hey what's the problem?He had meant for the question to come out strong and loud, but it had not. Instead the words had seemed to choke up inside him and had sounded strangled when they had come out. The eerie feeling had gotten stronger and Joel noticed that he felt an almost panicky urge to run back towards the station.He looked at the others and noticed they seemed to be panicked as well. What the hell he wondered as he fought to control the panic. He found himself suddenly raising the rifle and aiming at the car.Don't shoot the bastard Glenn whispered.Don't intend to. I just... I...Just after he began to lower the rifle the Suburban's headlights suddenly flicked on and the rear tires spun on the slick pavement smoking and screaming as they clawed for purchase. The engine whined higher in pitch and the big Suburban seemed to jump out into the intersection. Joel watched as it skewed around sideways on the wet asphalt and roared off towards Webster. A passenger leaned out the window and aimed a rifle at them...