The High Road

Chapter Two

I throw my apron on the rack in the back of the kitchen. I was exhausted. It had to be one of the busiest night shifts I've ever worked. The whole restaurant was completely filled, there was even a line outside just to make reservations. It was 11:30 at night now, most of the town was in a blissful sleep and I couldn't wait to join. "Goodnight Amy." I call before I shut the back door of the kitchen, leading to the parking lot where my 2013 cherry-red Dodge Avenger sprung to life. I stepped in, turning on the ignition, pull out of the parking lot, and drive down the road. The drive was boring, I would consider myself lucky if I didn't drift off to sleep. I'm pulled out of my trance as soon as I hear someone yell "Stop the car!". I look around until I see a tall boy spotted by my car's headlights. But it's not just any boy, it's Luke Millers. I bring my car to a halt, rolling down my window. "Luke, what the hell are yo-" "Just let me in, please! I'll explain later just let me in." Luke interjects pleadingly, running to the door of the passenger side and trying to open it. What the hell is wrong with him? I unlock the door, and he jumps in and slams it shut. "Can you tell me what the hell you were doing in the middle of the road?" I question, impatiently. "I said I'd explain later." He looks around frantically. "When is later? Or did you mean to say 'when you feel like it'?"

"No, I'll tell you. Just drive before they follow us."

"Who's 'they'?"

"Chloe just fucking drive!"

"No," I snap, shifting my body slightly so I can face him properly, and continue "Let's get one thing straight, Luke. You're in my car, so you're either going to tell me what's going on or you can get out, your choice." He opens his mouth to answer, but gets cut off by the sound of a car racing down the road. I look back in the rear view mirror to see a black van headed in our direction way past the speed limit. "Drive, now!" he yells, and I don't hesitate to do so. Our bodies get slammed back in our seats as I step ferociously on the pedal. There was a rush of adrenaline and panic flowing within me. I was so confused, were those guys bad? Why were they after Luke? This road we were driving on was empty at night, but I was afraid we'd enter the main road soon. "This might be a good time to tell me why they're after you." I advise, my eyes flickering from the road, to the rear view mirrors, to Luke who was putting a hand nervously through his dark chestnut hair. "After me? No, they're chasing us. We're in this shit together now." He laughs, but it sounded quavery if you ask me. I knew he was scared as shit, and that only made me more scared, and more clueless. "No, we aren't. Just tell me." He doesn't answer. I roll my eyes. The van behind us quickly gains speed, coming up directly behind us. Now, I can clearly see the windows were extremely tinted, which meant Luke was in some serious trouble. Or maybe I should say "we", since he basically recited that High School Musical song "We're All In This Together" to me. "Can your car go any faster?" Luke panics as soon as he sees the car behind us. "This isn't a fucking Maserati." I yell, agitated. I swerve a little to get them off my tail, and soon the secluded road opens up to the main road, where other cars hustle and bustle throughout the streets.

"Oh shit," he mumbles, continuing "Take the cut-off to the right, there's no cars on that road."

"How long are we planning on playing Speed Racer?" I remark.

"Do it." he snaps, and I listen. I drive through the cut-off at perfect timing, the black car gets stuck in the traffic. A huge relief washes over me.

"Thank God." he breathes out.

"I think you mean, 'thank you', since I just saved your ass from whoever was in that car."

"Not just my ass, Willis. Yours too."

"Last time I checked, they were after you, not me. So don't try to drag me into this."

"You were 'dragged into this'" he makes air quotations, continuing "As soon as you let me into your car."