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miraculously healed themselves to start working.
    "Don't see anything," he whispered.
    "Maybe we should get going. The rain seems to have let up," I suggested. Jerky leaped over my shoulder into the backseat.
    A large rock hit the side of the driver's window, making us both shout a string of obscenities. The glass shattered, but didn't break apart. Leonard turned the key. Nothing. The look on his face revealed sheer terror.
    "Try it again," I hollered. Nothing.
    "You up for a little running?" Leonard asked with a heavy dose of pleading.
    Another rock slammed down on to the hood of the car, very close to the front windshield.
    Jerky hissed, jumping into my lap. I reached over, placed my hand on Leonard's fingers and turned the key. The engine started up immediately.
    "Okay…what the fu..?" Leonard asked incredulously. He looked at me as if I were a side dish that he hadn't ordered.
    "Put it in gear and get the hell out of here." More rocks pelted the car and I could see several large men approaching.
    Leonard punched it and the little Bug roared onto the freeway as one last rock found its mark, hitting the engine.
    "Crap. That hit didn't sound good," I commented looking out the back window.
    "At least we got away," he said as he looked over at me. "I'm beginning to think you have some special…um…powers.
    I frowned, rolled my eyes and tried to dismiss the whole business. However, in the back of my mind, something gnawed at my down-to-earth way of thinking. Okay, now there were two things that seemed out of the ordinary. The sudden, new-found sense of strength while pushing the car and now this little incident of the laying of my hand on Leonard's fingers to help start the vehicle. Dumb luck? That must be it. I couldn't have any superhuman powers. That's just nonsense.
    As we drove down the interstate away from our attackers, it wasn't long before the engine started to make noises as if it were fighting for its life.
    "That last rock must have done some damage to the engine. It probably won't be long before we are walking again. Unless, of course, you can lay your hands on it and do a miracle," Leonard said, snickering.
    "Surely, you jest," I replied.
    "Don't call me, Shirley," Leonard remarked.
    "Huh?"
    " Naked Gun ? Remember? Leslie Nielsen?" Leonard prompted.
    "Before my time I guess."
    For the next few minutes, I got the Cliff's notes version of the old movie from Leonard. Gradually, his recounting of the comedy was accompanied by the grinding of metal. The old VW Bug pitched forward violently a few times and like a dying patient with lung cancer, the rusty bucket of bolts ceased moving.
    "Rest in peace," I said as I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, it was nice while it lasted. Back to walking."
    As soon as I opened the door, Jerky dashed out into the wet grass. I looked over at Leonard. He was hunched over the steering wheel. "You all right?" I asked.
    "I'm tired of all this shit. I'm too old," he mumbled.
    "Yeah, I know what you mean. You should be enjoying your retirement at a nice golf course in Florida with plenty of warm sun, having a happy-hour cocktail about now."
    He nodded his head in agreement and smiled. "I was a horrible golfer, but you're right about the happy hour. It sounds wonderful. A good vodka tonic would taste heavenly about now."
    I got out of the car, reached into the back seat and grabbed my pack. Leonard opened his door and followed suit. He slammed his door and walked to the front. "Thanks for the ride, old girl."
    "Ditto," I said, walking over to Leonard. "Ready?"
    He just nodded. I put my arm on his shoulder and we both started walking down the interstate. The cold wind had softened to occasional swirls.
    Jerky was a few paces behind us. After a few minutes, I turned to see the big cat stop, and turn toward the old car. She hunched her back, raised her hairs and hissed. Something or someone was still following us.

Chapter 5
     
    A cold, misty rain returned, toying with us on and off as we walked