Stacie stays put..for the moment

Stacie decides to wait, out of sight, and see who it is heading towards her on the path. 'Better safe than sorry!' she tells herself, and slinks around the tall tree's trunk, away from the advancing beam of the flashlight.

The next seconds seem like long minutes to the teen as she waits for the stranger to come by her on the path. A flash of lightning, followed closely by a loud clap of thunder, sends further chills down the volleyball captain's spine as she leans against the tree. The truism about not being under trees during a thunderstorm flashes through her mind.

The charged ions let loose a torrent of rain as well, the branches above unable to offer any more protection. The rain pours down on Stacie, pasting her hair to her head, her tee clinging transparently to her in it's soaked state. Cool water also runs down into her opened shorts, sending more shivers through the teen.

Even more **** for an end to this night, Stacie peers out from behind the trunk, hoping for a kindly person to appear and take her from this awful place.

The beam of light is much closer now, but only serves to blind her from seeing who might be behind it. It looks like she'll have to wait until they are going past her to get the best look.

Stacie pokes her head out again. She is finally able to make out who holds the flashlight.

Is it: A kindly old lady walking her dog? A police officer in a black poncho? Someone else?