Whispers that Scream

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Adam

Adam drove home going below the speed limit. He felt like if he reached home and went up his stairs, this wonderful thing he had found with Jane would be over. But what should he do? Go back to the party and challenge the guy to a fistfight? He knew by watching movies and reading books that this was the time for a grand gesture. Grand gesture? What the fuck was he supposed to do to make a grand gesture? His body was divided in two. His heart ached to see Jane so happy and dancing with another guy. He wanted to be the one to make her smile like that, he wanted to be the one to celebrate her first three weeks at her new job, and he wanted to be the one to support her and help her achieve all her goals. His heart wanted all of this and desperately ached for it.

 But his mind? His mind constantly whispered doubts. Constantly whispered piercing logic, drowning out the voice of hope. He called it logic and rationale, but really it was all assumptions he was making. He had evidence that a relationship would be extremely difficult for him, but, as he had used as evidence with Jane, he had never actually been in one. He was assuming he would fail before even trying. The problem was that he didn't want the guinea pig to be Jane. If he was wrong and took the risk, not only would he be heartbroken, but Jane would be hurt as well. It wasn't a risk he was willing to take. He took that odd speedbump far out of town too fast and he his jerked violently at the impact. He slowed his car down and pulled over another half mile down the highway. That lack of moon shining down behind the clouds ensured the road was pitch black.

He let his head fall on the steering wheel. What can I do? Think Adam. Find a solution to this. There always is a solution. 

But he couldn't see one. He had fallen in love with Jane and now, he couldn't see himself with anyone else. He didn't want to be with anyone else.

"Do I just jump? Do I just take the risk and give this a chance?" he whispered to himself. Indecision paralyzed him. The stakes were so high with the rewards being just as high. If he did this, it may make them the happiest they could possibly be in this lifetime, or it may destroy both of them. He started to breathe heavily, rocking back in forth in his seat. His shirt collar found its way into his mouth while he tapped the steering wheel.

Headlights flashed from behind him, causing him to glance back over his seat. What the hell? Did that car just get airborne from that speed bump? 

The car swerved, sliding its way into the other lane and trying to correct its path. Holy shit. It's coming right at me! 

Adam started to panic, thinking that a drunk driver was going to end his life on the side of the highway which led to the end of the world. In his panic, he missed the fact that the car was aiming at him out of control, yes, but it was also slowing down. 

As fast as he could, he climbed over the center console and threw open the passenger door, diving off into the canal to save his life. He hit the warm water in a belly flop and let himself be submerged beneath the brown water. The water was dark and god knew what was swimming around down here with him. He poked his head up slightly above the waterline with a lily pad balancing on top of his head. 

He was ready to go offer whatever assistance he could, but the driver of the other car was most likely dead. His eyes widened as he saw that his truck was still fine, not crumpled into a flaming heap like he expected it to be.

It must have just missed my truck. Adam started to catch his breath, feeling silly. Thank god no one had seen him dive into the canal. And no one would ever know about it. He'd make sure of that.

He could hear a muffled voice coming from somewhere in the gloom. He squinted his eyes and finally could spot the car that his truck was blocking. The headlights from his own truck and the headlights from the car blinded his vision from seeing who the owner was. A flashlight was shined into his truck, and then when the owner found nothing, continued up and down the road before shining towards him in the canal.