Unexpected car troubles

The first forty minutes of the drive had been a breeze. Despite the never-ending, suffocating jolliness of Christmas music, she enjoyed the trip. It was rare that Madison made it out to the countryside. Even out in the sticks, people decorated their houses with festive lights and beautiful displays. She did notice that almost all of them included Nativity mangers. Maybe it was just her irreligious background, but Madison had put little thought toward the religious significance of the holiday season. The Nativity scenes were cute though and she enjoyed seeing the unique ways people created their own. As she pushed further into the countryside, a strange light appeared on the dashboard of Madison’s car. The engine began sputtering a moment later and she pulled over to the side of the road.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she panicked.

Madison’s car was a hand-me-down from her parents- all the way back in college. It had lasted her 9 incredible years. But all good things came to an end eventually. Wisps of smoke poured out from under the hood. She quickly shut off the engine but the smoke continued. Reaching over for her phone, Madison desperately scrolled through her contacts. She had no clue how to fix a car, or even what to do in this situation- but her dad would. Madison dialed his number. Instead of a ring tone, she heard nothing. Her phone couldn’t get a signal.

“Fuck me,” she slammed her head softly against the driving wheel.

There was no other choice.

Madison exited her broken down car and stood on the side of the road. She began waving at the few cars that passed by. Most ignored her and drove right past. Ten minutes went by. Then twenty. Not a single person stopped to help. Madison was getting cold, frustrated, and anxious.

Unknown to her at the time, an emergency weather alert was being blasted across every conceivable device- tv, phones, radios- all things she did not have current working access to. The big one was coming, a surprise snow storm unlike anything the region had seen in decades. Stopping to help out an unfortunate girl was far too risky with such a looming threat. And so, Madison was abandoned by society.

For the most part.

Just as she considered giving up and returning to her car, Madison spotted a pair of hazard lights flash on. Her mystery savior pulled over to the side of the road, a few feet back from her car.