Crazies

The drive was longer than expected but the Audi was comfortable, so Sukie didn’t mind. She preferred the long drive over the party any day.

“Why did I agree to this again?” She asked.

“Simply because you love me and Brent.” Vikki said confidently.

The things I do for this Brent and Vikki duo, Sukie thought as she rolled her eyes.

Sukie looked at the road ahead, then turned on the radio.

“What the heck is this, Vikki?” She asked.

“Hey, my dad likes country music.” She shrugged.

“Oh my. I haven’t heard him singing country songs since we were kids. To each his own.” Sukie shrugged.

She sifted through the stations until she found something good to play and ended up on a throwback R&B station. This station is a little bit better. She thought.

“Oh, someone is in love.” Vikki teased, noticing Sukie was listening to a throwback love song.

“Well, that part we know. But this is just the best station I could find for now.” She said.

“It will do just fine,” Vikki replied, concentrating on the road.

“Are you sure we are still on the right path?” Sukie asked, adjusting her seat then looking back to the road.

“Yes, Su. Relax.” Vikki replied with a smile.

Thick fog filled the path and permeated through the trees. The headlights didn’t create great visibility at all tonight. Vikki seemed completely unbothered by the scene.

Sukie glanced over at the side of the road and followed the trees. Images moved through the night as she watched. One of the images looked like it was following the car. It was extremely fast.

She shook her head and closed her eyes without saying a word, though her heart began to race.

Am I having another episode? Was this a dream or a nightmare? Did I fall asleep and not realize it? She wondered.

She turned her head towards the front of the car, opened her eyes, and screamed!

“Look out!” She yelled.

Vikki smashed her foot on the brakes, as she screamed out. Both of their bodies launched towards the front of the car, only to be held back by the seatbelts that they luckily wore.

“Oh my gosh. Are you ok, Su? What did you see?” Vikki asked, catching her breath.

“I, I don’t know,” Sukie replied.

“What do you mean, you don’t know? Did you see something, Su? What made you scream?” She asked, in a firm tone.

“I saw an image. One has been following the car.” Sukie said truthfully.

“Are you sure, Su? Are you sure it’s not just another episode or dream?” Vikki asked with concern in her voice.

“It could be. I really am not sure. I didn’t want to say anything, but I saw something in the front of the car as well.” She replied.

Vikki sat for a moment like she was thinking. She put the car in reverse and carefully pressed the gas. The car rolled back slowly.

Sukie’s mouth instantly became dry.

“What if we ran over something or someone? She asked.

“Don’t even say that, Su.” Vikki replied, hoping that that’s not what happened.

Vikki rolled back about ten feet and put her foot on the brakes, but they didn’t see anything in the road.

“I am sorry Vikki. I swore I saw something.” Sukie said, annoyed at herself.

“It’s ok, Su. Just promise me we are going to see my grandma as soon as possible. Something isn’t right.” She said, with concern in her voice.

“I promise, Vikki.” Sukie replied.

Suddenly, something hit the car. They both began screaming at the top of their lungs.

A light was shining through Vikki’s driver's side window. She squinted her eyes and looked to see what it was.

“Ma’am. I need to see your license and registration.” A police officer said while showing his badge through the window. They both exhaled at the same time.

“It’s just a cop, Su.” Vikki said as though she was still convincing herself that everything was ok.

Vikki cracked the window less than an inch open. She knew better than to trust anyone while driving at night without her dad. Too many scary things can happen at night on a dark, empty road.

“Yes, officer. I have it all here.” She said.

She reached for her clutch and pulled out her license, pressing it on the window for the officer to review. The officer’s gaze fell on the license and then on Vikki’s face.

“Ok ma'am. Now, provide me with the registration.” He said.

Vikki reached into the glove compartment to comply with the officer’s instructions. She once again pressed the information against the glass.

After the officer was satisfied, Vikki put away the registration.

“What are you ladies doing stopped out here in the middle of nowhere. It’s dangerous.” He said, sounding annoyed.

“I’m sorry officer, we are on our way to a graduation party. We thought we hit an animal or something, so we stopped,” Vikki explained.

The officer directed his light under the car and then behind it.

“Wait, one moment ma’am.” The officer said as he walked towards the back of the car.

“I guess he is running a check on the license plate.” Vikki said, trying to remain calm.

“This is crazy. I am so creeped out, Su.” Vikki said, nervously as she waited for the officer to return.

“Me too Vik.” Sukie replied feeling just as nervous.

The officer walked back to the window after mumbling something on his radio.

“Ok ladies, you are free to go. Be careful out there. Do not stop until you get to where you are going. There are lots of crazies out here.” He said, firmly.

“We will officer. Thank you.” Vikki said as she rolled up the window and drove off.

“That was freaking wild!” Vikki said.

“This one goes in the books for the creepiest senior night ever. Time to go have some real fun and shake off the spooky shit.” She said.

“I agree. Anywhere is better than here.” Sukie replied, as she turned up the music, reclined her seat, and closed her eyes.

If anyone was going to see anything else, it was not going to be me. She thought.