While She Was Out
by Ed Bryant[ Thriller/Suspense ]
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 is the short story that is the basis for the 2008 film starring Kim Basinger and Lukas Haas.
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."