The banging noise under the car got his attention and he skidded to a stop. Every ounce of substance drained from his vein as he sat and stared through the wide windshield at the steady rain and the purple darkness, and screamed at his negligence. He had struck something. What could it be? The road was empty, and it was a most unseeming hour of night.

Somewhere deep inside he wished it were a tree; he could deal with that but not the bloody mangled body of an animal. He stepped timidly out, more annoyed at what had transpired, than at the mystery of the accident.

In the hazy darkness, the measure of an object protruded from under the side of the automobile. He hesitated for a moment then bent and touched it.

He froze.

The thing was incredibly different from what he expected. It was soft, smooth and silky; Fear enveloped his body. It was something he couldn’t face.

The decision was quick.

Discard it!

But were they prepared to face the consequence: There was The Payback!