He was driving way too fast.
‘Are we there yet?’ called a plaintive voice from behind.
The tyres protested as he swerved this way and that.
‘Are we there yet?’ cried the little voice.
His ears were assaulted by the staccato rattling of rain on the windscreen. Gusts of wind hurled the car left then right as he fought to stay on the road.
‘Are we there yet?’
A fluttering owl shot towards him. He stamped on the brake and skidded to a halt.
‘Are we there yet? whimpered the little voice.
He spun around and gazed into an empty seat. No-one there. He began shaking. He was imagining things. Yes.
A Beethoven sonata wafted from the radio as he set off again passing the village pub then the crooked red post-box. Almost home.
‘ARE WE THERE YET?’ yelled a voice.
The headlights lights went out. Darkness. Pitch darkness.
.
A ringing telephone brought him to his senses with a start.
Ring-ring.
It had just been a stupid dream.
Ring-ring.
He stood and crossed the room
Ring-ring.
He picked up the phone and pressed it to his ear.
‘Are we there yet?’ whispered a voice. ‘ARE WE THERE YET?’ it shrieked.
Sunday Photo Fiction is hosted by Susan Spaulding. To read what others have written this week, click on the blue amphibian!
Thanks to Anurag Bakhshi for the photo. I’ve taken the liberty of reversing the picture as we drive on the left in the UK! I’ve also moved forward 12 hours or so!
Should he drive under influence or when he is not well? Probably not.
Not to be recommended and fortunately, he wasn’t as it was all a dream. Thanks for dropping by.
Still dreaming, or something more ominous?
Creepy stuff, Keith
More ominous I’m afraid! Cheers
Now you have us all wondering… Well spun tale!
That’s what I like! Thanks Christine.
Scary stuff. An evil spirit, or a glimpse at a tragic past. Tense read Keith.
In my first draft he’d caused an accident in which his child had died, but I couldn’t get it down to 200 words with out cutting that bit out. So yes, a tragic past! Chere Iain
Wow! You outdid yourself with this one, Keith!
Thanks so much for your kind words Reena.
Oh, man! What a horror story. I love it. Great pacing to keep just enough fear building to the end.
Thanks so much
Love a spooky story.
Loved this, the creepiness and horror notwithstanding. Well written Keith.
Thanks so much Neel
Quelle Horreur – could see that being part of a horror plot … not nice! Cheers Hilary
So could I and so could he!. Thanks Hilary.
Nightmares and then hallucinations — does not bode well for him.
It certainly doesn’t. Thanks Mimi.
Give folks a curve in the road and they’ll offer up curve balls!
Well done.
Thanks for the link.
Perfectly put! Cheers Jules
until the last my heart reads are we there yet.. scary and tensed read
As intended! I am pleased it worked! Thanks so much
This is rather a scary tale, not bed time reading, if one wants to sleep.
I wrote it before I went to sleep – imagine that!
Well crafted tale, Keith. Creepy too. I agree with Michael, not a bed time tale, for sure 🙂
Certainly not! Thanks Deborah
You’re welcome 🙂
He should just reply- It’s the journey, and destination 🙂 And I can’t believe you actually flipped the pic for the driving side. Ha ha ha ha ha.
Maybe he should. Pleased you noticed the pic-flic – the original made me feel uncomfortable!
Being from India, it troubles me too, especially when I see it first-hand 🙂
*not the destination.
Creepy eerie and disturbing! Very well done Keith
Much apprecciated, thank you.