|
|
|
|
|
|
|
against the seat. Her breath gushed hot against his ear. The car rocked away beneath the impact, teetered, and started to fall. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The car seemed to drop for a long time. Then Sandy was smashed up against him, grunting. He felt the tires bounce. And heard a rip and clank and knew at once that the front axel had given out. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'We did it!' Lisa sounded as if she might cheer. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trev grabbed the seatback and pulled himself up. Kneeling between Sandy's legs, he looked out the windshield. The wipers swept back and forth, clearing off the black raindrops. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The car had a tilt, thanks to the axel, but Trev was glad to see the world right-side up again. He smiled at Sandy. Her face was a pale oval that showed white teeth. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'I guess we're still in a fix,' he said. 'But at least we're down.' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The engine had quit. The headlights were still on, driving pale tunnels into the darkness ahead. The car had come to rest near the right corner of the intersection. He peered through the windshield, then through the windows on each side. He saw nobody. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lisa leaned forward and crossed her arms on the back of the seat above Sandy. 'What are we going to do now?' she asked. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
'We won't be driving anywhere,' he said. He crawled backward until the door stopped his shoes. Sandy raised her knees. The trench coat spread open |
|
|
|
|
|