Chapter 25

 

If things had looked bad before, by morning, they were horrible.   When Nick awoke, he found that his ankle had nearly doubled in size with swelling, and it still throbbed painfully. 

 

The rain had stopped, at least, but the sun was now out, beating it’s hot rays down on them, and making the car a very hot and uncomfortable place to be.  With the engine not working, the air conditioning couldn’t run either, and even rolling down the windows provided minimal relief from the heat, which would only get worse as the day progressed.

 

On top of that, Nick and Angela’s need for supplies was becoming more desperate.  They hadn’t had any food or water for nearly two days, and it was beginning to affect them.   Nick’s stomach pained with hunger, making him weak and nauseous feeling.   His dry throat burned with thirst, and his lips had become dry and chapped, a sign that he was dehydrated.   Why didn’t we think to collect rainwater in something? Nick wondered, feeling like an idiot.  But it was too late now.  The sky was sunny and cloudless, providing no hope for rain.

 

The only good thing Nick could think of was that maybe now that the weather was good, someone would drive by, see them, and get them help.  That was the hope that he refused to let leave his mind.

 

***

 

The day passed slowly, and no one came by.   “What is wrong here?” Nick wondered aloud.  “Why does no one drive down this road?”

 

“I don’t know,” Angela answered softly, her voice weak. 

 

“How are you doing?” Nick asked.

 

She shrugged.  “My leg hurts, I’m hungry, thirsty, and sick and tired of being here.  How about you?” she replied dryly.

 

“Ang, I’m sorry,” Nick said, feeling suddenly guilty.  If only he had been more careful the night before.  If only he hadn’t have fallen.  If only he hadn’t have gotten them into the mess they were in now in the first place.  

 

“Aw, Nicky, don’t say that,” Angela said, the sarcasm in her voice gone.  “This isn’t your fault at all!”

 

“Yes, it is,” Nick replied.  “I’m the one who crashed the car.”

 

“Baby, it was an accident.  It happens to everyone,” she assured him.  “You can’t take the blame for this.”

 

Nick shook his head, but said nothing.   He couldn’t help but think that if he had been in control, none of this would have happened.  They would have been at the beach now, enjoying themselves in the sand and sun, trying to forget the pain that Angela’s father’s death had caused.   Now they were just in even more pain.

 

***

 

 

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