nowhere

part i

Rolling out of the Italian restaurant, best friends, Alaska and Hazel, just finished a rich, but delicious meal of mozzarella sticks, sourdough bread and pasta.

Trudging over to their jet black and peach colored Mini Cooper, they stepped into the car. Alaska started the engine which had a soft rumble. Pulling out of the parking lot, the best friends started driving back to their campsite.

Today was a long day. They hiked Mist Trail, took tons of waterfall pictures and walked about seven miles. The two girls were exhausted and felt relieved that they were finally getting back to their site.

"Do you want to choose the music?" asked Alaska, turning on Bluetooth.

"Nah, I'm good with whatever. You can choose."

"Okay..." mumbled Alaska.

She put on her favorite band, Sonic Youth.

"Is this good?"

"I don't care, I just want to get back to our campsite." yawned Hazel.

As they drove onward through the darkness, the rain started pouring harder and harder. The headlights did not help as much as they should.

Now, Alaska wasn't just anxious about getting back, but also about getting hopelessly lost in the dark, rainy forest. Not to mention, her body feeling exhausted...

Alaska's hands started to stick to the wheel due to her clammy hands as the rising feeling of stress teared at her heart.

While rocking out to Dirty Boots, Alaska heard a voice that wasn't part of the song.

"Stop, STOP!" it cried.

Hazel quickly turned her head towards Alaska.

"Was that you?" she whispered.

"No, it must have been from outside. I'm going to stop."

Alaska took a deep breath and put a halt on the breaks.

A man in what seemed like his early twenties walked up to the driver's window.
Alaska glanced at Hazel and she nodded.
Cautiously rolling down the window, the two young women saw a man who wore a baseball cap walk up to them. What seemed like his girlfriend stood a few feet behind him.

"Excuse me, ma'am. Our car just broke down and we need to jump start it. Do you have any jumper cables?"