Truck Stop

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Henry Collins Niklaus the third.

He didn't look at all like he did when I saw him last. No longer was he pale and covered with blood. That aside he lost his vulnerable look too. This man screamed power. Even now in his aggressive stride forward I was hard put not to take a step back. Blond hair, blue eyes and a muscular build, he was everything in appearance that a predator would be.

"I regret that you find saving me something you repent. But I feel a need to thank you for your efforts in person, regardless," he said with a quiet strength that undermined my own anger. I felt water well up in my eyes and opened them wider to hold back the spill.

It was not his fault that I felt as I did over that crash. That for some inexplicable reason, I thought of it as a test fate set out for me. One that I failed sorely. Pinning the blame on him only made my failure worse. It would be as if I was attacking the very person I saved.

I took a step back and faced him boldly in the eye. "I am sorry I said what I did. I didn't mean it. I have nothing against you. It was me that I was angry at. I should have been able to pull them all out. I should have thought it through better. Planned it better... moved faster... been stronger. I could have done so much more if only I had been better prepared."

I took a great deep breath catching myself before I broke down completely. "I can't tell you just how sorry I am," I whispered under my breath, before turning away and making for the room I usually used whenever I stayed over at Fred's.

I fell on the bed but did not break into sobs. I thought back to that first time I encountered a road accident. I had been all off sixteen at that time. Driving my truck illegally without a licence. I watched the car skid out of control then flip over before me. I called Fred instead of radioing direct for help. I had no first aid training and not a clue about what to do.

As I dithered uncertainly by the side of the road knowing that I needed to leave before the authorities arrived and discovered that I was driving my truck illegally. That was when it happened. The flame caught and the car went up in a blast.

Panic had set in full blown then and I had backed away to where I left my truck parked. I sprang up into the cab and took off blindly down the road.

I enrolled in a first aid course right after and read up ambulance attendance training manuals. I exercised and kept fit. I was ready and geared to rescue anyone. There would never be a time, another would die at my watch or so I had thought. Foolishly thought. So very foolishly. Not knowing that five years down the road I would lose five lives instead of the one already on my conscience.

I had never felt so useless. So alone... and so pointless.

The knock on the door was expected. But I hadn't expected it to be Marni.

"You're needed for the horn blast salute. Its cake cutting time. You've missed most of the party already. I suggest you cut short on your own personal pity party and do your uncle some credit. You know he loves you like his own. It's his birthday so wash that face right up and fix yourself. I am giving you five minutes to be a big girl and haul on outta here," she said peremptorily, before exiting my room in a huff.

What she said needed saying. But I couldn't appreciate it at this time. Even so I did as she bid and appeared a short while later looking fresh as a daisy. As if I hadn't just been bawling my eyes out only moments before.

I put on a good show. I smiled and beamed and even answered the questions from the few reporters that remained. And when the time came I joined the rest of the troops and clambered back into my Titan Mack truck for the impromptu symphony of the horn blast. These were trucks built by Australians designed for the Australian outback. A more impressive fleet of vehicles couldn't possibly be found elsewhere, commandeering the great open roads. I took my seat in the orchestra of horn blast with some pride.