The Shyamalan prompt .

She was glad she'd worn her coat, the night was colder than she had thought and even the alcohol she'd drunk did n't seem to be helping much. She thrust her hands deeper into her pockets and kept her head down. It was a fair way to her house yet. 
 
 She heard the car before it slowed beside but she did n't turn her head. If she did n't acknowledge it then perhaps it would leave. The car, however, kept pace with her. 
 
 She heard the sound of the window being lowered and she pushed her chin deeper into her coat, letting the collar swallow up more of her head. 
 
 `` Do you know what time it is?'' He called out. She ignored him and kept walking. Seconds ticked by. She held her breath. Tonight she might be lucky. A cough and a slightly more impatient tone told her it was not to be, `` Do you know what time it is?'' 
 
 She swallowed but willed herself not to look at the car. He had n't seen her face and she was n't about to let him. 
 
 `` Claire, I know it's you. There's no use hiding your face. It's cold, it's late. Just get in the car.'' 
 
 She sighed knowing it was too late to change fate now. If only he'd kept going, maybe she would have had one more night... 
 
 She turned to face him and the car stopped. `` I was always riding with strange men was for foolish women.'' 
 `` Come Claire, just get in.'' 
 She opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, resigned. She lifted her hand to close the door and saw it shake with fear. Hurriedly she slammed the door and grasped her hands in her lap. She would n't let him see. 
 
 He sighed this time. `` Belt on Claire.'' She did n't move. Time passed with a cruel slowness. More sharply this time, `` Belt. Claire.'' Still she did n't move. Her mouth was pressed into a firm line and her knuckles were white from the pressure of her own grip. 
 
 He reached across and drew the belt over her, catching her breasts both times in a movement that could have been a caress. She went rigid at his touch but he seemed not to notice. 
 
 `` Your mum has been worried sick Claire and I just want to get us home so she can stop pacing the floor.'' Still Claire said nothing. 
 
 He sighed again and this time his hand went on her thigh. She closed her eyes. The police would have to believe her, would n't they? They had a rule did n't they? They would take her word, no matter what his reputation was would n't they? It was risk she was going to have to take. 
 
 She turned to face him and in a voice as even as she could make it said, `` Tom, it's not late. I was fine walking. I do n't know what you problem is.'' Another sigh from Tom, this one through closed teeth. He shook his head, `` Claire, how many times have I told you, call me dad. It's fine. Your father said it was fine.'' But her face did n't change. `` And you are only 16. It's not age to walking home this late. I do n't like it, your mum does n't like it and I know you father would hate it if he found out. He worships you. He would hate for something to happen to you.'' 
 
 She tilted her head and looked at him strangely. `` You are n't my father. And you never will be. Daddies are special you know. And you are n't special.'' 
 
 `` Oh Claire, I thought we had something... I thought we...'' He shook his head. 
 
 She reached into the pocket of her coat, finger the switchblade she had there. It was no or never. She could n't let him take her home. She could n't go on with her life the way it had been. 
 
 Silently she released the clasp. She undid her seatbelt and leaned over as though to hug him. Surprised and a yet pleased he leaned into her. She struck, slicing his throat, aiming for where she was told the jugular was. 
 
 Death came with a spurting of blood but it was not fast. `` Why?'' He gurgled. `` Oh they will believe me when I tell them you touched me. That you felt me there, in that place. That you have since I was 6. Since you first met mum. They will believe me because I know too much, even for 16. They will believe me when I describe the first time and the last. They will believe me because I know what it's like. But you see, they will believe me because they will see a broken little girl who was so badly abused, and they will not see what I really am... I am daddy's little angel, the love of his life and no one, but no one, gets to take his place. Ever.'' 
 
 She watched him bleed out, enjoying the coppery taste of blood.
