Hit the road.

You decide to keep driving. The rain doesn't look like it's letting up, and waiting here isn't getting you anywhere. You take another sip from the cooler then put it in the cup-holder beside you before starting the car and pulling back out on the highway.

You've gone less than a mile when rolling red and blue lights come on behind you followed by a brief burst of a siren. Startled, you pull over, expecting the lights to pass you, and are further startled and a little alarmed when they pull in behind you. You know you weren't speeding, and have no idea why you're being pulled over. You wait, shivering a little in your damp clothes, shivering from both the chill and a bit of trepidation.

You see the officer get out of his car and walk towards you. You roll your window down and put on your most innocent face. To your surprise, you recognize the cop you saw at the store.

"Licence and registration miss," he demands, leaning down to look in the car. You fumble through your purse and find your license, then in the glove compartment for the registration. He looks them both over, then looks at you, his face stern and humourless. "This your vehicle, Miss?"

"No, it belongs to my friend. He let me borrow it for the weekend. I'm meeting some friends for a camping trip." He looks at you without expression, his eyes roaming over the car. You're starting to get more nervous at his attitude.

"Did I do something wrong officer," you ask, trying to keep a quaver out of your voice.

"Have you been drinking, miss?" His eyes flick to the open bottle of cooler in the cup-holder. You flush with embarrassment and alarm.

"I had a couple of sips," you say, holding up the nearly full bottle to show him. "That's all."

"I think you've had a little more than that miss. You were driving erratically for quite a while. I need you to step out of the vehicle."

"But...." you stammer, now seriously worried. He takes a step back from your door.

"Just step out of the vehicle miss."

With trembling fingers you open the door and step out into the rain, biting your lip with anxiety. He looks at your wet shivering body impassively.

"You have open liquor in the vehicle, and I have reason to believe that you are impaired. I'm going to take you to the station where a breathalyser test will be administered. Take the keys out of the vehicle and lock it."

"But I only had a couple of sips," you whimper in protest. He holds up his hand to silence you, his face impassive

"Miss, take the keys out of the vehicle and lock it. I'm taking you to the station where a breathalyser test will be administered." Your shoulders slump in despair at his words. You turn and obey getting the keys out of the car and locking the doors. He holds his hand out for the keys and you timidly hand them to him.

"Walk back to my vehicle miss," he orders, gesturing at his car. Seeing no other choice you do as you're told your heart beating rapidly with your worry. When you reach his car he stops you.

"Place your hands behind your back miss."

"What? Why?" you stammer.

"Prisoners being transported are required to be restrained. Standard policy miss. Place your hands behind your back."

"Prisoner? I didn't do...."

"Miss, I require you to place your hands behind your back immediately." You turn your head in shock at the hardness of his tone. Seeing no alternative, you comply, putting your hands behind your back. When you feel metal cuffs click around your wrist you begin to cry softly. He opens the rear door and assists you in, making sure you don't bump your head. By the time you're sitting down you're sobbing, your body shaking with your fear.