Narrow Paths

Chapter Five

It was a long time before headlights filled my room with light. I unlocked my window and hopped out onto the ground. I half ran to Darcy's car and got into the passenger side.

She laughed and without a greeting began to drive back toward town. The drive to Union City would take a solid half an hour, so I knew we'd have time to talk.

"Figured out what I mean yet?"

"I haven't thought about it all that much today," I admitted.

She turned on the radio. The song Blown Away was just ending as she turned the volume up.

"I knew you wouldn't. I'm giving you a nice little distraction with this party."

"Yes, you are. But the real question is, what are you trying to distract me from?"

She laughed and shook her head. There was an air of confidence about her that hadn't been there last night.

"It's not my main goal, honestly. I'm just trying to have some fun. You seem like a guy who could use some fun, Carter."

"My life is boring as hell," I admitted.

"I assumed as much."

An uncomfortable silence fell between us and I cleared my throat in an attempt to break it. She shook her head, her eyes focused on the road before us.

"So, who's party are we going to?"

"Does it matter?" She asked.

"Not really, I'm just curious."

"I'm proud of your curiosity, but it's kind of annoying."

"Proud?" I repeated.

She laughed again. "You're learning to question things. That's my main goal."

"What do you want me to question, exactly?"

"Just day to day life. Tomorrow when you wake up, I want you to wake up with questions. Why are you doing this, why are you doing that? You'll be surprised at just how many times you're unable to answer the question."

"Some things will be obvious."

"Of course," she murmured. "Life is obvious, sometimes."

"I see what you mean, though, to approach tomorrow with questions. I'll try to remember. Maybe it will help me figure out what you've known for a while."

"It's going to be hard for you to figure it out and come to terms with it. It's going to hurt."

"How?"

"Your whole future is going to become a giant, unanswerable question."

"That sounds like a promising prospect."

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Carter."

"I've been told that before."

She smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. She seemed to know just how interested I was in the conversation and in turn showed complete indifference.

During the day, Union City was a proper, respectful city. At night, however, it had its far share of drug deals, arrests, and theft. When you considered the fact it had only started out as a small town built around a railroad, you had to admit that it was doing pretty good almost seventy years later.

The city was lit up with what seemed to be a sea of neon lights. We drove straight toward downtown. Loud music, shouts, and laughter punctuated the air around the street. The clubs that lined both sides of the street were filled with people.