As if in response to the fear that raced through Marie’s body, branches pounded against the car. One smashed against the back window. The glass shattered leaving a web that reminded her of the spiders Sam had warned of. Just one more thing she used to fear.
“Get down.” Sam called out just as a large branch bashed through the front passenger window. “Mark, crawl into the back. There’s more room there. Mark?” Sam screamed.
“What’s wrong?” Marie looked up from the floorboard.
Sam didn’t have to answer. Between the two front seats Mark’s form lay limp and unmoving across the console.
Another branch pounded on the roof of the car. Others followed, then dark and silence took control and surrounded them. Not even the glimmer of a street lamp offered respite.
Mark groaned.
“Sa… Sam are you alright?” Marie couldn’t bring herself to get up from the floorboard. She savored the quiet, and the faux peace.
“Marie. Get up here.” The determination in Sam’s voice gave Marie no choice, but to obey.
When she looked over the seat, Marie found Sam sitting with Mark’s head in her lap. The hoody she’d given him to wrap around his hand was soaked in blood.
“What can I do?” Marie had no clue how she could help. Mark needed medical attention.
“We have to find one of these cars that still run. Can you hold pressure here, so the bleeding won’t get any worse?”
Marie’s stomach twisted into a tight knot. When she opened her mouth to answer, bitter vomit threatened to spew out. So she shut it and leaned forward.
Sam climbed out of the car once she made sure Marie could keep her hand pressed into the gooey material. A soft rumble announced Sam’s success at finding and starting a motor.
How much gas was in it? Where would they take Mark?
“Come on. Help me move him over.” Sam yanked the front passenger door open. “If we get him to the designated pickup spot, someone is bound to be able to help him.” Sam moved Marie’s hand. “Open the back door, then climb in the front, behind the wheel,” she said.
“I don’t drive.” Marie argued. Strange as that sounded it was true. She’d tried to learn once, but she kept running over the curb. Finally she’d given up. Bill drove wherever they went. It was more fun anyway. She could sit next to him, close her eyes and lean into his shoulder.
“Get behind the wheel. There’s no time to argue.” Mark’s limp form proved more than Sam could manage. She got him out of the front seat, but she couldn’t lift him. “New plan,” Sam called. “Help me, then you can get behind the wheel.”
The thought of driving the car without a license was exhilarating, even though there was no one to cite her. “Bill was going to teach me. He tried, but…” she whispered low enough so nobody, including Sam could hear.
A soft rustling of branches overhead preceded a downpour of soggy leaves. Sam ignored them. “Get over here and help me.” She waited until Marie bent to lift Mark’s feet. “That’s good. Now, easy does it.” They inched toward the car.
: )
Thanks Frankie