While She Was Out

By Ed Bryant

On a casual errand, a woman is forced to fight for her life when she is attacked by a group of relentless and evil strangers. Going beyond the pale, Ed Bryant’s short story is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that is sure to make you think twice about your next trip to the mall. This story is the basis for the 2008 film by the same name, starring Kim Basinger and Lukas Haas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Media
• Release date: May 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781497635388

Ed Bryant

Ed Bryant is a Nebula Award–winning fantasy and science fiction writer and founder of the Northern Colorado Writers Workshop.

Book preview

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While She Was Out

Ed Bryant

This is, of course, for two special people in particular, editors Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Ed Gorman. Kris made sure people read While She Was Out in the first place; Ed ensured they’d read it ever since.

Contents

While She Was Out

Afterword: While I Was Out

While She Was Out

It was what her husband said then that was the last straw.

Christ, muttered Kenneth disgustedly from the family room. He grasped a Bud longneck in one red-knuckled hand, the cable remote tight in the other. This was the time of night when he generally fell into the largest number of stereotypes. I swear to God you’re on the rag three weeks out of every month. PMS, my ass.

Della Myers deliberately bit down on what she wanted to answer. PMS, she thought. That’s what the twins’ teacher had called it last week over coffee after the parent-teacher conference Kenneth had skipped. Pre-holiday syndrome. It took a genuine effort not to pick up the cordless Northwestern Bell phone and brain Kenneth with one savage, cathartic swipe. I’m going out.

So? said her husband. This is Thursday. Can’t be the auto mechanics made simple for wusses. Self defense? He shook his head. That’s every other Tuesday. Something new, honey? Maybe a therapy group?

I’m going to Southeast Plaza. I need to pick up some things.

Get the extra-absorbent ones, said her husband. He grinned and thumbed up the volume. ESPN was bringing in wide shots of something that looked vaguely like group tennis from some sweaty-looking third- world country.

Wrapping paper, she said. I’m getting some gift-wrap and ribbon. Were there fourth-world countries? she wondered. Would

Reviews for While She Was Out

[karensiddall · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Short, exciting 0-to-60 story that will surprise and entertain!A woman goes to the mall one cold, slushy night before Christmas to pick up some last-minute wrapping paper and walks straight into a nightmare. She encounters a gang of thugs in the parking lot who are on the lam and takes umbrage at her attitude about their parking. The confrontation quickly escalates to murder, and the woman must run for her life and try to outwit her pursuers, alone in the rural darkness and frigid isolation.While She Was Out really was a heart-pounding, heart-STOPPING tale, and I understand why it was developed into a feature film. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was blown away by its surprising twists and turns. Violent and frightening!