Two's Company, Three's a Crowd

Flashback

I don't know how long I was in there, but the water eventually ran cold. I twisted the taps off and slowly stepped out. My mind was as clouded as the steamed up bathroom.

I rubbed the towel across my naked body. I couldn't feel it, I couldn't feel anything.

I shivered, but I didn't feel cold.

I stared into the mirror, into my face, but I didn't-couldn't feel anything.

I was alone.

I slowly dressed and lay myself out on my bed. It wasn't comfortable, but then again, nothing was. Eventually sleep came to me. It must have, because I dreamt. Or maybe I woke up, and the reality I thought was real was the dream, and the dream was the reality.

I wish.

"'...And for the traffic this evening, over to you Ted.'

'Yes, thank you John. It appears that the long weekend has really taken its toll on our roads today. Cars are backed-up all the way across the highway and several main and country routes have been closed due to severe weather, crashes and other hazards. It appears that entire roads have been swept away leaving driving in rural areas to be potentially fatal. It is advised that drivers stick to the main roads and brave the fierce traffic or turn back.

in related news, at least 7 people have been killed on our roads this evening and 9 taken to hospital for treatment of severe, life-threatening in-'"

"I think that's enough of that." Hazel reaches over and switches the station.

We were all quiet for a moment, only the sound of the windscreen wipers beating furiously against the rain could be heard.

"We don't take any country roads to get to the ferry," Phoebe gulps. "Do we?"

"Of course we don't." Says Hazel in her special reassuring voice. She had a way of talking that made you feel safe and calm, no matter what was going on. She had a voice of authority and you naturally listened to her when she spoke like that, I figured it came from being a primary teacher. She shot me a quick glance which said, 'do we?'

I nod slightly.

she pulls a very thoughtful face and turns to Phoebe who was sitting next to Nick in the back seat.

"We'll be fine," she smiles reassuringly. "How about we crank up this music now, eh? We're on holiday now after all!"

Phoebe grins.

"To Ireland!" cries Nick.

"To Ireland!" the girls and I cheer in harmony as the music fills our ears and lifts our spirits.

I don't know how long I was driving before we finally turn off the car-jammed main highway and speed down the dirt rural road, a short-cut we had stumbled upon on our first trip to the Emerald Isle.

By this time no noise can be heard from the back seat of the car, Nick and Phoebe are fast asleep in eachothers arms. Hazel is also in a deep slumber, her beautiful face reflected in raindrops that sprinkled the window. everything is still and quiet, minus the massive storm brewing up ahead. I can see the huge bolts of lightning flashing across the sky, lighting the area for a split second before everything returns to its shady black. it wasn't long before the torrential rain hits us.

"Hazel," I whispered. "Hazel I-Holy sh-" I was cut off by the thunderous sound up ahead.

"Argh!" Hazel springs up in her seat.

"Woah, it's ok. Easy, easy..." I pat her arm gently.

"What's going on?" Nick's voice pipes up in the back, he sounds very serious now.

"Huge storm." Is all I can say. "We'll have to get through it or we'll miss the boat."

"To Hell with the boat!" cries Phoebe. "There's NO WAY I'm going through this storm!"

"I agree with her." says Hazel quietly. "Coby, it's far too dangerous, please just take us back." she looks up at me, her large, brown eyes filled with fear. She hated storms, she was absolutely terrified of them.

"Look," I hold her hand tight. "If we go back, the storm will just catch up to us. We can reach the other side if we keep going, and then it'll be over."

She sighs heavily. "Alright."

I speed the car down the road, almost blinded by the heavy downpour. Up ahead the long bridge that carries us across a long, deep ravine looms ahead. Hazel's grip on my hand is slowly growing tighter and tighter, it's beginning to feel numb, but I don't pull away.

"We're going over the bridge now, ok." I speak more to the girls than Nick. "Don't... Don't look down, alright?"

They nod grimly.

The car bumps onto the bridge.