Driving towards our Death Beds

Chapter 1

Nymara stood by the side of the road, watching the cars whoosh by without a care for the pedestrian that stood patiently on the side of the road. She stared blankly at the person across the road, seemingly struggling with the same dilemma. Considering the troubled look on their face they aren't used to being denied to cross the road as often as Nymara did. "New to the area perhaps', she thought to herself absentmindedly .

As the traffic light hits red and the cars slow, Nymara crosses at snail pace, wondering whether people would be cruel enough to hit a pedestrian just because she took too long to get to the other side. Working at a supermarket on the side of the road wasn't the most exciting prospect, but in the crisis stricken island, she was grateful to have found work at all. As she set up the shop, Nymara found something that made her smile for the first time in a while. A black cat wrapped around her feet, purring at her enough to warm her entire body with affection. "Well hello there lovely, what is a pretty thing like you wandering about these areas for?' she said as she knelt over to pet the cat- who with close observation seemed to be quite malnutritioned. Nymara sighed at the thought- with people in the area struggling to eat more than a meal a day she figured it was no surprise the cat went unfed.

Bells jingling as the door creaked open, Nymara went over to get the cat food she kept in the stores for any strays wandering about. "Looks like we aren't the only ones feeling the crisis hit us at the core.' Nymara startled as she finds a brunet crouch next to her, the sun hitting their face, bringing out the hazel in their eyes. "A real pity it is', Nymara says as they both watch the cat lick every bit of food in the can– purring in pure content.

"Got cigs?' the brunet asks as Nymara stations herself back behind the cashier. As she rings the pack she notices the intent stare the boy gives her–Nymara raises a brow in silent question, and chooses to not comment on it. With the fading red streaks in her hair, the multiple piercings on each ear and the gold rimmed glasses that were too big for her small face– Nymara was used to the judgemental stares this town gives her. But as she hands over the bag, she notices the boy is sporting a similar look with earrings adorning both ears, and tattoos scaling across his tanned skin. She feels his hand brush against hers unnecessarily as he takes the change and leaves with a quirk of his lips.

The shop was never busy during the day– its only customers in the recent past being people who couldn't walk straight as they came in search of more liquid to make them forget the troubles that only continue to double with each passing day. Nymara picks up the newspaper, to see promises of longer power cuts, higher prices of groceries and a new record of having the worst performing currency. With a deep felt sigh she tosses the newspaper away, plugs in her earphones and closes her eyes, wishing for the day to end so she can crawl back into bed.

For the rest of the week, the boy makes an appearance at some time of the day. Nymara finds herself etching his face to her memory. With his plump lips, hazel eyes, and lean build that could only be deciphered through the shape of the oversized clothes he favors, Nymara wonders how someone that stood out just like her for his appearance never crossed paths with her before in this small town.

On a Friday as Nymara closes down the store and heads over to cross the road- she finds the brunet leaning against the glass of the supermarket– cig in hand. "Im going to kill myself', he announces.' Nymara comes to a halt at that– processing the words.The bluntness feels like a bucket of cold water. "What?' she asks incredulously. "U heard me,' he says, strolling towards her as if he just announced the weather. "Im going to kill myself. I just wanted to tell someone. No one in this damn town would remember or miss me, but I wanted someone to at least know. To feel more acknowledged I guess? I don't fucking know I'm high as hell and lonely as fuck. But I am killing myself. Soon.'

Nymara stares, frozen in place as the brunet fidgets with his cigarette. After a few seconds of a terribly loud silence– the boy mutters a soft "forget it.' and proceeds to go the other way. Nymara stares at his retreating figure and realizes she needs to say something. Anything. Racking her brain she calls out to him , "How will you do it?'. "Gonna find a cliff. Drive my car off it. There's one to the south of this town I heard".

Nymara walks over to the boy feigning nonchalance despite the ringing in her ears. She pretended to wonder aloud "I've heard of it. It's a pretty area, don't want to explore a bit first?' The brunet stares in disbelief, hazel eyes squinting at Nymara. "And why do you suggest I do that?' "Cause I want to. I've never been outside this goddamn town– let's explore the area for a bit and then drive off the cliff. Nymara replies, trying to not let the brunet's expressions intimidate her. The boy scoffs, "Are you suggesting you tag along with me and die with me?' the disbelief in his voice evident. Nymara nods.

The boy furrows his eyebrows at her as he talks to her in a low voice threateningly, "I'm being serious, you know. I may be high but I'm not kidding about this. This isnt some field trip out of town where I give u a ride to do fucking sight seeing,' Nymara takes a step closer to the boy, puts her hands up in faux surrender– "I'm not joking either. I mean it. You said you felt lonely right? Spend your last few days with someone then. I could do with some excitement too.' The brunet stares at her intently for a few seconds, looking for signs of mockery or sarcasm– and when he finds none he says, "Fine. Meet me outside the shop when your shift is finished. Monday.' And with a final look of disbelief brunet turns around and walks away.

As Nymara watches his retreating figure she belatedly realizes she never asked for his name.