The Snowstorm

[Green Eyes 36]

THE SNOWSTORM

Driving down the abandoned highway struggling to see through the windshield I finally pulled over. I couldn’t see a thing and there was no one around for miles, not that I’d be able to see them if they were standing right in front of me. I didn’t know what to do. This blizzard just came out of nowhere; I didn’t even see anything on the weather channel about snow. I’d been driving for what seemed like forever. I hadn’t seen another car for hours combined with this blinding snowstorm was frightening to say the very least. I was freezing right to death; I just wanted to go home. A thought occurred to me then, why was I even out here? Where was I going, I couldn’t remember why I was in my car driving down a highway that seemed invisible to everyone else. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel straining to remember where I had come from and why I couldn’t find my way home. I looked out the frosted car windows seeing only the fury of Mother Nature. I sat and considered my options, in the end I decided to keep driving. I didn’t know where I was or which way was home but I had to keep searching. I drove and drove and drove through the never ending blizzard when things got worse, much worse.
The car stalled and I looked at my gauge even though I already knew I was out of gas. I sat in my car and assessed the situation, if I left for help I would most likely freeze to death; if I stayed I would most likely freeze to death. I didn’t believe I’d find anyone even if I did search this stretch of deserted highway. I sat there trying to accept my fate, I was going to die.
It was then God smiled upon me and another car pulled up beside me. It was a man who looked to be in his fifties. He wore wire rimmed glasses and a friendly smile.
“What is the trouble miss?” he asked in a concerned tone.
“I’m out of gas.” I spoke through the rolled down window.
I could see the snow sting his face as he held his coat tighter. I stepped out of the vehicle when I got the strange feeling that I’d knew this man from somewhere. I had the urge just then to run away, seeing only certain death in every direction I stayed where I was standing. Still afraid of this seemingly helpful older man, I thought of news stories that began like this and ended with the sentence, “Her naked bound body found under a snow drift.
“I have some gas in a portable gas container.” He said.
Pulled from my paranoid fantasy, I said, “Thank you.”
Perhaps I was just being ridiculous, he seemed nice enough, but no matter how I tried to rationalize I couldn’t shake the mistrust I felt towards this Good Samaritan.
He walked to his car that was pulled directly behind mine, when I had another terrifying thought. How did he see me in this blinding snow? I had the urge to bolt once more but I didn’t. I didn’t see another choose but for me to trust this man. It was he or death.
After refueling my car he simply got into his and left as suddenly and unexpectedly as he had appeared. I returned to my vehicle, started it and turned the heat on full blast. I needed to defrost for a moment before continuing my journey into the blizzard. I was in the mist of it now; it appeared to be engulfing me. I knew it didn’t matter the direction I went the consuming snowstorm was all around. But still I drove and drove though the never-ending storm. Finally I stopped not wanting to run out of gas again. I thought maybe I would wait it out. I didn’t even have my cell phone on me for some reason. After about twenty minutes I decided to try and find a way out again. It was then that for some unbeknownst reason my key wouldn’t fit in the ignition. I sat there trying to understand how my keys wouldn’t suddenly fit my car. Nothing seemed to make any sense. Even though it was twenty degrees I started to sweat. My hands were clammy. I couldn’t control my breathing, it was rapid and my heart was beating so fast I was convinced I would soon have a heart attack. Trying to breathe deeply to relieve my anxiety was futile. My head was spinning. I heard a light tapping on my window. I looked up frightened. It was the same man who’d helped me a half an hour ago. Now I didn’t know what I should do, my keys were useless and here I was trapped. I was beyond hesitant to unlock my car door. However if he didn’t hurt me last time it stood to reason he wouldn’t again. But there were so many questions-how did he keep finding me in this blinding snow? Was he as lost as I was? Finally after a second light tapping I rolled down the window.
“What seems to be the trouble this time?” he asked.
“I’m sorry but now my keys don’t work. I said.
“Let me have a look.” He said. So I unlocked the door and moved to the passenger side seat. He got in, took my keys and not only did they fit but they started the car no problem. With that he got out and left once again, without even waiting for a thank you. Once again I weighed my options and once again I decided to try and find my way out of the veiled snowstorm. I seemed to be driving in circles. It felt like my life was on a loop. Was this how I was going to spend my life, trying to find a way out of an ongoing snowstorm.
After traveling down the snow-covered highway I found myself facing another car. I was relieved for it meant I wasn’t here alone. It wasn’t just the mystery man and me, however I spoke to soon. It was he again. Upon hearing the light tapping on my window once more I rolled down the window.
“Why don’t you follow me out of here?” he asked.
Perplexed but willing to do anything for a way out I said, “Fine.”
I followed the helpful man out of the snow and back to civilization. I felt the warmth of the sun again. I closed my eyes basking in the light of day. Upon opening them I got confused, I wasn’t in my car any longer. Squinting against the bright light, I eventually made out the objects in the hospital room. I thought for a second I might have been in an accident. However that wasn’t the case. I sat up in my bed and took inventory. Why was I in a hospital, suddenly my left wrist begun to throb. Looking down I saw it was bandaged. I was confused until I saw the helpful man with the wire rimmed glassed enter.
“Well Violet, do you feel any better?”
“What happened to the snow?” I asked
“Violet winter’s over.” He said smiling. But for how long I wondered.

[tepih]

Oh Violet - why do you do that

[Serena_Charlotte]

I don't understand. Is she a mental patient that tried to kill herself or was she in a car accident in a blizzard?

[DATo]

Nicely written. Your story reminded me a lot of the short story Silent Snow, Secret Snow by Conrad Aiken. It also had a touch of the old Twilight Zone TV show feel to it as well. I found myself being drawn into the mystery of what was going on as I was reading this though I confess that I did not solve the twist till you revealed it at the end. It could use a little bit of polish but please do not take this as a serious criticism - it was a very interesting and pleasant read, and I thank you for sharing your work with us!

P.S. I liked your poem, also titled The Snowstorm, very much also.