Rain (A Short Story)

The pavement was slick with oil and rain. My tires glided across them as if they were not even touching the ground. I was out of control, but a smile streaked across my face.

Something inside me told me to keep going, to push just a little farther. I did, the car began to spin wildly, very similar to a Tilt-A-Whirl ride. Strangely, the smile only grew larger. It seemed that my body was at war with itself. The epic battle of good versus evil. But which side was which? How can I tell?

The rain bounced off my windshield and flew in unpredictable directions as my car made its own path down the road. I head an intriguing laugh echo throughout the car. I look around as if I would see someone in the passenger seat, but there was no one there. Solitude.

The rain falls harder and cuts through the beams of my headlights like bullets piercing flesh. I did not know what would come next, and I was glad. To me this war was something special, something productive. It would not bring about democracy, or international peace; it would bring something far greater.

Two small lights appeared up ahead, quickly growing closer to me. I only saw them for a second, as my car began to take control once again of the road. I felt myself grip the steering wheel, and suddenly I was watching myself from the passenger seat. I was watching me, but I was not controlling me.

I put my foot on the gas pedal, and began to accelerate in the direction of the lights. Fear began to overtake my body.

The war, once thought of as good, was beginning to take a mind of its own. There are no sides of good and evil here, only past, and present. There should be future, but where is it? Suddenly I knew where the future was.

The future was in the oncoming car, quickly decreasing the gap between itself and the present.

I wanted it to stop, but my body would not move. I tried to scream, but no air would even come from my body. I tried to shut my eyes and go in peace, but my eyes could only stare as the once small headlights became 2 tons of steel, glass, and destiny.

I could now see into the oncoming car. I could see my future self at the wheel, and another version of what seemed to be my present self in the passenger seat. I suddenly, without thinking, grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it to the right, hoping to dodge the car, saving myself from myself.

I turned the car, and saw out of the driver's window the oncoming car collide with mine. I was flown forward, through the driver's window. I passed through my present self, my past self, and my future self.

I landed on the cold pavement, unable to move my legs or arms. I could feel them, that was a good sign. The blood mixed with oil from the road and flowed towards the shoulder, soaking into the dirt nearby.

I blinked once, and the war was over. My past, present and future were at peace with one another, as all had become one in the crash.

I blinked a second time, and I could hear sirens in the distance. But they were not for me. I was destined to embrace this pavement until my dying breath.

I coughed, and blood spewed from my mouth. Breathing became more difficult. It was cold, and I could see steam rising from my body, as if it were creating a protective covering over me.

I don't speak. As I lie there in the darknss, the only noise the hissing the large heap of twisted metal nearby, I wondered what it felt like to die. The wonder only lasted for a brief moment, and it was gone.

I could feel my breaths become more shallow, and I am able to slowly move my arm to my chest, I feel blood, and a large wound near my heart. It was as if my soul were leaking out onto this dark, damp road.

I rolled my body over, so that my eyes faced toward heaven. Rain pounded against my face. I didn't care. I was free. A smile once again came across my face, knowing that my last breath was soon. I didn't want to waste that breath. I wanted it to be the most special breathe of my life. I inhaled, and closed my eyes.