She called him again.
“Mia?” Caleb’s voice was tight. “I just missed a call. Where are you? Is everything okay?”
“I’m okay,” she said, though her hands still shook. “The van died. I hit a tree. I’m stuck on the county road into town.”
“Are you somewhere safe?”
She looked around. No houses. No traffic. Just trees and sunlight. “As safe as I can be, I guess.”
“Stay put,” he said. “Don’t move. Lock the doors. I’m on my way.”
Mia locked the doors and leaned back, reflecting on recent events. There had been highs and lows lately, but somehow, the lows were winning.
She was lost in depressing thoughts until she heard the low hum of an engine. Relief flickered. Caleb was here.
No, a sedan slowed as it approached the van. Her pulse kicked up.
The driver rolled down his window. Middle-aged. Baseball cap. Nothing immediately threatening.
“You okay there?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she replied, keeping the door locked. “Help’s on the way.”
He studied her for a second longer than she liked. “Car trouble?”
“Ran out of gas,” she said. The lie slipped out. Easy. Safer.
He nodded as if he didn’t quite believe her. “Happens out here.” He hesitated and then gave a small shrug. “Good luck.”
He pulled back onto the road and drove off.
Mia watched the taillights disappear as the sound of his engine faded and the quiet crept back in.
Mia didn’t relax until he was gone.
Minutes later, a familiar truck came into view, moving fast. It slowed when it reached her.
Caleb was out of the cab before the engine fully stopped.
“Mia.” He crossed to her door quickly, scanning her as she got out and then the van. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m okay,” she replied. “Just shaken.”
He crouched, checked the front bumper, then straightened. “What happened?”
“The van just died. The dash lights came on, but the engine won’t turn over. I think it’s the battery.”
Caleb frowned. He popped the hood, leaned in. After a moment, he glanced back at her. “Turn the key.”
She did. The engine didn’t respond.
“That’s not a battery issue,” he said. “No click. No struggle.”
Her stomach dropped. “It’s not?”
He closed the hood and walked back to the driver’s side, peering in. “Gauge said half a tank.”
Caleb opened the gas cap and paused. He leaned in, then straightened slowly.
