The Trap

by Catherine Ryan Howard

if she steps back now, pushes the passenger door closed and says, ‘Thanks, but I think I’ll walk,’ she may as well say, ‘Thanks for your kindness, but I think you might be a monster so please leave me alone.’ And if he is a monster, then he won’t have to pretend not to be any more, and she won’t be able to outrun him, not out here, not in these shoes – and where is there to run to? And if he isn’t a monster, well, then … It’s perfectly safe to get in the car. She gets in the car.