Gloaming

Oh s**t

Cynthia's point of view.
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The drive was going to take 20 hours, according to google maps.

So we had a system going.

I would drive for 1 hour, then Kenya would drive for 1 hour, Octavia would read the map.

This system was pretty efficient.

"Kenya it's your turn" I say as I started to pull over. My eyes were focused on the road.

Silence.

Kenya didn't respond.

As I pull the car over, I look to my side and see Kenya sprawled on her seat, her soft eyes closed, and her long black hair eating the seat. Her blanket had slipped off of her, leaving it on the car floor next to her backpack.

I look behind me only to see Octavia staring at me, curious of how I would handle the situation.

I look back at Kenya.

I start the car and drive.

Octavia keeps reading the directions, making the journey significantly easier.

I kept driving, even if my eyes felt heavy, even if my shoulders ached, even if my feet were painfully asleep.

I just kept going.

"I'm tired" says Octavia about an hour after I took Kenya's turn.

"Me too" I reply.

I start looking around for parking when I notice a Home Depot nearby.

I pull into a parking spot.

I sit there for a second and sigh.

My whole body ached.

"Octavia you are going to sit in the front and take about a 2 hour nap. Kenya will drive, and I'll give directions."

"Ok, thank you" She chirps sweetly.

I undo my seatbelt, it makes a click then a low to high pitched noise as it moves back into its normal state.

"Kennnyyyaaa" I say as I shake her awake "Keennnnnyyaaa"

Her eyes blink open.

"Hey" I say to her "your going to have to drive now, I let you sleep in."

She stretches.

"Alright" She says with disappoint lingering in her voice.

All three of us leave the car at once, making sudden noise.

We all jump into our new seats.

Octavia in the front with the blankets, me in the back with the maps, and Kenya in the drivers seat.

"Ready for take off?" Asks Kenya, trying to assure if we are all strapped in.

"Yup" I say.

"Yes" Octavia whispers as she gets comfortable.

Kenya starts the car, we all prepare to leave.

POP.

A loud pop startles all three of us, making us jump, but we think nothing.

Kenya attempts to drive.

"The car feels weird!" She says.
"It's not moving!"

I exit the car.

Then I see it.

A bullet pierced our tire.

"Oh shit" I whisper to myself.