42nd Country Road

Drunk Jack

It was just me. I was alone in the car with people I loved most. How? They weren't conscious.

After driving a few hours, I found an old campground. The tents and campers were still set up perfectly, like everyone was still there. I pulled in and drove around the loop. There were a few campsites right by a large lake. I put the car in park and walked down to the water. I stuck my hand in. It wasn't that cold. I took off my shirt and jeans and waded in. I dove under the surface and let the water's current kiss my face. I went back to the surface to breath. I looked towards the truck and Mark was standing at the edge of the water.

"Oh, hi," I said startled.

"Hi," He said, "Is the water warm?"

"I guess," I said. At that Mark took off his shirt and dove in. He swam over to me.

"Do you know where we are?" He asked

"I don't," I said putting my arms around his neck. He put his hands on my waist. I heard a scream in the distance. I turned to face it. Jack then tumbled out of the truck with a bottle of whiskey in hand.

"What...The hell... Was that," He said in a drunken tone.

"Great," I mumbled. Mark pulled me into a kiss.

"Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it," Mark said. I smiled.

"Thank you," I said. We waded out of the water. Jack started to approach me. Probably because I had no shirt on.

"Wow, Ev you look... smoking," Jack said. Mark came and put Jack back in the car, the sun dancing off the silver paint.

"You're not getting laid with my girl, I hope you know that," Mark laughed

"Oh come on man, why not?" Jack whined. I rolled my eyes and went to get dressed. I slipped my jeans and shirt and walked over to Mark, who had somewhat tamed Jack. He was still drunk but he was more unconscious than conscious. Mark closed the door and walked towards me. I smiled at him. He grabbed my waist and lifted me up.

"Mark what are you doing?" I giggled

"Being the couple you know we are!" He laughed. I giggled in return. He put me down and started to head to the car.

"What are you doing?" I asked. The smile fading from my lips.

"I was going through the car and I found that the stereo still works and there is a CD in here," he said.

"No way," I said. He put it in and an upbeat song came through the car's old speakers. Mark walked over to me, slipping on his shirt in the process.

"May I have this dance?" He said smiling and holding his hand out for me to take it. I laughed and grabbed his hand. He pulled me over to him, spinning me. He caught me in his arms and looked happily at me. He wrapped his arms around me and we danced until the CD was over and the sun set. Then we both fell asleep in the sleeping bags we stole from a nearby tent. End of the world or not, it was the perfect night.

We woke up the next morning at the crack of dawn. I breathed in the crisp morning air. Mark was still so close to me. I looked out to the water and saw Jack standing in it. His reflection bouncing off the surface while the sun painted the picture perfect background behind him. I closed my eyes and cuddled closer to Mark.

"You know, you were brave against Adam yesterday, Ems," Jack said. I opened my eyes and sat up, Mark's arms sliding off my body. His hand now resting on my waist.

"I just said what I had to say," I said

"I couldn't have done that," Jack said

"You could have done a better job than me," I said. He waded out of the water and slipped a shirt on.

"No, you chose those words perfectly. You saved my ass. I might have been dark, but I heard every word of it," Jack said, meaningfully

"And we're here to get you out alive to," Mark said in a gruff voice. I turned around to see his brown eyes. I smiled. Mark sat up and smiled back at me. His nose grazed off of mine.

"You are the light at the end of the tunnel," Mark said

"We are here to protect you and we want you to know that," Jack followed. I laughed and a tear of joy fell down my cheek.

"You don't..." I started

"Yes, we do," They both said. I buried my face in Mark's chest like a little kid. I could feel his laugh.

"You ready to go, baby?" Mark said. Looking down at me.

"I'm ready," I smiled back up at him.