PART: 1

Yawning, I rolled down my window, letting the icy wind lick away the warmth of my cheeks, as I fought to keep the thick fog of sleep at bay. Stealing a quick glance at my dashboard, I smiled to myself. Just one more hour and we’re home… just one more hour…. I shook my head, trying to fight my heavy eyelids from closing. This was a battle I hadn’t realized I lost, even when my vision blurred and my eyelids fluttered close…

….Jerking myself awake, I wildly surveyed my surroundings, while my heart thumped a mile per minute. The adrenaline had fortunately woken me up, I gripped the steering wheel tightly in my hands and yanked the car back into place. I drove silently through the darkness, while my heart continued to beat like crazy, until I saw the sign for my exit drawing near and a sigh of relief escaped my lips, quieting my racing heart. I happily turned onto my exit, exit sixteen-B. As I made my way through, I noticed the trees appeared to have twisted inward, like they wanted to cage me in. Knowing it was my sleepy mind playing tricks on me, I looked up into the rear view mirror. Stealing a glance at the backseat to see her undisturbed figure, as her chest rose and fell in rhythmic patterns, smiling, I ripped my gaze away and back onto the twinning road ahead.

Listening to the hypnotic lullabies of the road as the terrain went from a smooth and quiet road to a loud screech, as I transitioned onto the bridge. Thick fog peered to cover either side of the outer bridge, it was a beautiful sight, yet it made me feel a sense of foreboding. I felt much better when I got off the bridge and back onto the road with the forest on-either side me. But that too, was quickly short lived. My relief turned into confusion, exit sixteen-B was back in my line of view. “Can’t be right?” I said aloud, now feeling more awake.

I hesitate for a brief moment, but decided on taking the exit. You’re losing it! I yelled at myself. Ten hours of no sleep, that must be it! Glancing over to Check the GPS, it showed me heading onto the exit. Scratching my head, I waited for that familiar voice of the robotic women to make her annoying appearance. I heaved a heavy sigh when she decided not to speak. Piece of junk!

Going back onto the exit, I passed the bridge once again and went back onto the road. My worries sliding into fear and then panic… exit sixteen-B was right in front of me.