Sword and Scale Nightmares - Choices

Episode Date: June 22, 2026

A fugitive on the run takes a woman hostage. Ashley Smith is not only fighting for her life, but also trying to take back control of it. To make it through, she must force a killer to face what he has done and finally face the past she has been avoiding.Get commercial free access to over a decade of Sword and Scale's true crime podcasts at http://swordandscale.com

Ashley throws on a sweater, grabs her pocketbook and keys. Exhausted from moving all day, she just wants a cigarette before bed. She steps outside, turns towards her car, and hears a rumble. A blue pickup. Backs into a space. Must be a neighbor, she thinks. Hopping into her car, the engine sputters to life. Piece of junk, she mutters, staring at the blinking radio clock.

She texts her phone. It's 2 a.m. She drives to QuickTrip, buys cigarettes, and heads home. As she pulls up the short hill before her apartment, she sees the blue truck again. Except it's in a different spot. While she was gone, it moved to the spot directly behind her parking spot. She slows down trying to see who is in the truck. As she inches towards her assigned spot, the headlights bounce off the other cars. For a split second, she sees a shape, the shape of a man sitting in the truck.

Ashley breaks into a cold sweat. Something just doesn't feel right. She hesitates unsure whether to drive off, but she has nowhere to go. Gaging the distance, she decides to run for her apartment door. She pulls into her space and turns off the car. Keys ready in her hand, she steps out. Immediately, she hears the truck door close. She walks quietly, clutching her pocketbook and holding her key.

She glances back. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees the man walking towards her. His footsteps growing closer. She hurries to the door, slides in the key, turns the knob, and opens. Then he was on her. To sword and scale nightmares. crime for bedtime. When nightmare begins now.

Ashley screams. He grabs her by the arm and tells her to shut up through clenched teeth. Stop screaming. And I won't hurt you. Her thoughts shift to her daughter. She wants to say goodbye. The man wraps his arms around her and drags her through the door. A gun digs into her side.

He lets go and Ashley slumps to the floor, backing against the wall. His cap is low and she notices a second gun in his shoe. Why did you scream? he asks. Ashley doesn't answer. She begs. Her mind is on her daughter. Please don't do this. Don't hurt me.

My little girl doesn't have a daddy and if you kill me she won't have a mommy either. He assures her that if she listens and doesn't scream, he won't hurt her. She's shaking so hard she can barely breathe. He orders her to the bathroom. She thinks it's the perfect place to kill her. As she starts walking through the small apartment, she wishes she had listened to her stepdad. Hours earlier at 9.45 p.m., she was finishing out her old apartment. It was on the second floor, and as she carried a couple of bags of trash down the stairs, her phone rang. It was her stepdad. He asked her what she was doing, you know, basic chit-chat. She explained she was moving the rest of her stuff. His demeanor changed.

There's a man on the loose, and you're out? Haven't you been watching the news? Ashley rolled her eyes. This wasn't the first time her stepdad mentioned the guy on the news. He woke her up that morning, talking about the shooting at the courthouse. A man on trial at Fulton County had escaped custody. He shot his way out of the courtroom. Three people were already dead, including the judge. But Ashley didn't see the danger. She lived about half an hour away from downtown Atlanta.

She got more details at the restaurant where she worked as a waitress. A group of police officers eating dinner had said not to worry. He was probably in Alabama by now. She tried to reassure her stepdad. Look, this guy's not going to come after me. I mean, he could be anywhere. In a hurry to finish moving, she promises her stepdad. She'll grab a few more things and be at her new place in just a few minutes.

Well, okay, he says. Just get home and get inside and don't leave. Ashley reaches the bathroom. She feels for the wall and turns on the light as she walks inside. She walks in as far as she can go, then turns around. She's facing the man. The gun is aimed at her chest. He's tall, several inches taller than her.

He was wearing a thick jacket, black slacks, and a ball cap pulled down low. He keeps stepping back into the hallway, listening for sirens. Then he turns towards her and steps into the bathroom. Do you know who I am? He says in an angry voice. His large body fills the doorframe. No, she says, trying to see his face better. You've been watching the news, he asks.

Tulting his head and staring her in the eyes, waiting for her to recognize him. A little, she admits. The courthouse. Brian Nichols. He pronounces slowly. Ashley's eyes grow wide. Yes, she stammers. He's supposed to be in Alabama, not in her apartment.

He rips off his hat and gets right in her face. Do you know me now? His hair is closely shaven. His eyes are small and set back, but opened wide. Yes, she nods. I know who you are. Her mind races with the facts from the news. Three dead at the Fulton County Courthouse.

As the realization comes crashing down on end, Ashley. Brian steps back into the hallway and into the shadows. When Brian comes back, he warns the police could be there any second. Get in the tub. Now. Ashley pulls the curtain aside and steps inside. Sit down, he demands. She sits down and crosses her legs. Her back is to the wall and Brian stands between her and the only way out. Look, she says, I can't leave my five-year-old little girl without a mommy. Her father died four years ago. She starts to cry. I can't leave her now. She needs me. He sits for a while, rubbing his head as if he's deep in thought. Then suddenly he blurts out. What is your name? Ashley. Well Ashley, I don't feel comfortable

with you. Sit there and don't move. He moves for the open door. Because if you move, I'll have to hurt you. And I don't want to do that. I just want to relax. He leaves the room, walks through the apartment, gets familiar with every window, every exit. Ashley strains her neck trying to see him in the reflection of the mirror. She hears him opening and closing drawers in the kitchen. When he returns, his thick jacket is missing. Under the blazer that matches his slacks, he isn't wearing a shirt. She notices his his true size, his chest, his arms for the first time, and knows she wouldn't stand a chance in a fight.

He sets down a roll of masking tape, a long brown extension cord, and a single window curtain. Ashley can't take her eyes off the cord. Here's the deal, he says, as he gets the gun on the bathroom counter. I want to relax, so I have to tie you up. internally Ashley starts to pray she straightens up this is bad he could tie me up he could

kill me she can't just sit there and let it happen she looks up at him confusion on her face and asks why moments later she was tied up her hands were taped from wrist to fingertip her legs were taped from mid thigh

to mid-cath The extension cord was thankfully tied around her legs rather than around her neck. The curtain was cinched around her body. Ashley watched as he looked her up and down. He was satisfied she wasn't going anywhere. He blurts out. Do you have any pot? I don't. Sorry.

But I have something else. I have meth. Ashley regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth. The last thing she wanted was Brian getting paranoid and acting crazier. She didn't want him to do it. She didn't even want to do it. That'll work, he says. But I want to take a shower and relax first.

Brian bent down and lifted Ashley in both arms. She could feel his muscles tightened through the curtain. He placed her on a little stool in the bathroom. He walked to the closet, grabbed a towel, and placed it over her head. so you don't have to watch, he said. She could still see him from the knees down. The shower turns on with a spurt before settling into a steady stream. Steam starts to form.

She has no choice but to watch. The gun in his shoe is placed next to the other. His clothes hit the floor. The rings slide across the rod. Then one at a time, his legs disappear into the shower. She raises her voice so that he can hear. Do you have any kids? She was desperate to distract him from the meth.

My son was just born. Congratulations. What's his name? There was a long pause before he answered. The water muffled his voice. It doesn't matter. I'm going to prison. You never know.

Do you believe in miracles? Another. Long, pause. Yeah. You could have died out there today. You're alive. You can still see your son. The shower turns off.

The water gurgles down the drain. The shower curtain slides, and his feet reappear into view. She can hear him pull his pants up over each leg. A few seconds later, he was dressed and demanding. she stand up. Ashley hops to the bedroom, her leg still tied. She sits at the end of the bed, like he orders her to. Brian untied the curtain and the cord. He started cutting the tape with a scissor she didn't know he had. When he was done, he stood up towering over her. Turn around. Nervous but hopeful, Ashley turned around. She told herself she could overcome anything as long as

she lived. She knew she could. The blades of the scissors were cold on her arms. Seconds later, the tape was off. She stretched as she turned to face him, prepared for whatever was next. Now, get that stuff. Ashley walks to the bedroom and pulls out a small pouch. Here, she says, holding it out. Brian looks at it. You going to do it with me? Ashley speaks without even thinking. No, that stuff ruined my life. She surprises herself. She steps back from the counter.

She always had the urge, but now, with everything happening, she doesn't. I'm a drug addict. That's why I don't have my daughter. That's the consequence of my choices. She points to a photo of her daughter on the counter. I'm supposed to see her in the morning. Brian watches as Ashley shakes her head. I shouldn't have offered it to you.

She looks him in the eye. It's not worth it. That's how I lost everything. But it's your choice. I can't stop you. She turns around. She doesn't want to watch. The bathroom behind her is silent, then a sharp inhale.

Ashley remembers all the battles she had with her addiction. She remembers all the back-and-forth arguments. in her head, all the struggles to do better for her daughter. Brian, do you mind if I read? She asks. It felt strange saying his name. Okay, he replies. Ashley starts to walk towards her bedroom.

Brian follows. She grabs a book off her dresser. It's called The Purpose, Driven Life. It's like a daily devotional, she explains. She sits at the edge of her bed. Brian sits next to her as she opens the book to Day 32, using what God gave you. Do you want to hear it?

She asks. Sure, he replies. Ashley starts to read out loud. First a passage from the Bible, then a proverb. As she starts reading the first paragraph, Brian listens closely. It's all about finding your purpose and life because God deserves your best. Suddenly, Brian says stop.

Read that again. Ashley thinks she might be reaching him, teaching him that there is another way. But she can't be sure. She finishes the paragraph and looks at Brian. He's rubbing his hands on his knees, back and forth. What do you think my purpose is? He asks.

Ashley couldn't believe what she was about to say, but she had to. Maybe you should minister in prison. Brian didn't reply. He just stared at the floor distantly. Then quietly, he asks, What do you think I should do? Ashley puts the book down and turns to him.

You've got to stop running. Turn yourself in. Pay for what you did. Everyone has to pay for their choice. just like I'm paying for mine. I don't have my daughter. Lying and doing drugs is no different than killing people in the eyes of God. Sin is sin. But God can forgive both of us. Brian stared at the floor. Ashley couldn't tell if he was in thought or about to erupt in anger. He stood up and just stared at the dresser before walking out of the room. Ashley waited, wondering if he was going for the guns and

the bathroom. Come in here, he says, from another room. She gets up from the bed and walks into the hall. I'm still in charge here, he says. Okay, that's fine, Ashley responds. Brian turns on the news. The sound of his name filled the apartment. You know, Ashley says, if you don't turn yourself in, you will kill more people or be killed yourself. Ryan slowly turns his head from the TV. Look at my eyes. I'm already dead. Ashley knows that feeling.

No, she says. You're alive. Think about it. You escaped custody. You got out of the courthouse. You weren't killed. You weren't even hurt. And you made it all the way here to the apartment that I just moved into two days ago.

What are the odds? and you don't think that's a sign? You have to see that. You have to man up and make it for your son. Brian just stares at the TV. Ashley gets up and walks into the kitchen. Are you hungry? She asks.

Brian says yes, so she starts to make pancakes, watching him the entire time. She remembers how she and her husband had pancakes every Saturday morning before he died before she lost herself in drugs. Brian joins her at the bar. He sets something down. It's a wallet with a badge. Where'd you get that? Ashley asks. I didn't want to kill him. I just wanted his truck. But he kept fighting, so I had to kill him. Ashley's pulse. quickens. She didn't know anything about the fourth person dead. Her eyes stick to the wallet. She sees his license. Look at this guy, she says, pointing to the picture on the license.

He was pretty young. That means you killed someone's husband, someone's father. Do you know what that's like? Because I do. My husband got into a fight. He was outnumbered. He was outnumbered. When the crowd scattered, he was just lying on the ground. Then he got up and walked to his truck. He opened the door, but he couldn't pull himself inside. I ran to him and he collapsed in my arms. The paramedic showed up and told me he was gone. Later I learned he was stabbed in the heart and died in my arms.

My daughter will never know her father, and no one ever paid. Ryan looks up at Ashley as she flips a pancake. For a second, she doesn't know what he's going to do. Do you mind if I stay here for a few days? He asks. And then I'll turn myself in. Sure, she replies. You can stay here.

Ashley hands her captor a plate of pancakes with butter and syrup. He eats in minutes. When he finishes, he stands up and walks to the bathroom. Ashley hears the sound of metal, of guns, and tenses up. Then Brian reappears, turns on the TV, and sits on the couch. She lets out a sigh of relief. At least, he seems relaxed. You're going to be on the news, he says.

When I turn myself in, they'll want to know everything. What are you going to say? I'll tell them what happened and about the person you are. She watches Brian's head nod in agreement. Ashley hesitates for a second. My daughter, I'm supposed to see her soon. What time do you have to leave to see your daughter, Brian asks? 9.15, she replies.

After more than seven hours in her apartment with Brian Nichols, He said she could go. She doesn't believe him. Ashley opens the door and light floods in. She steps outside and shuts the door behind her. After everything that happened, she is physically and emotionally exhausted. She feels as if her legs might give out. She makes it to her car, starts it, and drives away.

She keeps checking the mirror expecting him to come after her. Her hands are shaking so badly she can barely hold the phone as she dials 911. Brian Nichols would be apprehended without incident. Ashley watched as he was led away in cuffs. She was awarded $70,000 for leading authorities to Brian. It was enough to get her life on track. It was enough for her to provide. for her daughter. In the months that followed, the police would finally identify the men

responsible for her husband's death. But that's not what changed her life. Not really. It was, instead, her decision made in the middle of the worst night of her life to stop running, to be there for her daughter, and to finally face the consequences. of her own choices. If you enjoyed the show, please consider joining plus at sword and scale.com slash plus. But if you can't,

consider leaving us a positive review on your preferred listening platform. Sweet dreams, and good night.