1: Whispering Smoke - Evan Peters

Broken Headlight

Water swelled in the river below me. The wind was taunting the hood over my head, threatening to lift it off and reveal my head underneath. It was cold, dark and I think rain was just beginning to pat down on the side walk. I could hear the buzz of electricity through the street lamps above me, their soft yellow glow only bright enough to light the path I was on. Was I really going to do this, or was I chickening out at the last minute? One of my hands grasped the cold metal railing in front of me and the other the thick fencing wire. I took a breath out; it felt like I was holding my breath for eternity.

The sound of a lone car fills my ears, a stark contrast to the ambient sound of faraway traffic and howling wind. I couldn't help but turn my head towards the sound. Maybe someone was having a worse day than me; I noticed one working headlight and dark smoke travelling into the cold air from under the hood. Looked like a Jeep from its circular headlight. The car happened to slow down to a stop and my stomach dropped. Was this a sign? because I didn't want one.

The rain poured heavier now. The car's drivers side door slams shut followed by an aggravated yell and a kick to the car's tyre. Hooded like I was but almost 6 feet, a person made their way to the front of the car. I turned away then. Maybe I should try again another day.

I went to walk away. It felt like the thunder was roaring just above my head.

"Hey!"

I was taken aback by the call, and despite my gut instinct, turned my attention towards the owner of the broken down Jeep. They jogged over to me, I removed my hood.

"Hey, sorry to bother you, would you mind giving me a hand? This happens all the time, I just need you to start the car while I push it," they held out their car keys to me trustingly.  I didn't really have a reason not to, after all, if I do get kidnapped and die it might be fate. I stared up at them, or him I should say now. Only half of his face was lightly illuminated, dark eyes, wet hair, high cheekbones. He looked to be my age, and not the slightest bit threatening. I took the keys from his hand and agreed.

I sat in the driver's side of the car. A phone was sitting on the passenger seat, face down, buzzing. A college jersey, a 6 pack of beer and three cigarette butts littered the floor mat. A Chinese take-out menu was poking out from in the glove box. The car smelt like cigarettes and the black forest pine tree hanging from the rear view mirror.

I heard a loud knock at my window, I wound it down slightly. "Alright watch me head behind the car, I'll push, you start". My eyes followed him as he disappeared behind the car's rear. My foot pushed on the break and the key fit into the ignition. Somehow, his crazy plan worked, and the car's interior lit up and music resumed playing from the speakers. With the keys still in the ignition, I opened the door and stepped out.

"Fuck yes, thank you so much." He was by my side and smiled at me from under his hood. "That's alright, no worries".

"Could I give you a ride somewhere? I can't see why you'd be out here so late in the rain by yourself-" before I could decline he cut me off -"seriously it's not a hassle, get in, I'll take you where you need to go."

I wasn't going to push it any further and thanked him, getting into the passenger side after moving his phone from the seat. I properly saw him in the car's light. Blonde, fair, wearing all black. Hands on the steering wheel, I could see his knuckles were grazed.

"Where can I take you?"
"22nd and 4th please, there's a sheltered bus station on the corner."
"Would you mind if I had a smoke?"
"It's a bad habit you know."
He let out a small laugh. The centre console lifted and out came a pack of cigarettes, the box slightly damp from his wet fingers. He lifted one up to his mouth, placed it between his lips and lit it with a white lighter. He knew where to drive to, his familiarity with St Louis showed me he grew up here.

It wasn't long until I saw the bus stop on 22nd and 4th. He pulled over and let me out.
"Hey thanks again." My hands found the bottom of my pockets. I have to admit his smile was infectious, and it was strikingly opposite  to the black darkness of the night.

"Hey don't mention it, see you around and get home safe yeah?" The passenger side door shut and soon after, he sped off. It left me thinking of the whole fate thing again, a cute guy's car breaks down right where I stood by the bridge. Weird coincidence.