Adjustments

Adjustments 9

Sarah

10:45 p.m.

I have no idea where I am. It's dark and Noah's been driving for almost twelve hours. He won't tell me where we're going and it's kind of scaring me.

"Noah?" I ask.

"What?"

"Will you tell me where we're going?"

"No need." He says stopping the car. "We're here. We've been here for about two hour driving in circles."

"Why didn't you stop earlier?"

"I didn't want to." So, driving is his escape? I need an escape like that. I guess my music is my escape, sort of, but... I wish I had something like that. Noah opens his door and comes around my side. He opens my door and reaches for my hand. I look up and stare into his eyes. I feel as if I'm drowning in them. What is this? What am I doing?

I take his hand and get out of the car. He has a nice car. One of those old black Corvettes from the 90s. My thoughts escape my mind when the car door make a loud noise due to Noah closing it.

"My bad." He whispers. He's cute like that.

It's pitch black outside and he's walking with me through some path. It doesn't feel like the woods, just feel like outside. It smells like nature, that earthy, dirt smell. Suddenly, Noah lets go of my hand and sits on something. It sounds like he's swinging on it.

"Do you have your phone?" He asks me.

"No. I left it in the car." I answer. I didn't feel the need to bring it with me.

"I'm glad."

"Why?" I say, backing up.

"You trust me. That's a good thing."

"Do you have a flashlight or something?" He then turns on a flashlight and reveals an empty swing next to his. We're in a park.

"Take a seat." He says. I do as he commands.

I feel like a little girl again, innocent and free. Flashbacks of my mother swinging me on a baby swing cloud my mind. I hear her singing one of her favorite lullabies to me. Then I feel Noah shake my leg.

"What?" I say, coming back to reality.

"Are you alright? I asked you a question and you didn't say anything." Noah says with his hand resting on my thigh.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm..." Rapidly and ghost like, my mother comes into my peripheral vision. "Actually no, I'm not."

"What's wrong?" I can't respond. I have no words! My mother... I'm not supposed to see her. She's dead!

"Sarah, talk to me!" He says.

"Can we go somewhere where there's... I don't know, people o-or light?" I ask. Noah takes my hand and begins to lead me to the car. It feels like the path will never end. I need heat and an engine!

All I hear is my name. I look at Noah and see he is concentrating on walking to the car, not talking. I hear my name again. It sounds faint, almost air like.

"Can we walk a little faster please?" I say in a panic.

"I'm going as fast as I can."

It's getting closer and louder. I just want to scream!

"STOP!" The haunting voice yells. I let go of Noah's hand and stand still. He turns and gazes at me.

Noah

She's staring straight ahead at the invisible air. I walk over and shake her shoulders.

"Sarah, snap out of it!" She doesn't respond. The wind suddenly gets stronger. This is getting really creepy.