Hicks’s Spooky Tales
By Todd Hicks
Copyright by Todd Hicks in July 2017
About The Book
This book begins with a story of a kidnapped woman who must figure out how to escape before it’s too late. Other scary stories which are included feature a dangerous railroad fugitive and a terrorist.
You may be on the edge of your seat as you read these hair-raising tales. A few poems and a story on a clever fox are also featured.
The characters in this book are fictional. Any similarity between them and actual people is purely coincidental.
Christina Dime, a 35-year-old black woman, had a lot going for herself athletically. Able to bicycle, swim and run better than most women in her city of New York City, New York, she was favored to win her local triathlon. After riding her bicycle several miles on the road, she dropped it off at her apartment then went swimming at her nearby pool.
After swimming leisurely for ten minutes just for fun, it was time for her to put in her daily work of doing tedious laps for more than an hour. Being an endurance swimmer, she strictly trained for races that had a length of over 1000 meters.
Although she almost always had the proper form, she occasionally had to be corrected. Swimming as fast as she could over the remaining 200 meters, she finished her swim in remarkable time; therefore, she impressed her coach.
“Great job! Keep this up and you should win the race,” encouraged Ronald Denton.
“Thank you,” reciprocated Chris.
In a hurry to leave the recreation center, Ron put on his jacket.
Chris: “Aren’t you going to tag along for my run?”
Ron: “I can’t do it this time because I have to pick up my uncle from the airport soon. My assistant will accompany you instead.”
Fifteen minutes later, Chris parked outside of her running trail. Within two minutes, she began running. Donald Mathon, the assistant to Ron, was following Chris from 25 feet behind in a motor cart. Pleased with how Christina was doing, Don pulled out his cell phone and called her.
Chris: “Hi, Don. What’s up?”
Don: “Your form and pace are excellent. Keep up the great work.”
Chris: “I will and thank you.”
She continued to get her training in effectively. Over half an hour later, Don’s cart broke down. Next, he got out to see what was wrong. As Christina turned around to see if her assistant coach was behind her, she got a call from him.
Chris: “Is everything okay?”
Don: “No. My engine broke down and I’m calling for help. You’ll have to continue your run without me.”
Chris: “Of course. Thanks for being there for me.”
Don: “Don’t mention it.”
As Christina resumed running, she marveled at the fall colors of the tree leaves.
“These red and orange colors are so splendid,” she thought.
She wanted to continue gawking at her surroundings but knew she needed to focus on her running more. As she approached a fitness walker coming her way, she stopped and gave a warm greeting while smiling.
Chris: “Hi. I admire your stride.”
Walker: “Thank you.”
Chris: “You appear to be in tremendous shape. Do you walk a lot regularly?”
Walker: “I cover approximately five miles almost every day. About how many do you do?”
Chris: “I run over ten miles on a daily basis. I’m training for the local triathlon.”
Walker: “I hope you win it.”
Chris: “Thanks. I’ll let you go and get on with my training.”
After an exchange of goodbyes, the walker continued on her path and Chris resumed her run. As she logged a few more miles, she still felt very good physically.
“Ah, I’m getting such a strong euphoria,” she thought.
She kept going, thinking everything was great. Suddenly, she was grabbed by someone up to no good. As she started letting out a cry for help, she was warned.
“If you scream, I’ll kill you,” threatened Graeme Dillon while holding a knife to Christina’s throat.
Next, he blindfolded her, put a gag over her mouth and bound her wrists plus her ankles then took her to his car and put her in the trunk. As he drove away, his captive (Chris) felt powerless and in trouble. Thus, she became frightened. Wanting to draw attention for rescue purposes, she started kicking the trunk door.
“Doggone it. That chick could give me away. I better silence her,” fretted Graeme while pulling over.
Hearing the clanging, a fellow motorist pulled up, electronically lowered his passenger window and asked Graeme, “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. That sound must be coming from my engine,” Graeme assured.
“Do you need my help?”
“No thanks. I’ll take care of it myself.”
Soon after the other driver took off, Graeme drove to a secluded road, got out of the car, opened the trunk and tied Chris up from head to toe while warning her to stay still.