Monday, March 24, 2014

Road Block

      He was terrified of small spaces and she knew it.  However, there wasn't much Laurel Jackson didn't know about him.  Christopher Collins had been an old friend of hers since childhood.  He and she shared some great memories while playing in the neighborhood.  Christopher was fun-loving and often went along with the fiery girl in his neighborhood.  Sometimes her courage got them into trouble, but Laurel could always get them out of the situation.  However, the two friends eventually grew up.  Both of them had somehow split apart along the path and never came back.  That all changed when 21-year-old Laurel heard that Christopher was leaving for a flat, deserted moor miles away.  His love of open spaces had influenced this decision, but his home would then be too far away from her.  Laurel didn't want to live out in the middle of nowhere; she had grown up in a rich life and wasn't quite willing to leave it all behind for a house in the country with nothing.  All she knew was that she couldn't let him leave; though she didn't know how to do it.
      Laurel sneaked towards her own house.  She had to get a few things to prevent Christopher from leaving, but she didn't want anyone to know about it.  She pulled out a light and sent a signal across the lawn.  Of course, she had hired someone else to retrieve the items; she tended to be a bit on the lazy side and others were more experienced at stealth.
      A flicker of movement interrupted the quiet of the garden.  Laurel blinked.  Up till now, she hadn't even seen any sign of the hired thief.  Nothing else moved for about half an hour, and then Laurel saw the man bringing the desired things to her.
     "Here's your money, sir," she stated, giving the thief his pay.  He nodded and Laurel searched to make sure she had everything she needed:  a bucket and a bag of explosives.  She never did ask why her parents owned such things, only if they were safe; her parents replied by telling her not to mess with them.
      Laurel mounted her white stallion and rode to the site where she was going to plant the explosion.  It was in the mountains by the moor.  She figured that if Christopher couldn't get to his home, he wouldn't be able to leave... at least temporarily.
      Once all was in order, Laurel and her horse galloped away as fast as they could... neither of them wanted to be there when the thing went off.
      A loud boom exploded down the trail and the town looked up, startled.  Christopher Collins had been packing his luggage into the carriage, but he instantly stopped to watch.  Laurel casually walked up to him.
      "So... if the road is unsafe... does that mean you'll stay?" she asked, hoping to cajole him without sounding suspicious.  Christopher gave her a curious glance, then shrugged.
      "It depends," he replied, watching her reaction, "if I can find more reasons to stay here."  It was a broad statement, but Laurel felt her heart glimmer with hope.
      "Well...," she began with a smile.
      "Did you set off the explosion, Miss Laurel Jackson?" he asked, humor dancing in his eyes.
      "I--you have no right to frame me...I-I was...," Laurel stuttered, feeling her tongue incapable of words.
      "Laurel.  I've known you for years.  I know it was you," Christopher said, laughing.  "Does this mean you want me to stay?"
      Laurel's face lit up in delight and she nodded speechlessly.
      "Then I am unable to resist staying," Christopher said.  "Mrs. Collins," he added mischievously.
      "Do you mean--!"
      "Only if you say yes."
      "Yes!!"

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