Spooky that’s what it is. Down- right spooky.
I shouldn’t have stayed so long at the party.
Shouldn’t have drunk “just one more.” What did they care all safe and snug in the warmth of their beds? I’m the one that has to drive home in the wee, small hours of the morning—alone.
Damn trees, so friendly in the daylight, but in the dark—ominous, live spirits. Their naked bodies and skeleton arms reach out to catch the door handle of my weary yet spunky, baby-shit- green VW bug. Hit the gas! Ha! Missed me. Long, brittle fingers only rake the fender.
Heart pounding now, blood roaring in my ears, I check the rear-view mirror praying for pin pricks of light to appear, to reassure me I haven’t fallen into some scene straight out of the Twilight Zone. Home is only a few miles away. But the road stretches before me like a slimy, slippery black snake. Will it never end? Even the full moon is evil, hanging there in the inky sky—one giant orange eye keeping pace with me as I speed even faster down the serpentine road.
What’s that? High beams catch an iridescent glow and reflect back in a blinding, white light. A person? A deer? Big Foot ? All shimmering and silver the little figure glides toward me. Slam on the brakes! Screeching like a banshee from hell, smelling like black, hot tar they catch hold. The seat beat locks, snaps me flat against the faded, Tinker Bell seatcover.
The little grey stares. Huge, onyx eyes shine like glassy black orbs in the night.
A terrified heart hammers my ribs fighting to escape my heaving chest. Guts twist into knots. Sweat pops on my forehead.
A light so brilliant my eyes ache pierces the dark. An eighteen-wheeler! A blessed truck driver! I’m saved.
An eerie deathly- silent yet haunting hum. Then nothing!
Blackness surrounds me. No little gray man. Gone.
Reality or imagination?
Woohoo! Awesome. That's why when partying in Booger County, one should always overnight and drive home in the safe light of day!
ReplyDeleteWow Ruth, that was gripping! Yes, I agree with Luna. Booger county is no place to be on the road at wee hours even if you haven't been drinking.
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm not driving after dark in Booger county ever again. Not ever!
ReplyDeleteWell! That scared the starch right outa my spine--you won't catch me drivin' alone in the dark, EVVV-ER again! Great, spooky story, Ruth.
ReplyDeleteLuna,Madison,Pam, & Palooski65-that is why I do spend the night and drive home only during the light when I go to Booger County. However, there are times coming home from crtique group that Benton County is just as scary and I wonder if the "little gray men" are watching.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the comments.
Luna,Madison,Pam, & Palooski65-that is why I do spend the night and drive home only during the light when I go to Booger County. However, there are times coming home from crtique group that Benton County is just as scary and I wonder if the "little gray men" are watching.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the comments.
Wow, Ruth! Scary story, but I especially liked: "But the road stretches before me like a slimy, slippery black snake," and "Even the full moon is evil, hanging there in the inky sky—one giant orange eye keeping pace with me as I speed even faster down the serpentine road." You captured the fright of a lonely country road perfectly!
ReplyDeleteJan,
ReplyDeleteI'm speaking from experience here. Sometimes driving home from group, I feel this way. I really do expect to see Big Foot or a little gray man from space walking down the road. It is spooky!
thanks for the prompt and the comment
*whimpers*... but... but... I'm new here in this part of the world, and getting ready to drive alone to groups in the not too distant future... *whimpers again* Should I be scared now or later??
ReplyDeleteSeriously, a VERY real and vivid picture was painted in my mind...
Was lovely to meet you at the convention yesterday. I hope to see you when I get around to coming to the critique group soon :)