Santobahn Foundation -
Santobahn Foundation - The Santobahn Foundation is the cornerstone of scientific developments within the environmental space. An internationally recognised foundation within the environmental conservation space.
Brian and Heather Jenkins (Rita's parents) work at Santobahn Foundation, about a 15 minute drive from Rita's school, depending on traffic. Brian and Heather drove their usual route, discussing plans for the camping trip.
Dr Brian Jenkins is a 50-year-old scientific research team leader and has been with Santobahn for over 25 years. His wife, Professor Heather Jenkins, is a 48 year old scientific Professor at Santobahn and works with her husband in the research and technology section of the company.
They both keep fit and active and love the outdoors, correlating their environmental work with community projects and education.
Driving from Rita's school toward work, Brian had become distant in conversation, he appeared distracted by something in the rear mirrors. A white van with dark windows appeared to be following them. He saw it this morning, then again at the school, and now it was behind them again.
Could it be a coincidence? Brian thought.
Brian suddenly turned right into a different street, narrowly missing an oncoming car. Screeching tyres, car horns sounding, traffic halted just in time.
"Bloody Hell Brian! What the hell are you doing?"
Brian checked his rear mirror with a concerned look. He observed the white van behind also turning right sharply in front of traffic and continuing to drive behind them. Heather saw the look on Brian's face and was about to look behind when Brian said "No, keep looking forward, don't make anything obvious."
"There has been a white van following us since we left home. At first I thought it a coincidence, but with things the way they are, I had to check, and they are still with us. I'm going to try to lose them."
With that, a fast turn to the left into a small ally, then right into another ally, knocking bins as he drove on. A check of the mirror confirmed the van was still there, following.
"Ok darling, they are still there. I'm going to have to work harder here. Can you just keep an eye out like we practiced please, this is the real thing I think."
With that, Heather's expression changed from concerned, to almost tactical. She reached into a bag under the seat and pulled out a small box. Looking at Brian, they nodded. Brian took the next right turn into a larger street, the van followed. The traffic now was starting to increase, single lane each way and slowing ahead.
"Here, to the left!" Heather said.
Brian swung the car left into another lane way. As he did, Heather opened her window, and holding the little box out, emptied the contents across the road as they turned. 500 thumbtacks!
"Lets hope that works." she said.
Continuing down the lane way, the van was still behind. As Brian accelerated toward the next right turn, the van appeared to be slowing. He turned right into a main road and continued to accelerate, not seeing the van behind him. He continued along the road, still no sign. Traffic was heavier on this road, yet still no sign of the van.
They looked around, beginning to calm and no sign of the van, traffic returning to normal. They looked at each other and started to smile.
"That was close darling, do you think it will be safe to go to work?" Brian asked
"This is all too much." Heather said looking at Brian with a sense of fear.
They continued for a short while, getting back on track heading to Santobahn, their heart rate slowly returning to normal as they contemplate the next move to ensure their safety. Heather looking at Brian with a loving look, and an expression that said 'Why can't we just disappear from here and this situation.'
"Brian, Lookout!"
Bang!
They both looked to see the front of the white van drive straight into Brian's door at speed, with a deafening smash.
The shattering of glass, crunching of metal, screech of tyres and their car was propelled sideways with great force.
Time appeared to stop.
As if in slow motion, the shattered glass flew around the cabin, white powder from the airbags filled the air, mixing with the shattered glass, and now blood spatters from both Brian and Heather. They could only look at each other as they both were flung around the inside of the car like rag dolls, their bodies and faces changing with the destructive action of the crash, yet also showing an intense love for each other and a knowing, that the Santobahn Company was behind this.
Their car collided with the gutter then continued on to lodge in a brick wall. The white van still connected, and pushing them.
The car now a twisted crumpled mess, the lovers now trapped in the carnage.
Shattered glass, plastic, blood, and smoke filled the air, Brian and Heather now grasping for air, mangled in pain, yet reaching to hold each others hands.
Looking at each other with loving and knowing eyes, both seeing the dark figures approaching them from the white van as their worlds went dark, pain was no longer present, and silence fell upon them.