Car

Getting out of nowhere had always been difficult. We at least needed a vehicle of sorts. Sitting in my bed, I pondered these issues.

“I can drive.” He said, looking at me.

He could drive? He couldn’t even read! How could I trust him behind the wheel? Was I willing to risk my life for this trip? Was cute home décor worth more than my own mortality?

“What will you drive?” It was. It was worth more than my life.

“My dad has a car.” He said, looking down at his nails.

“You’re just going to take it?” I questioned.

“Yes”

We were sitting in a car. Him behind the wheel. The wheel in front of him. Could his feet even reach the pedals? Did he even have a license? I couldn’t bring myself to ask, I really didn’t want to know. The car we had taken was an 1884 “La Marquise.” We were practically driving a wagon. If he was driving badly... and driving this... we’d really stand out! How fast can this thing even drive?

The car began to move, very slowly. It spewed out large black clouds of smoke. Was it running on coal? We had already exited the neighborhood, turning left brought us onto a long mountain side road.

The sky had always been dark here. Always painted in large dim strokes of grey... the only way light entered this area was through the lose stray cars driving by. I turned toward him. He seemed focused. His hair was pulled out of his face and into a ponytail. His lips slightly pursed and his brow furrowed.

“Have you ever driven on a road like this before?” I asked.

“I’ve never driven before.” He stated.

He had never been behind any wheel up until this moment? He had never driven an average car, let alone this wagon of a machine! My nerves increased. I felt like we’d die at any moment. Would I have a heart attack? Perhaps I’d pass out? But I couldn’t! I didn’t want him to think of me any less than he already did!

“Heh... where do you even find a car like this...?” I tried to save any remnants of conversation left.

“...” He didn’t say anything.

Was my babble distracting him from safe driving? Did he need to focus? Would we die if he didn’t? Had I risked my life when I had questioned him before? He had responded as well; his attention must’ve been off the road! Even if it was only a moment...

I looked around the car. I needed something to focus on! The car had no roof. It was open air. It was full of dusty old machinery... I never had any interest...

We started driving off the road, the car began turning far to the left.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING? THE LEFT! GO TO THE RIGHT!” I yelled.

“I CAN’T THE WHEEL WON’T MOVE!” He cried.

“TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS!” I yelled.

“I DID! IT’S STILL MOVING!” He cried

I moved quickly over to the steering wheel. I put my hands on it and began trying to turn it. It wouldn’t turn! The pedal was stuck... It was completely stuck! I hadn’t thought of it... but we were on a mountain! The road was on a mountain! We were going to fall into the endless pits of these mountains! We couldn’t survive that! How would we ever get back up the mountain? What was even down there? I began crying, uncontrollably. Home décor wasn’t worth this! Why hadn’t I realized?

“I’m sorry!” I yelled, sobbing.

He didn’t say anything. He only looked ahead.

The car hit the railway.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t want us to die this way!” I sobbed.

All he did.

He reached for the door.

He opened the door.

He stepped out of the car.

How hadn’t I noticed? The car had been moving at a mile per hour this entire time!

I climbed over to the driver's side and stepped out onto the pavement.

I walked away from the car and toward him. We stood next to each other. Watching the car make its slow descent. I looked down toward him. Tears fell from his eyes and streamed onto his face. Of course, he had just destroyed his father's car. Anyone would feel upset. It was natural, anticipation of someone's anger was always terrifying.

But what if he never went home? What if he’d never have to see him again? He’d never have to face it. If he stayed with me. I reached out, my arm shaking. I grabbed his hand awkwardly. It was warm.

I felt foolish for worrying. It wouldn’t have even been bad, if we had both died at that moment. We were together. Our souls connected. Our hearts interlocked. That’s all I could ever wish for; all I could ever dream of! All of my desires would be met, I wouldn’t find anything more pleasurable. I needn’t anything else.

Our hands remained interlocked. In silence we watched the car fall. It was old. He didn’t need it anymore. He had me. I could buy him a new one. I could give him anything. I’d meet all his desires. He didn’t need them anymore... if he could be happy with me, and only me. I could give him that. I knew I could. His life could be that. I could love him. He could love me. He could forget them. He could forget the car... he could forget every other car ever! He could forget this street... he could just stay at home, with me!

The car fell off the edge.