(Recall writing this as a draft in class a while back.)
Headlights flashed by every few minutes, as cars passed on my left side. The road was narrow, desperately clinging to the side of a rocky mountain face, and there was only a weak guardrail separating them from falling to their doom.
The thought popped into my head every time. I couldn't help it. But I knew better. Plus, I convinced myself some time ago that I wasn't the only one with dark thoughts like this. It's what made me normal. Relatable, almost.
The map that sat on the dashboard flapped like the wings of a bird wishing to fly, but it was tucked away where it would remain flightless. The folded pages of the map were my guide to an escape. A relief from reality. There was a location in the middle of the national park I was driving to that was circled with thick, red ink. The smell made me lightheaded for a moment, but I reluctantly put the cap back on. Again, relatable thoughts.
The shapes of the clouds above had slowly melted away into nothingness, as the sun set behind the tall wall of pine trees that bordered the long, winding road I drove upon. It was almost pretty - the way the oranges melted into a raspberry purple hue, finally giving way into the dark midnight tone, as sparkles of stars twinkled above.
A splatter hit the windshield, as a bug met its end. I frowned, taking a moment to roll up my window before turning on the windshield wipers, hoping the fluid would remove its dead carcass from my view. A few dozen wipes would suffice before rolling down the windows again, letting the fresh air fill the cabin of the car. Why do we call it fresh air? This is the same air that the dinosaurs used to fart in, right?
The car in front of mine must be slowing down because their brake lights painted my hands and the passenger seat beside me red with caution. Don't slow down. Go faster. No one would miss you if you just happened to crash into the car in front of you. Maybe that's a bit too harsh. Oh well.
I slowed myself behind them, resting my hand against the cold frame of the window, tapping my fingers to some unknown beat. I couldn't see anything else in front of that car since we were on a curve, but I was surprised there was any reason at all to slow down. It's not like there would be traffic. At least, not where I was heading.
They opened their door, as their hazard lights clicked on. I watched as they scratched their head, slamming their door shut, and shouting at their useless car. I adjusted the angle of my rear-view mirror, checking to see there was no other car behind. I must have pushed too hard, as the mirror snapped off of its holder. I sighed, looking down at the cheap feature. Must be what I get for purchasing the first car I came across. I tossed it in the back seat, listening to the soft thud and bounce of it hitting the leather seat then coming to rest on the floor.
A few more minutes passed, as two cars slowly passed us by, staring curiously at the man who stood in front of his car, bent over, pretending to know what he was looking at as he fumbled with the guts of his car. One car was overly cautious, giving the man and his car plenty of room, almost rubbing up against the guardrail before centering their car back on the road. I tapped my fingernails against the dashboard, leaning my cheek impatiently on my other fist. I had places to be. Well, places to get lost in, would be more accurate. Couldn't he have picked a better time to have his car breakdown?
I honked.
The man quickly shot up, hitting the underside of his hood. He peeked his head out from behind, glaring at me, as I flashed my bright lights to further annoy him.
"Go around then, smart ass!" he shouted, flipping the bird at me.
What a brilliant idea.
I shifted into reverse, sure to give Mr. Repairman plenty of space, before slowly driving into the other lane of traffic. I smiled, flashing pearly whites in his direction, as I drove past. Neither of us saw what was coming.
