Love and Death

The Road

Elizabeth was aware of that truth every day she carried around the secret that Eugene had shared with her. . Nick is willing to do it all, ask Elizabeth to marry him and keep her from going away for College.

"Nick is treating me like a queen these days."

"Doesn't that make you suspicious?"

"Why should it? He's helping me remember all the reasons why I loved him."

- - - - - - -

On the night of the game, Eugene and Alexia sat in the backseat of Nick's car.

"There's a blanket on the floor, the heater is not working. But I don't think the two of you'd mind covering up with a blanket. And no one in the front seat's going to be looking back there. If you know what I mean."

Alexia didn't like his insinuation. Eugene tucked the blanket around them. "We'll behave."

Elizabeth offered her a candy bar. "Want some? It's dinner for me. I got tied up at the nursing home I told you about."

"Why do you even waste your time in that place?" Nick said.

"Don't talk like that. They are old people who needs extra help."

"They are old people who can't do anything for themselves."

"You just don't get it. There's this old man; Mr. Park. He's been there for five years and he's never once had a visitor."

"Whatever. Like I care."

Alexia felt sorry for Mr. Park and wondered why Elizabeth never realized the fact tat Nick didn't care about the things she did. It was obvious to everyone, except Elizabeth. She acted clueless.

- - - - - - -

Cold, white moonlight sparkled of the fields. Tress in the open fields poked bare, lonely branches into the dark sky. Alexia wondered, will she and Eugene still be together at College? And would Elizabeth will get married to Nick?

In the backseat, Alexia wrapped the blanket tightly around her and Eugene. Nick turned the radio music up loud. The car cruised down the long, straight highway.

Alexia saw a flash of headlights in the rearview mirror. She blinked.

"What's this guy's problem? He's jamming us."

"So what?" said Eugene.

The car pulled up alongside them, keeping even with their bumper as the group of teenagers mess with them.

"Ignore them. Hey, Nick, back off, okay?"

As Nick slowed, the other car cut in front of them and slowed dramatically.

"They are begging for trouble."

"Don't, Nick!" Elizabeth said. "Just let them go on."

"I'm passing them."

"Back off. He'll just speed up again if you try."

Alexia gripped Eugene's hand. Prayed.

"No! Don't!" Elizabeth cried.

For a few seconds, Alexia felt as if the car had grown wings and they were flying. Then suddenly the world turned upside down. Glass rained. Metal crashed. Someone screamed. And it went dark.