Houston by Night

A full moon hangs over the sky illuminating the dirt road ahead. Some love ballad is playing on the radio, periodically cut out by loud static. The noise from the music, and road, sounds muffled in your ears. There's only one thought in your mind right now, getting the hell out of dodge. Though it wasn't a recent thought, acting upon it seemingly out of nowhere was. Stealing away in the middle of the night was never part of the plan. However, given the recent circumstances it became all but necessary. Tightening your grip on the steering wheel, you absentmindedly lower your foot further on the pedal. The desire to leave as quickly as possible spurring your actions. You continue on for some time, making good distance as you travel.

Nevertheless, you inevitably feel yourself growing weary. After all, you never had planned to leave this evening, let alone at this hour. Your eyelids start to grow heavy, the dark road ahead blurring. Blinking rapidly, you shake your head sharply. In another 30 minutes or so you'll reach the outskirts of your destination. Refocusing your thoughts on this, you will yourself to stay awake. Unfortunately, after another few minutes your eyes begin to drift closed again. Taking a deep breath in, you slowly reopen them. Immediate fear rushes your body at the sight of a pair of headlights straight ahead. Panicking, and fearing the worst, you reflexively jerk the steering wheel to the side. The sound of brakes screeching, followed by the horrible wrench of metal bending, are the last thing you remember before passing out.

Moments later, something stirs inside, giving you just enough strength to regain some level of consciousness. Maybe it's the tense, throbbing pain that's slowly flooding your senses. Or perhaps the vague essence of smoldering fumes that's invading your nostrils. Regardless, you're present enough to be aware of a new sensation. Something pulling you, perhaps away from the wreckage. As you're being moved you take note of something; your face doesn't feel quite right, it's suddenly painfully difficult to lift your eyelids. Groaning softly, you strain in a continued effort to see. As you're set back down, you finally manage to **** your eyes just barely open. You're met with the cloudy form of someone before you. Unable to move, your eyes weakly slip closed again, as what feels to be a hand gently brushes sticky hair from your face.

The small gesture gives you momentary reassurance. That is until the other hand swiftly wraps around your already bruised arm. Startling visibly, you're too weak to fight back as sudden pain floods your neck and shoulder. The discomfort is followed by unexpected warmth flooding your body. The sensation continues to envelope you, seeming to spreading through every one of your veins. For a moment all strength returns to your form. Sitting up, your eyes snap open without a trace of effort. A guttural, wheezing gasp leaves your throat and with it what feels like every last ounce of your breath. As your eyes rapidly attempt to regain focus, the briefest of an impression seizes your observation. Then, all at once the moment passes. Every last modicum of strength evaporates almost instantly. Your form goes limp and as your eyes begin to flutter closed, you catch a final glance of the figure before all fades to black.