Blind Target

Chuck has us starting this week's story with a knock at the door. It took me a bit to sort out how to get my story onto the screen - I knew what I wanted to write; but the way it was getting there was going to be difficult. 

Enjoy.

It didn’t take long for Lisa to get to the door, “I’m coming! Hang on!” she walked up to it with confidence – even though she hated receiving visitors – and opened it as much as the chain would allow, “Hello?”

“Hello Miss, we were wondering if you were interested in having a Foxtel connection?” a young man said.

“No thank you, I can’t afford that.” She said and closed the door, sliding the deadbolt across. She stood there for a moment, relieved she didn’t have to talk to them too long; yes, she knew there was another one there.

“Fuckin’ bitch didn’t let me say much.” The first one who spoke said.

“Hey, some of them are like that. They know what they want in life and Foxtel television isn’t part of their lives.” The other said, “Let’s just move onto the next person.” They moved away, but not before the second person commented, “And if you’re going to take everything personally, you’re not the person for this job.”

A few days later, something bashed onto her front door and Lisa’s dog barked, but Thunder didn’t leave her side until she urged him to stand up and check it out with her.

It was brick.

Puzzled, she picked it up and threw it to one side; out of the way of the path; meanwhile, Thunder stood in the doorway of the house.

From across the road, the young man who had knocked on Lisa’s door trying to get her to buy Foxtel – and took it personally – was watching. He noticed something strange about her: she didn’t watch where she threw the brick and she was slow going back into the house.

“She’s blind.”

“So, how has your week been, sis?” Courtney asked as she unpacked the groceries on the counter of Lisa’s kitchen.

“Not bad.” She smiled, “We had Foxtel people come around and try to push it onto me and the neighbours.”

Mark cleared his throat from the kitchen table, “Are you sure?”

“Yes… oh… that’s right, you work for that company.”

“We’re not door-knocking anymore around here. That stopped six months ago.” He replied, “I’ll call the police and let them know.” And walked into the hall to use his mobile.

“Thank you. When you lose your sight, you lose track of time.” She said.

“And what’s that brick next to your door?” Courtney asked.

“Somebody threw it at my door the other day.” She said, “Thunder barked but I think it was because the sound scared him more than anything else. But when I tossed it to one side, he was really alert in the doorway.”

Mark came back into the room, “Yeah, they’ve had six or seven break-ins around here in the last week – all people who have disabilities and all people who said no to the Foxtel connection.” He sighed, giving his wife a concerned look, then looked over at his sister-in-law, “Lisa, I don’t want you staying here on your own anymore.”

“Hey, the car accident wasn’t my fault… I can do a lot of things on my own.” She smiled, “And I still have my gun.”

“Which anyone can use against you.” He said.

Courtney hissed, “Mark.”

“My fire arm could easily have been used against me when I was a cop. What’s the difference now?” Lisa asked.

“You can’t see your target.”

“We’ll see about that.”

A week past before Thunder woke Lisa in the middle of the night, whimpering that something was going on. The last time this happened, he had caught a burglar picking the back door lock and all she did was turn on the back light… the dude had left his lock pick in the lock when he took off. Lisa thought that was hilarious.

But this time, it was more urgent.

This time, Thunder had started to jump onto the bed and she knew she needed her gun.

She grabbed it as she climbed out, slipped her feet into her loafers and felt the chill of the air around her as she walked quickly and quietly to the door. Thunder stayed by her side – being an ex-police dog who had become her guide dog, he knew to stick by her when they were working; and to him, this was them working.

A smash and tinkle of glass was heard from downstairs… footsteps crushing the glass after they unlocked the door, snapped the two chains she had on it…

…Lisa breathed slowly waiting for them at the top of the stairs in the darkened corner where they couldn’t see her.

Thunder’s warm body by her leg was comforting to her – more now than ever because he was her eyes – and she could feel his body tense; thus showing they were going to come upstairs.

She readied herself for an attack as the scent of the cheap cologne from the young man invaded her nose before he was up the stairs.

Thunder growled.

Lisa took aim right in front of her and pulled the trigger.

She heard the exhale of air and his body collapse down the stairs. But she couldn’t relax yet… because Thunder was still tense.

There was another one in the house.

“Where are you! I know you’re here… no use in hiding. I’m a cop and so is my dog!” she shouted.

“Aaaww, crap, lady… you’re blind…”

“Stay where you are!” another familiar voice shouted, “Put your gun down! On your knees! Don’t move!”

“Thunder stay.” She said grabbing his collar as she slid into the corner of the wall next to him, “Good boy… we’re a good pair.” He turned and licked her cheek, “I love you too, you big softy.”

“Is anyone here?” a voice called up the stairs.

“Yeah! My name is Lisa. I’m an ex-cop.”

“Lisa Battley? Man, I heard about you and Thunder. That was no accident. Somebody wanted you out of the way.” He knelt down, “Good shot you took there.”

“Thanks.” She smiled, “And these two bozo’s?”

“They came back to finish the job.”

“So, what now? Seeing I’m not out of the woods with this really?”

“Protective custody.” He replied.

“Oh… yay. If being blind isn’t bad enough.”