“So, I’m thinking… maybe I’m psychic,” Jack said from the driver’s seat, a slight smile playing on his lips.
The rain lashed against the windshield, mirroring the gloomy mood that seemed to have settled over the day as we drove north on I-89, leaving Boston far behind.
“You? Psychic?” I asked, turning to watch the gray landscape rush by. “That’s a new one.”
I was excited, of course. Packing up my room, stuffing boxes into the already overflowing car, and saying goodbye to my tearful mom and overly proud dad. We’d all agreed to keep the waterworks at home, not on campus, and Jack knew driving me himself would spare me the humiliation of arriving at my new home for the next four years a blubbering mess.
After all, the past twenty-four hours had been a rollercoaster of emotions. But beneath the excitement, a nervousness fluttered in my stomach. I was starting college in Vermont. A new town, a hundred miles away from home. I barely knew anyone there, other than Jack, who’d started two years before me. Would I make friends? Would I fit in?
A reassuring smile spread across my face. At least I’d have Jack.
I glanced over at him, my best friend for almost twelve years. His green eyes were fixed on the road as he hummed along to the radio, a seltzer can perched precariously on the dashboard. He caught my eye and shot me a grin, his hair ruffled by the blast of the air conditioner.
Jack was two years older, but age was just a number. Growing up, his friends had a blast with it, always calling me his “shadow.” I was the tagalong, the kid who wouldn’t quit. But Jack? He’d just shrug it off, maybe shove a bully or two, and that was that. Those two years without him? Let’s just say I discovered a whole new appreciation for solitude… and how much I actually hated it.
I let out a heavy sigh. Finally, now when I needed him, Jack would be just down the road instead of a three-hour drive away.
Yet, even with Jack by my side, a nagging unease lingered beneath the surface of my excitement. Something other than excited butterflies was gnawing at me, a feeling I couldn’t quite name.
“Faye?” Jack’s voice snapped me back to reality. “Hello, anybody home?” He playfully knocked his knuckles against my head.
Oh, right, Jack! What was he saying again? It had something to do with being psychic… I laughed and grabbed his hand, bringing it down to my lap. He let it rest there for a moment longer than usual, his fingers tracing lazy circles on my skin.
“I uh, sorry, zoned out there,” I mumbled, offering a sheepish grin.
“Yeah, that’s been happening a lot,” Jack said, giving me a sidelong glance. “And here I am, going on and on, thinking I had your full attention. My ego is crushed.” He drawled the last word with heavy sarcasm.
“What’s up?” He pinned me with a look. “Don’t even try to lie. You know I can tell.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, sighing. “Just… off. Like something’s shifting.”
I took a deep breath, the confession hanging between us. If it was anyone else, I’d be mortified. But, Jack? I could say anything. I knew he wouldn’t judge.
“Stuff is shifting,” Jack agreed. “New school, new town, new everything. It’s a lot.”
I chewed my lip, trying to convince myself it was just nerves. “Maybe I’m just anxious.”
“And, hey,” Jack said, his eyes suddenly serious. “Take it from me. If I can do it and survive, fairly unharmed, you can too… eventually.”
His words made me laugh.
He dropped his hand from mine and ran his fingers through his wavy, golden-brown hair. “You’ll be fine,” he said. “Plus, you’ve got an advantage. An upperclassman who can buy you alcohol? That’s instant cool.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fantastic, so now I’ll also be known as the weirdo who sees the future?”
“Hey, you were listening!” He grinned. “And if we’re labeling it, I prefer ‘The Prodigy,’ Sounds way cooler.”
A laugh bubbled to my lips. Jack flashed me a smile before turning back to the wheel, his grip tight, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes.
“So, about this psychic thing,” I prodded. “Tell me I’ll be rich and famous, okay? And I’ll call you whatever you want.”
Jack grimaced, his gaze fixed on the winding road ahead. “Not exactly. It’s… grimmer than that.”
“Grimmer?” I gasped, “What’s the point if it’s all bad? Tell your ‘abilities’ I’ll pass until they have good news,” I joked.
Jack chuckled softly, his gaze briefly flickering back to me from the road.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of motion. Something massive, dark, and impossibly fast erupted from the granite median. It slammed into our car, throwing us violently against the passenger door. The world exploded in a blaring sound of screeching metal and shattering glass.
Jack’s body crashed into mine, the air knocked from my lungs. We were tossed back and forth like leaves in a storm, the car a metal cage constantly battered by some unseen force. When the initial shock subsided, I stole a glance out my side window, and my blood ran cold.
The guardrail, our only defense against the precipice of the mountainside, was buckling under the relentless assault. Beyond it, the sheer drop into the rocky mountain chasm loomed below. If the car went over…
Panic clawed at my throat. What in the world was attacking us? A moose? A bear? Why would such a creature target a car in the middle of the highway?
I frantically searched for the source of the attack, my head snapping from side to side. But every time I tried to get a clear look, the car lurched violently, throwing me against the shattered window.
Jack recovered quickly, wrestling with the crumpled door, his movements frantic.
“Jack!” I screamed, “If this goes over—”
“It’s not going to happen!” he cried, his voice sharp.
He yanked on the steering wheel, pressing hard against the gas pedal, his thigh muscles flexing with the strain. The engine revved, and the car lurched forward, then stalled.
My stomach clenched. “We’re going over!”
Tears streamed down my cheeks, blurring the already terrifying scene as rain slashed against the cracked windows.
“Faye, hey! Don’t think like that. Come on, help me with the—” The car slammed against the railing, a violent screech of metal. “Help me with the door!”
I reached across Jack, and together, we yanked on the handle, desperation fueling our movements. “It’s not opening!”
Panic seized us as the car slammed against the guardrail again. The sickly crunch of metal was deafening. My body smacked against the broken window, my breath catching in my throat. The world spun out of control, the icy grip of fear tightening around my heart. I was forced to gaze upon my own possible demise, the deadly drop into the jagged rocks below just waiting for me.
Seriously? This was it? My first day of college hadn’t even begun, and I was about to meet my fate? Talk about unfair!
Then, a spark of defiance coursed through me. This didn’t have to be my destiny. I didn’t have to die like this. Whatever was attacking us hadn’t won yet, and I certainly wasn’t going to give up without a fight.
An energy ignited within me. It surged through my veins, burning bright and intense. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to calm the hammering of my heart, preparing to face our attacker. What could I do? I had no idea, but I had to do something.
Suddenly, the world stilled. The car stopped shaking. Our attacker had… vanished.
Jack and I stared at each other, our breaths mingling in the tense silence. Over the steady rhythm of rain on the roof, time seemed to slow to a crawl. Five heartbeats, maybe six, ticked by before the electronic click of the locks shattered the stillness. The doors swung open, releasing us from our metal prison.
Jack leaped out of the car, his movements sharp and alert. I followed awkwardly, climbing over the center console.
“Holy shit…” Jack bit his lower lip and ran a trembling hand through his hair.
Outside, the extent of the damage was clear. The side of the car was crumpled like an accordion. The passenger door was twisted at an impossible angle. It was clear my side had taken most of the damage.
I went to him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We can fix it when we get to Burlington.”
He stared at the mangled wreckage, face drained of color. Then, his eyes, sharp and intense, found mine.
“Get back in the car, Faye,” he urged, his voice low and urgent.
“What? Are you crazy? We need to call the police!” I protested, reaching into my back pocket for my cell. “…and a tow truck.”
His grip on my arm was firm, unwavering, preventing me from grabbing my phone. He yanked opened the driver’s side door, leaving me no choice. “Forget the cops. Get back in the car. Now!”
I planted my feet, arms crossed, and glared. “No! I – ”
“Faye, this is happening,” he cut me off, his voice tight. “Do you really want me to drag you back in?” he threatened, a glint of steel in his eyes.
I fumbled. I’d never seen Jack like this before. Fear, panic, and desperation hid behind his eyes. He was pleading with me to listen to him. I gave him one curt nod. My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my skin as I clambered back in through his driver’s door, scrambling over the center console again.
Jack hit the locks, his gaze darting to the rearview mirror before he jammed the key into the ignition. “You think this thing is gonna run after that?” My voice cracked.
Jack didn’t look at me. “Call it a hunch.”
He turned the key. The engine roared to life.
“Jack!” My voice was sharp, cutting through the noise. “You know something.” He stared ahead, his eyes fixed on the road. “Look at me!”
“Faye, I don’t know,” he said, finally turning, his eyes desperate. “I just saw this.”
“Yeah, I was there!” I snapped. “I saw it too!”
“No, I saw this.” He gripped the wheel. “I saw this happen. I don’t know what attacked us, but I saw this.”
He looked at me, pleading, like he needed me to believe him. Crazy words, sure. But a dark blur trying to kill us? That was crazy too.
“Okay,” I said softly, touching his arm.“I believe you, Jack. I just don’t get it.”
“Neither do I,” he said. “But we’re in danger,” his voice tight. “We need to go. Now.” He hit the gas.
I was thrown back against my seat as the car jolted forward. Twisting to look back at the winding road, I could have sworn that there, standing in the middle of the highway, shrouded by the dark, swirling storm clouds, was the silhouette of a man.
Author HC Harris 