Real Life Dramas: Volume Two

By Darren G. Burton

There are no more gripping and engaging stories than those that are true....Real life encounters, situations and dramas that involve real people.

Real Life Dramas: Volume Two is a collection of seven factual accounts experienced by real people in authentic situations. These accounts have been related to the author in detail, who has then dramatised these actual events in story form.

Inside this book of short inspirational true stories:

•Hunted
•The Mysterious Cave
•Eye of the Storm
•Blizzard
•Treasure Trove
•Crash
•Shadows from the Past

Real life drama stories of tragedy, triumph and survival. Read them if you dare....

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Darren G. Burton
• Release date: May 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458146984

Darren G. Burton

I have been a writer for over 30 years. I've written numerous full length works of fiction and non-fiction, as well as many short stories and [e-mail]

Book preview

Foreword

The following stories are based on real life situations experienced by real people. The names of all those involved have been changed to protect their privacy. All contributors have been compensated for their generous input and the author extends his gratitude. Their real life accounts have been dramatized in story form to make them more readable and engaging.

Hunted

Ryan Cooper was in the middle of nowhere when his car decided to die. To add to the calamity, it was also the middle of the night.

Half an hour ago a red light had come on on the dashboard. At first it blinked intermittently, then stayed on. Not long after the vehicle lost all power and rolled to a stop on the side of the road. Ryan sat there trying to get it started again, but to no avail. The car was dead.

With a huge sigh he flung the door open and stepped out onto the dusty shoulder. He walked around to the front of the car and looked at the extremely dim headlights. They were a dull yellow rather than bright white and were fading rapidly as the life drained out of the battery. He reached back into the car then and switched them off. Instantly he was enveloped in blackness. The night was dark. As yet there was no moon, no nearby dwellings, no street lighting. The only source of late came from the distant stars, and they were way too far out in space to illuminate anything other than themselves.

Ryan kicked a rock and said, Fuck!

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, hit a button to light up the screen and searched for a signal. Nothing. Too far from any towers to get a reception.

Fuck! he repeated and kicked two rocks. One skidded off the side of his shoe and hit his car with a clunk and he almost swore a third time.

What to do? he thought, pacing back and forth.

He had been on his way to his parent’s place for an occasional visit. They lived several hundred miles away with most of that distance being open countryside. Having had to work back, he’d gotten away much later than he’d planned, but had been hoping to reach town before midnight. Now it appeared he wasn’t going to get there at all.

Ryan checked his watch by pressing a button on the side that activated its miniature light. It was after eleven now. He went round to the other side of the car and opened the glove compartment. He fished around inside for a bit, found what he was looking for and withdrew the flashlight. He flicked it on and a bright beam of white light cut a path through the blackness. That small burst of brightness instantly made him feel just a little bit better.

He was on a straight stretch of road. Ryan played the flashlight’s beam all around him. On either side of the road was long grass, beyond which was dense forest. He couldn’t see any dirt roads or gaps in the trees that may indicate a driveway to a property. There was nothing in all directions.

The last town he’d passed through was at least twenty minutes back by car. That would be a hell of a long walk. How far ahead the next town was, he wasn’t sure. Probably about the same distance from memory.

What to do?

He paced back and forth along the edge of the road like a caged animal, trying to figure a way out of his predicament. Should he start walking in the direction of the next town? Or wait where he was and hope that a vehicle came along soon? Worst case scenario he would have to sleep the night in his car.

Ryan flicked off the torch to conserve batteries and sat down in the driver’s seat. He closed his eyes and tried to relax, then snapped them wide open again when he felt like he might be on the verge of dozing off. He didn’t want to sleep just yet in case a vehicle came along. Wanted to stay awake for at least another hour or two. He got out of the car again and paced the roadway once more. The night was warm. Summer was on the way. There was no breeze. The night was dead still as well as pitch dark. If he walked more than five feet away from his car he could no longer see it. To add to the complete sense of isolation, he heard absolutely no sounds of any kind, not so much as even an insect buzzing in the scrub.

Half an hour later he sat back in the car again and flicked on the hazard lights. With battery power way low the lights blinked slowly, but they worked. He was bored and his eyes were getting heavy, so he decided he may as well sleep for a while. He just hoped the battery stayed alive long enough to keep the hazard lights going. If a car were to come by while he slept, he needed to be seen in the blackness. Although a passing vehicle’s headlights might illuminate the car, a motorist might just think it was an abandoned and empty car and not bother stopping to investigate.

After winding the seat back as far as it would go, Ryan crossed his arms over his chest, closed his eyes and relaxed. There was nothing more he could do right now except wait and hopefully get a few hours shut-eye. He would get a lift into town in the morning at the very least, he was sure. Ten minutes later he started to doze off.

In his sleep Ryan could hear a dull thud near his right ear. He tried to brush whatever was annoying him away with his hand, but the sound persisted. It not only persisted, but suddenly seemed to be ten times louder until it felt like it was reverberating all around inside his skull.

What the hell? he said and opened his eyes to the beam of a bright flashlight shining in them.

A gruff voice asked, Are you okay in there, Mister?

At first Ryan thought it was a cop. Couldn’t see anything around him with a torch glaring into his eyes. He turned his face away from the light and opened the car door. The stranger backed away so Ryan could get out. The light beam dropped to the bitumen and Ryan made out the shadowy figure of a tall, stocky man dressed in jeans and a red and black flannelette shirt. The man’s hair was the color of straw and looked to be the same texture. Probably hadn’t seen a comb in years. Glancing around, Ryan saw that the man was alone; and for the first time, noticed the shadowy outline of a tow truck parked a short distance away, its parking lights on.

My car broke down, he explained to the stranger, thinking it odd that the first vehicle to happen along in the middle of the night was a tow truck.

What happened?

It just lost all power and died.

Pop the hood, the man said with a nod towards Ryan’s car. Reaching inside the vehicle, Ryan pulled the lever that released the bonnet. The other man hoisted it up and shone the light around inside. Try kickin’ it over, he said loudly. Ryan did. Nothing happened. The bonnet slammed shut. Battery’s dead. I’d say your alternator gave up the ghost. I could jump-start ya, but you’d probably only get a little ways down the road before she died again.

Great, Ryan spat and kicked a stone.

Nothing open till mornin’. I could tow you back to my place so you can grab some kip, then take you into town when the mechanic opens?

Ryan considered this. He’d rather get a tow into town now and find somewhere there to spend the night. He shook his head. I don’t know. I’d rather go into town tonight. I’ll pay you.

The stranger held up a hand and shook his own head adamantly. Not driving into town this time of night. My place is closer. It’s either stay there or stay here on the side of the road. Your choice. The man turned away then and slowly started walking back to his truck.

Okay, Ryan called out after only a moment’s hesitation.

Ten minutes later and the man had Ryan’s car hooked up to the back of the tow truck. Then they were both inside the cab and the truck headed north.

I’m Ryan, Ryan offered to break the silence. He extended a hand. The stranger shook it, his hand gnarled and heavily calloused.

Ted, he grumped. The truck turned down a side road that was paved but far from smooth. Ted glanced at Ryan and smiled, exposing rotting teeth and gaps where several had possibly been knocked out in bar fights. You’re doing the right thing, you know. All sorts of strange types hang about these parts at night.

When Ted gave him a wink, an involuntary shudder ran down Ryan’s spine. He shook off the sudden feeling of foreboding. The man was helping him out, not threatening him.

The truck rambled on and on, driving for mile after mile through thick forest and scrub land. Where the hell does this guy live? Ryan wondered, but didn’t voice the question. By now they had to be a hell of a long way from the main road and still no house in sight. He’d seen nothing along the way in the tow truck’s headlights; no driveways, homes, letter boxes. Zilch. A three-quarter moon was rising in the east to the right, nudging just above the tree line that grew along the edge of a field and finally casting some degree of light on the area.

Ted suddenly announced, Not far now.

Thank God for that, Ryan almost blurted out.

Two minutes later and Ryan saw lights burning up ahead through the tree branches. They rounded a gentle bend and pulled up outside a two storey farm house made of weatherboards painted white. In the glare of the truck’s headlights Ryan could see that the paint was flaking badly in places and seriously needed to be redone. Something about the whole house in general looked like a fire waiting to happen; like one of those old wooden homes often seen ablaze on the evening news.

We’ll take you into town first thing in the mornin’, Ted said when they’d climbed down from the tow truck’s cab. Let’s try not and wake the wife when we go inside.

So how come you were out so late driving around? Ryan wanted to know as they entered the downstairs area of the house. He stepped into a tidy living room with two three-seater couches and a couple of armchairs. A large LCD TV angled out of the corner and was mounted on wall brackets. Ryan followed Ted into the adjoining kitchen where the man pulled two beers from the fridge, tossed one to Ryan and uncapped his own.

I was workin’ late, Ted explained. Was just on my way home when I spotted you broken down on the roadway there.

Ryan frowned, but didn’t voice what was on his mind. If the man had indeed been on his way home, then why had he been traveling in the wrong direction? He unscrewed the cap from his beer and took a long swallow. It was ice cold and felt good going down his rather parched throat. He immediately took another drink.

Ted asked, Where were you headed?

To my parent’s place in Mortville.

Still got a ways to go, Ted said with a nod. They know you were comin’?

Of course they did, Ryan said curtly, a little surprised by the question. He drank more beer and studied the man for a bit. So, what did you mean when you said strange people hang out around here?

Ted shrugged and looked at Ryan with steely blue eyes. Exactly that. This entire country is filled with riff-raff. Can’t be none too careful around these parts. Lucky I found ya. Wouldn’t wanna be stuck out there on the roadside all night. Not when it’s almost a full moon.

Talking about strange people, Ryan thought. I’m standing in the house of one right now. What was he expecting would come and get me? A fucking werewolf?

Ted drained his beer and placed the empty bottle on the kitchen bench. I’m off to bed. You can sleep on one of them couches over there. It’s a warm night. Ya won’t need a blanket. With those words the man disappeared up a carpeted staircase to the first floor.

Ryan stood there alone in the kitchen and slowly finished his beer. When he was done he dropped it in a garbage can beside the refrigerator, turned off the kitchen light and sprawled out on one of the two lounges. He kicked off his shoes and used a cushion as a pillow, finding it quite comfortable. However, sleep didn’t come easily. He lay there with his eyes closed for quite some time, mulling over his predicament and unable to shake a gnawing anxiety in the pit of his stomach. His instincts were telling him to flee, but he tried to ignore them. They seemed irrational. Besides, where was he going to go in the middle of the night? His car didn’t work, he was miles from the main road and even further from the nearest town. What was he going to do? Steal Ted’s tow truck?

With a shake of his head and his arms crossed over his chest, Ryan tried hard to brush all negative thoughts and feelings from his mind and get some rest. When he woke up in the morning he’d be able to take his car into town, get it repaired, then be on his way again. All would look much brighter with the rising sun.

Or so he thought.

* * *

Ryan awoke to voices in the kitchen and the aroma of sausages and eggs sizzling in a pan. He found his mouth watering as the haze of sleep dissipated and he sat up on the couch. Still somewhat in a sleepy stupor, he slipped his shoes back on, took a few deep breaths, rubbed the remnants of slumber from his eyes and got up.

In the kitchen he found Ted, a plump and rather rotund woman that he presumed to be Ted’s wife, and another man, tall and lanky with brown hair that was cropped short and thinning badly. The man turned when he heard Ryan enter the kitchen and fixed him with a hard gaze, appraising him with deep green eyes that held no hint of benevolence.

He’s alive, the new man said and managed a smile that was equally as gross as Ted’s. The teeth, what was left of them, were severely yellowed from heavy smoking of strong tobacco. The guy was dressed in black corduroy pants that looked like they hadn’t seen the inside of a washing machine for some months. His T-shirt was also black, equally as grimy and had a small hole on the left shoulder.

You’re always picking up strays, Ted, the wife said without so much as even glancing in Ryan’s direction. I suppose I have to feed it too?

He’ll need his energy, said Ted.

Ryan felt like he was un the twilight zone. All three were talking about him as if he wasn’t actually present.

When can we go into town? Ryan asked, looking directly at Ted.

Impatient cunt, the other man said, his lip curling in a viscous snarl like a rabid, feral dog.

Ryan’s blood boiled and he felt like smashing the guy hard in his ugly face.

Ted laughed and lightened the mood somewhat. Soon. Let’s eat first. Can’t start the day on an empty belly.

Ryan was quiet while the wife served up eggs, sausages and toast. The last item added to his plate was a slice of blackened fried tomato. He found himself checking his cutlery to make certain it was clean before sitting down at the table to eat. Ted sat opposite him and the new man to Ryan’s right. Once breakfast had been served, the wife waddled up the staircase with her own plate of food, leaving the men in peace.

My rude friend here is Bryce, Ted said and poked a fork in the man’s direction. Bryce. Ryan.

Bryce grunted while chewing a mouthful of sausage and cast a furtive glance at Ryan while he hacked off some fried egg and toast with his knife and fork. Ryan was surprised Bryce even knew how to use utensils. He just nodded, not really interested in engaging in conversation. He just wanted to finish breakfast and get the hell out of there. His unease of last night had returned, only it was much stronger now. Out of politeness he forced himself to eat, though his stomach felt too churned to accept the food. What had Ted meant when he’d said he’d need his energy? Energy for what? Driving into town and getting his car fixed? Something wasn’t quite right about all this. Maybe he was just being paranoid? But no, he wasn’t naturally a paranoid sort of person. Something was amiss. He just hoped his instincts were wrong for a change.

They very rarely were.

When breakfast was done, Ted collected up the dirty plates and cutlery and dumped them noisily into the metal sink. He didn’t bother rinsing them. A set of keys were snatched off a hook on the wall. Ted glanced at Bryce, then at Ryan.

Let’s go, he announced.

Finally, Ryan mumbled under his breath as he followed the others outside.

The sky was heavily overcast and leaden, threatening rain at some stage throughout the day. Ryan couldn’t even seen a hint of the sun through the cloud. His car was still hooked up to the back of the tow truck. Bryce leapt up onto the back of the truck while Ted got in behind the wheel. Ryan hesitated a moment, then climbed up into the passenger seat. He wondered why Bryce was coming along for the ride. The engine fired to life with a powerful roar. Ted engaged the clutch and the truck lurched forward. To Ryan’s