NORTH 1

A wash of static came over the radio. Aaron grunted as he went to fiddle with the dial. This wasn't the first time he wished that his truck had more than just the am/fm. He debated scanning on AM, but sometimes silence was better than the Spanish stations. He pushed the power and took a long sigh settling his eyes back onto the road. The desert plane was fading into desert hills and he could see a mountain range looming by the horizon. He had been driving for a couple hours and he had a couple more to go. The sun was setting to his left and its fading rays cast reddish hues on some ominous storm clouds to his right. Aaron hoped he could beat the clouds. He hated driving in the rain.

He was zoning out. His mind wandered along random paths in his brain trying to fill the constant dullness of driving. The thoughts soon found their way to her. He smiled. He hadn't seen her in a year but all of the old feelings still coursed through his system when his mind came to her. He hoped, after much word searching, that this weekend would be life-changing. He didn't want to end up going back to the same life he had been living. He wanted a change, he wanted a fresh start, he wanted to start a new chapter in his life and he hoped it would all start with her. Her smile filled his thoughts.

Red and blue lights flashed in his mirrors. Was he speeding? Yes he was going 82 mph. Damn. The one car he sees for miles is a black and white. Maybe his new chapter would have to start with a cop and it was probably going to take a while. He pulled his truck over onto the shoulder and turned his engine off. He rolled down his window and pulled out his ID/registration. A few minutes later he heard the cop's door pop open and the officer get out. A man of average height approached his window with the unmistakeable kaki uniform of the Highway patrol man. He walked up peered inside the truck and cleared his throat, "Going a little fast back there weren't we?" he asked with an almost humorous disposition.

Aaron nodded his head sighing, "Yep."

"Can I see your license and registration?"

Aaron passed it to him glancing at the officers belt. His gun mostly. There was just something about it that made this man more important and powerful than everybody else, at least more than Aaron at that moment.

"So, Aaron, where are you rushing off to today?"

"Um, I am going to visit my friend up north."

"Is that so. Well I am going to guess that this friend is waiting for you and will be happy to see you get there alright."

"Uh, Ya I suppose so." Said Aaron, trying not to give the police officer any reason to change his present mood.

"Well what if you didn't make it safely? Say you were in an accident. How do you think your friend might feel then? Probably not very good, right."

Aaron nodded hoping he was looking respectful.

"What I am trying to say is that when we do things, like driving, we are not only responsible for our own lives we are also responsible other people. For the lives of other drivers and the well being of our friends and families. You should always think of those other people before taking risks like speeding. You get that?"

Aaron nodded again, relieved that this officer seemed to be in more of a preaching mood than a writing mood.

"Now I am going to let you off with a warning and a little advice. You see those clouds? More than likely they will be dumping within the hour and slicking up these roads quite a bit. What most people end up doing, even when going the speed limit, is hydroplaning or skidding right off the side of the road. Especially in these parts. We have had at least 12 fatalities around this very bend in the past five years. So slow down keep your eyes peeled and make your friend happy, alright."

"Alright", Aaron replied with a smile and a great deal of relief. The officer was handing Aaron back his credentials when there was a loud thud. It sounded quite close and a little wet. Then another, followed by a squawking.

"What the hell?" the officer muttered walking back towards his automobile, hand on holster. Aaron glanced in his right side mirror and saw something pale and low to the ground slide behind the black and white's back tire. Turning quickly to look behind he saw the officer reach the back of his car and glance around the trunk.

Another squawk/screech erupted and a ball of yellowish flesh sprung towards the officer. He lurched back and the creature flew over his head and landed in the road. The officer staggered up and was drawing his weapon when the creature spun and sprung again. It sailed right into the officers head and its appendages leeched around his face. The officer started screaming and pulling at the thing now enveloping his head. His scream became piercing and full of pain before his body went rigid and he fell against his car.

Aaron stared in disbelief. What had just happened? His eyes were reporting everything to his brain but there was no response. Like he would react to a movie. Or a dream. Was it a dream. No. He wouldn't be sitting here wondering if it was a dream in a dream. What should he do? He couldn't possibly leave the officer there. He should call 911. Sure. Pulling out his cell phone he stared at a blank screen. Of course he forgot to charge it. Crap. There was probably a radio in the cop car but he didn't want to-. Oh hell he thought moving his body before his mind could talk him out of it.

Opening his door and taking off his seatbelt he placed his feet on the road. His heart hammered in his chest and he felt his mouth getting dry. He swallowed and moved out of his truck. He looked at the officer, well the former officer. The creature sat on his shoulders and seemed locked on pretty tight. Blood was soaking into the officers shirt and his hand seemed to be going pale. "What the freak?" muttered Aaron under his breath. He then noticed the pistol. It lay halfway between him and the body. He figured he could shoot the thing just to be safe while he was bending over to pick it up. The word impulsive was starting to echo in his mind when he saw movement in his peripheral. The body was moving.

Did that mean the officer was still alive? A moan. "Hey" Aaron said. The body started moving towards him rather clumsily. Aaron started backing up into the road. The body kept coming. Aaron raised the pistol at the body and shouted, "Hey!" It approached a little faster and moaned louder. He backpedaled faster. He had almost reached the other side of the pavement and would soon back into the guard rail. Taking a deep breath he pulled the trigger. Click. He pulled it again. Click. The body was within a yard and a half. It raised its arm, let out a blood curdling scream and-BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!! A semi barreled around the bend and slammed into it. Passing inches from Aaron's hands it continued to fly down the road and around a corner. The only thing left was the officers arm from the elbow down. The distorted fingers were touching Aaron's shoe.

"Aw Fu-

to be continued