Sunshine Valley

Instead of answering the daily prompt with personal stuff; I’m gonna work the prompt into my story. Hope you enjoy.

Hole in the forest

     Just across the bridge leading out of Sunshine Valley, when Dillon first became sheriff, he cleared out a spot in the trees just big enough to hide his suv. The road was straight for a mile before you got to the bridge. Folks liked to open up their engines or drag race in the spot. He decided he’d have a little fun of his own. A spot to lay in wait. Folks knew that an officer could be sitting there but they did their law breakin’ anyway. His mission was to bring some fun to this job. Even if it was personal.

     Evie had told him she was going to Perkinsville. Offered to pick anything up for him that he needed before those -5 temps started rolling in. He smiled thinking about her mouth dropping open as ‘polar vortex’ left his lips. She didn’t half believe it but Dillon encouraged her to be prepared. There was so much he wanted to say about ‘pick up anything he needed’. So many comments. But he kept silent. 

     “Hey sheriff,” squawked over the c.b.. It was Martha, the day time dispatcher.

     “Yelp.”

     “Whur u at?”

     “Spot.”

     “Good. This might be a prank. You said to let u know ‘bout anything. We keep gitin’ a dropped call off Lonely Road. Caller just keeps calling. Like it’s on repeat for sumin’. Sounded like a lady yelled, “Jesus wept.” Anyone passed you yet?”

     Dillon heart sank. A Bible verse. ‘God, please don’t let it be Evie’. He looked down the road. A reflection caught his eye. “Sit tight.” Pulling out a pair of binoculars, he saw what he thought was Evie’s car, weaving all over the road. A big black menacing suv was trying to run her over. It might have even hit her a couple times. 

     He picked up the c.b. receiver, “send in the calvary.”

     “Yes sheriff.”

     He started his suv, put it in drive and waited. 

     Evie didn’t know about ‘the spot’. It was her plan to get as close to the bridge as possible (without hitting it) maybe she could cause the suv to wreck? This plan had to work. She was still miles from Sunshine Valley. There was no way of knowing if any of her calls made it through. 

     Despite her best efforts, she hit the bridge. Bounced to the middle hitting the opposite site before turning sideways. 

     As she passed, Dillon floored his suv, lurching forward out of the hole. He hit the black suv at the passenger side rear door. It spun around, hitting him. Forcing his suv into a tree and knocking him out. 

     “Sheriff?!” He was being pulled out of his suv by Bradley. The ability to stand had been taken away from him by a throbbing head. Bradley tried the best he could to cushion the sheriffs fall. 

     Dillon looked toward the bridge. At first all he saw was blobs. One blob was Evie’s car. Lights flashed from ambulances and deputy vehicles. Evie came into focus. 

     Bradley realized where Dillon was looking. “She’s banged up like you but okay.” Dillon struggled to his feet. “The driver of the suv is gone. We have the hospital on alert for any randos.”

    “Go over it with a fine tooth comb. Get boats in the water and a 5 mile parameter, both sides of the lake.” Dillon ordered.

Sunshine Valley