Wheels

I've driven down this road so many times. I feel like it's etched into my brain. Each curve leads into blind turns. But that not's the dangerous part. The trees hug so close to the shoulders that there is little room for error. But I'm good at it. Ever since they put in saner methods of getting down the mountain, no one uses this road anymore. It's like it belongs to me.

It was a Sunday I think, it always feels like a Sunday. I was speeding through the turns late that night. My headlights dipping in and out of the trees. Something inside me made me slow down. I came around the curve and saw her there. She must have been about fourteen. So strange to find her anyone out at this time of night, especially on this road. I slowed to a stop.

"Hey, you need a ride", I asked.

I could see she was hesitant at first. But given the circumstances I was the best shot she had. I was seventeen at the time. She was cute and I admit I was showing off. I zipped in and out of the turns, cutting them harder than usual. She squealed at the force. I was getting cocky. I was never good with girls. She was a bit younger than me. But not by much.

I wanted to talk to her, but I wanted to impress her more. We were making good time, up the mountain. I was already thinking about asking her to park with me for a bit when we got to the top, before bringing her home.

"Slow down up here", she said.

It was one of the last few turns. I let off the gas.

"Right up here is where it happened", she said.

I started scanning the darkness, not sure what she was talking about.

"This is where I got hit", she said.

Immediately I started to chuckle. that story has been around forever. Then, I looked over at her. Her dead eyes stared back at me. Her body was twisted and mangled in the seat. Her mouth was gaped open hanging to one side. Then I remembered.

"I know, I hit you."

The tree was in front of me so fast I couldn't stop. The impact was hard.

It was a Sunday I think, it always feels like a Sunday. I was speeding through the turns late that night. My headlights dipping in and out of the trees. Something inside me made me slow down. I came around the curve and saw her there. She must have been about fourteen. So strange to find her anyone out at this time of night, especially on this road. I slowed to a stop.

 

"Hey, you need a ride", I asked.