Our Ironic Serendipity (IM5)

Chapter 1

The radio yaps on, advertising useless products, while I try to keep my eyes on the road. I shake my head, feeling myself doze off. The radio hasn't been helping much with keeping me awake so I slowly come to a stop, hearing only the sound of the engine purring as I pull off the highway. I take my iPhone out of my pocket and plug it into a chord that connects it to my black SUV's audio. As soon as my phone connects, I unlock it and tap on a playlist titled "Car Music." I can instantly feel my mind un-clutter as the beginning to Mr.Pitiful by Otis Redding booms through the speakers. I return to the road and turn up the sound, hoping the louder the music is the more awake I'll be able to stay.

This drive seems to never end but I know I have to make it to Daniel's house before the sun sets. Driving in the dark has never really been one of my stronger abilities so I'm determined to make it to my friend's house before the sun flees the sky.

The idea to visit Daniel came to me last week when I was texting him and realized that I hadn't seen him in about three years. The reason was IM5, a band that I have been a part of for three and a half years now. Running around with four guys performing, writing and recording songs, filming videos, travelling, and goofing off definitely kept me occupied.

Honestly, I don't exactly understand why I suddenly got the urge to see my friend, just like I haven't really understood many things about myself lately. Daniel and I were never close or anything. I mean, we were pretty close before I joined IM5, but it never was one of those friendships that you were one hundred percent sure would last your entire life. Daniel was a pretty cool guy, don't get me wrong, and I'm excited to be spending time with him for at least the weekend, but that's just not the only reason I decided to pick up and leave for the weekend. I guess it's not really Daniel now that I think about it, but more about me being able to get away and clear my head. I've been feeling really down for a while now, and I mean really down, but I won't get too deep into that. Regardless, this was a decision made last minute so here I am now about 5 hours into my 9 hour drive from Los Angeles to Garberville, California.

I know this sounds weird, especially since I am not athletic in any way what so ever, but I'm really looking forward to hiking. I've been told Daniel is quite the hiker and apparently there are a lot of gorgeous mountains in the Garberville area, so I'll have plenty of time to rest in nature's arms. I looked up Garberville on the internet yesterday, and the pictures I came across were astonishing. Also, I received many photographs that Daniel had taken during his overflowing number of hikes and I was impressed with the beauty of the woods. Just the pictures I saw had the ability to put me in a calm state of mind; I could only imagine how peaceful physically being around those tall trees would be.

The music stopped and my phone vibrated on my lap. I glance down to see that I'm getting a call from my Mom.

"Hello?" I answer, tapping the "speaker" button and placing the phone on top of the dashboard.

"William? How are you? I'm just checking on you to make sure you're doing fine," her voice blares from the speaker of my phone.

"I'm fine, mom. I just drove past San Jose. I'll probably hit San Francisco traffic in a bit here so I can't talk right now."

"Okay. I just wanted to make sure you're doing fine. Cole called earlier asking about going to the movies. Why didn't you tell the boys you were leaving?"

I sigh, recalling that Cole mentioned three days ago a new movie he wanted to see with the band.

"Did you tell him where I went?" I ask.

"Yes, I told him you were visiting your friend. Are you okay, honey? You sound a little down."

"I think it's just the weather affecting my mood, I'll have to call you back later once I get past San Francisco. Love you."

"Alright, be safe, honey. I heard there might be heavy rain somewhere near that area so please be careful. I love you."

I hang up, hoping to not get any more calls during this drive. I was hoping to get away for the weekend but I guess that won't really be happening since the boys now know where I am and they might try calling me to talk about it and complain about why I didn't bring them along or why I didn't tell them or why I was going to hang out with someone else but not them. I let out a breath, hoping none of them say a word about this to anyone else, or me.

****

About twenty minutes after I passed San Francisco, I gave my mother a call and assured her that I got through the city fine and I didn't die. She can be too worrisome sometimes. As I end the phone call, I notice that the sky has suddenly turned a strange dark color. It's a dark gray with a tint of purple. It's only the afternoon so there's no way that purple tint is a result of the sun set. I'm not exactly sure how to feel about the sudden change in the sky but I figure it can't be a big deal.

Five minutes into the strange weather, it suddenly begins to rain. It's not a light kind of rain either, it's one of those really heavy rain falls which could easily result in hailing. As if summoned, hail begins to shoot onto the hood of my car. By this point, the wind shield wipers I turned on as soon as it began raining aren't helping what so ever. The only thing I can rely on now are my headlights, which still barely help me see through the rain.

The wind began picking up speed and I was getting anxious. Weather never changes this quickly unless something big is coming. I pick up my phone, hoping that it might come into use somehow. I unlock it and see that it has no signal. At this point I feel panicked.

I'm beginning to struggle to stay on the road as my tires slip and swerve from how much rain is wavering in an ocean like way on the road. The rain was only getting worse and I wasn't exactly taught how to drive on water. They usually don't tell you during driving courses what to do when you're on a highway, in the middle of nowhere, with no one around to help you, and there's pretty much a river building up beneath your car.

Just as I begin to think I'm probably going to end up dying today, I just barely see a road leading up a mountain. Without putting much thought to it, I quickly turn and drive up the mountain. Maybe this wasn't the best idea but it's my only option at this point.

Although it's still hailing, the rain isn't as bad because a wall made of boulder-like structure on the right side of the road is blocking most of the storm while I drive up the hill. Once I reach the top of the hill, I continue to drive down the road, challenging the wind which is almost throwing me off to the side. Through the pouring rain I manage to make out that there is a house about two miles ahead. I hit the gas, hoping to get there faster.

I arrive in the driveway while the wind blocks out all the sound around me. Pulling my keys out of the ignition, I grab my phone and swing open the car door. I carefully get out, putting my arms in front of my face to try and block out the rain and hail. I run to the porch, carelessly banging on the front door.

"Hello!" I call out, praying someone is inside.

"Please, let me in! I got caught in the storm!" There's no answer.

Please let there be someone. Please let there be someone. Please let there be some-

Before I can finish my thought, the door swings open and something grabs the collar of my shirt, pulling me inside. Still in a dazed state, I look around but am unable to make out my surroundings. That storm must have affected me more than I thought.

Slowly, my vision begins to darken and get blurry. I struggle to stay on my feet, but I guess I don't have to because I hear a loud thud and a sharp pain takes over my head.

"Walter!"

That's the last thing I hear before I black out.