I’m straining with all my might to compel this horrifically sluggish body into action, and it’s only now that I realize I’ve felt this way before, just never in reality. This is the sensation of nightmares, that suffocating quicksand pacing that somehow manifests in only the most hideous dreams.
“Huuuh,” I finally groan. I manage to open and close my mouth a few times, as if stretching my lips might somehow make the words easier to form, but my next attempt is just as awkward. “Yuh! Ya!”
The skater furrows his brow. Seconds later, his expression abruptly shifts and he starts to laugh. “Holy shit.” He chuckles. “You’re so fucking wasted.”
Behind him, way down the lane, another figure emerges from the shadows. There’s no question who’s sauntering toward me this time, the faint light of the alleyway just enough to make his sequin-covered outfit sparkle under the luminous moon above.
Regret swells as I’m suddenly forced to acknowledge that I’ve brought someone into this who never should’ve been involved. Eddie claimed he’ll let me go after our night is finished—a claim I’m still deeply skeptical of—but what about some random skateboarder?
Realizing I won’t be able to explain much with my words, I return my efforts to the horn. I’m not sure what good it will do, but if I can muster up any warning at all, I’m willing to give it a shot. Maybe I can get the skater to look back and see Eddie coming, or even draw the attention of nearby neighbors.
With this final push, I somehow manage to lower my hands. The pad at the center of my steering wheel compresses as I brace for the ear-splittinghonk.
Nothing happens.
No sound fills the alley. No blurt of compressed air causes the skater to jump in alarm and then take off running—just silence. I slam all my force down on the horn again and again, tears filling my eyes as adrenaline overwhelms me.
“Hey there, Evel Knievel,” Eddie calls out. “Why don’t you come over here so I can talk to you for a minute?”
The skater’s expression immediately changes, confusion disappearing as he turns and walks away from me. Crawling tentacles of dread slowly wrap themselves around my heart, tightening their grip.
I helplessly watch as Eddie and the young man have a conversation in the shadows, but the longer I watch, the more my fear begins to slip away. For some reason, I expected Eddie to be upset, but based on his expression I’d say he’s anything but. Eddie is actually laughing now, patting the skater’s shoulder.
The young man seems equally thrilled. He gestures wildly as Eddie nods along, then shrugs, then sayssomething to make the young man grin. The skater puts his fist to his mouth in an exaggerated display of enthusiasm.
Finally, Eddie turns and strolls back to me. He opens the door and climbs in as the scent of popcorn floods my nostrils.
“I disconnected the horn,” Eddie says flatly. “I did it at the diner, before we got back in the truck. Remember when I told you I’m in control here?”
“Yes.”
Eddie shifts in the passenger seat, looking directly at me now. His smile is nowhere to be found. “You should’ve listened,” he says.
“I—I’m sorry,” I stammer.
Eddie holds my gaze for a moment, then softens as he throws his hands up in a shrug that roughly translates toC’est la vie.
“It’s partially my fault,” Eddie admits. “Ireallyshould know better by now, I should, but I always like to give you little fuckers the benefit of the doubt. It’s a lot more pleasant this way, and honestly, it’s not my intent to hurt you. Iloveyou, believe it or not.”
I want to ask what the hell he’s talking about, but quickly discover Eddie’s previous command for no questions hasn’t quite worn off yet. Instead, I just grunt.
“You may ask questions.” Eddie sighs, annoyed. “Speak.”
The words suddenly erupt from within me. “What the hell are you talking about?” I blubber. “What is this?”
“That’swhat you wanted to ask?” Eddie scoffs. He shakes his head and faces forward again, still talking, but chattingwith himself now. “Therealquestion is, should I pick up my new outfit at the start of the night or the end, you know? You’d think that should come last, just to avoid situations like this, but after all these years I still thinkfashion firstis the way to go. Gotta make sure your chorus hook is killer before you go fucking around with the verses.”
My eyes drift over to the skater, who now stands awkwardly in front of the truck, his body shrouded by night.
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Eddie assures me. “Honestly, tonight’s gonna be much more fun now, and what’s the point of living if you’re not gonna have some fun? You know?”
“What did you say to him?” I ask, my eyes still locked on the young man standing before us.
“No spoilers!” Eddie says. “Just remember,Itried to play this differently. I wanted a nice, easy night, but now we’re gonna shift gears. Alright … turn on the lights. Don’t try to escape. Don’t drive away. Just watch.”
Eddie hands me the keys and I immediately put them to use. Our vehicle roars to life, bathing the young man before us in the lights’ yellow glow.
“Aaaaand spotlight up!” Eddie shouts, gleefully clapping his hands together.
