Stepping inside, I grab a few snacks for the rest of my trip, then walk to the check-out counter to pay for my items.
As she hands me my receipt, I finally get the courage to ask her what I came in to ask.
“Hey… I’m so sorry to bother you, but is there any chance you could call me a taxi? My um car… broke down, just up the road, and I’m just trying to get to a hotel nearby until I can get it fixed.”
“Yeah. No worries, hun. If you want to sit outside, they should be here in about six minutes.”
“Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.”
I exhale slowly as I sit on the curb outside waiting for the taxi to arrive. My head is swimming with thoughts that are too fast to grasp.
Where the hell am I going?
What should I do next?
The beep of a horn startles me from my thoughts.
Well shit. I hope he wasn’t waiting too long. I didn’t even hear him pull up. I give the man a sheepish wave, brushing my pants off, before climbing inside.
“Where to, miss?”
With no plan in place and being too drunk to think straight, I retort the first thing that came to mind.
“The first hotel across the state line.”
The rest I’ll figure out once I sober up. He gives me a quick glance through the review mirror but doesn’t comment on anything, before putting the car in drive and taking off.
The driver keeps trying to make conversation, but I ignore him. Not to be malicious, but I don’t have the energy to put in the effort.
I’m spiraling, I know that.
I can spot the warning signs a mile away by now. Everything is becoming too much again– The emotions, the regret– all of it.
We passed a road sign stating that the state line was five miles away, and my bravado crumbled.
I start reaching for my phone, feeling myself caving. I let out an exaggerated sigh when I remember it’s currently lying shattered on the side of the road somewhere.
What a great fucking idea that was. I can’t help but roll my eyes at my own stupidity.
Maybe the driver would let me use his phone?
Only one way to find out.
“Hey, Sir? Could I possibly use your phone to make a call? I seemed to have left mine, I would make it quick, I promise.”
He doesn’t even hesitate before handing it to me. “Here, take all the time that you need.”
I grab it from him and mutter a quick “thanks” before dialing Atlas’ number. The line begins to ring, and I hold my breath.
If he answers, I’ll turn back around. If he picks up the phone, we can figure it out.
If he doesn’t answer, then I’ll keep moving forward.
It takes eight rings before I reach his voicemail. I feel my heart shatter just a little bit more. Looks like I made the right choice. In that case, I will at least tell him a proper goodbye. When I hear the beep, it alljust pours out. I tell him everything on my mind. I’m halfway through when I hear the sounds of tires screeching. I glance up just in time to see bright lights.
I’m too impaired to comprehend what I’m seeing, but it doesn’t take more than a few seconds before impact.
I hear it before I feel it, the sound of metal crashing into metal.
