The nightmare

"Tell me again how did this happen? I was supposed to sleep peacefully at the back." Nora said looking out of the window.

"You're the youngest, hence the most energetic, and can function on less sleep, that's what Rachel said." Luke said.

"What is she, a grandma?! That's totally unreasonable." Nora said frustrated.

"You can sleep, if you want to." He said.

"No, can't take any risks. Focus on the road." She flung her arm out.

The car was enveloped in silence, which was occasionally broken by Joseph's snoring.

"Hey, let's talk." Nora finally broke the silence.

"What's the matter?" Luke quirked an eyebrow.

"You're yawning way too much, distract yourself." She said. "You know, we could've left in the morning, why now? I mean it's already 11"

"Oh, it's been a long time since I last drove at night, so I wanted to experience it once again." He yawned again.

"Look, I believe I am too young to die. So why don't we just find a place for the night." She looked at him.

"You don't trust me Nora?" He asked.

"No. I don't." She said bluntly. He was speechless for a moment, but then spoke, "Don't worry Nora, you won't die."

"Fine. So tell me the case about Julia." She crossed her arms.

"Umm, Julia? You see, Republican University is one of the major sponsors for the Fare, and Julia she kinda has a reputation. It wasn't the first time she did this, it's just that this time she actually stole a complete project, and you got her." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, so I outdid her, I like it." Nora nodded. "But I am curious, how does she know you? I mean it's your second time here, did you leave any impression or something for her to remember you."

"You don't wanna know that." He sighed.

"Of course I do. Come on tell me, please. I'll not tell anyone."

Luke smiled looking at her face, "Quite interested in me, huh?" She nodded. "Fine, she and I, we have a history."

Nora looked at him with beaming eyes. "Want more?" Luke looked at her face. She nodded again. "Look, she is George's ex girlfriend, I found her cheating on him, and I did what a good friend must do. They broke up soon after, and now she has some grudge on me." He sighed. "That's how I know her."

"Hmm, quite a history." She nodded. "But what happened to George after that? Was he okay?"

"Oh don't worry about that man, he got over it. Also, he kind of knew about the cheating."

"That's bad." Nora sighed.

"Hey, can I ask you something? What do you think about George?" Luke looked at her.

"About George, hmm, he's got a good personality, he's kind and after what you told me he might have a good heart too." Nora said looking out of the window.

"I see."

"So, she does see some good qualities in him. That's good news for him." Luke thought.

"Hey Nora." He called out. She didn't respond. "Nora." He looked at her, and shook his head "So that's why you wanted to talk, huh?" She had dozed off, leaning against the window. "Well, good night and I won't let you die." He said under his breath with a soft smile.

***

It was a long, empty road, which was illuminated by the yellow glow of the street lights. The night was quiet, but the silence was broken by the sound of an engine, of a car which was moving on the seemingly endless road. The car was overtaken by a tank truck, it sped ahead beside it. The truck stayed in front of the car, preventing it to overtake.

The truck abruptly came to a halt and took a sharp turn, the unbalanced mass took over and truck turned over and screeched across the road. The car applied sudden breaks; it was too late. It collided head on with the tank. The people in the front hit the dashboard and at the back fell unconscious. One of them woke up, looking around, all that came into sight was blood and deformed bodies. The person was covered in blood, fresh blood was dripping from the wound on his forehead. "Wake up." His voice shaky, "Hey." He jerked the person next to him, "Wake up."

Something caught his sight, a spark, he blinked to clear his vision, it came again, this time bigger. "Wake up, we have to get out." He panicked. Not a second later, there were a lot of them, the person trembled, "No, wake up." He tried the door, it was blocked. The sparks took over, and the tank exploded, engulfing the car.

"No!" Nora shouted, she jolted awake, perspiring.

"What happened!" Luke was taken by surprise, he looked beside him, Nora was awake, she had broke out in cold sweat. He stopped the car, unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to face her, she had her hands on her ears, she was trembling. "Nora, what's the matter?" He kept his hand on her shoulder, she looked at him, her eyes wide open, fear stricken. "Nightmare?" He asked gently. She nodded. "It'll be fine." He patted her head, "Go back to sleep." She shook her head, "No."

"Hey, it's gonna fine, don't be afraid." He gently stroked her head. She nodded and wiped the sweat on her forehead with her hand and leaned her head against the window.

"Good thing, they had their headphones on, or they would have been awake too." Luke said almost jokingly, Nora didn't respond, she just stared out into emptiness. He sighed, "Then let's hit the road."