Maybe we can make it to the next town, our dad said.
Our mom did not answer, her back stiff with fear.
Maybe, I thought. Maybe?
The wind howled as we drove. Everything was white. The sky, the surrounding farmland, the road.
Thirty minutes passed. The endless whiteness began to turn slowly gray. And still we drove on till the car lurched off the road. We tried pushing as its tires spun, the temperature a killing twenty below.
Returning to the car we sat in silence, the sky turning still darker. Another hour passed.
An eighteen-wheeler slowed as it drove by, and we waved frantically from the cocoon of our old Chevy. But it did not stop, and we watched its taillights disappear into the night.
Will he stop in the next town and tell someone? Mom asked.
Dad shrugged. Another hour passed.
A Rambler station wagon pulled alongside and invited us to join them. The car had a person in every seat and luggage filling the back. The five of us climbed in and sat on their laps.
The Rambler moved ahead cautiously, the miles crawling by till the highway disappeared in the drifting snow and we slid off the road. We got out and pushed till the cold drove us back in.
I dared not look at the gas gage. Another hour passed as eleven people sat in silence.
Lights penetrating the darkness, we leaned forward expectantly, a glorious snowplow appearing to clear our way.
We all cheered.
About the Creator
John Cox
Family man, grandfather, retired soldier and story teller with an edge.
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Comments (10)
Back to say, I LOVE the artwork!! you are so lucky to be able to draw something for your stories!! Perfect for this one.
What a great story, John! Brrr, I can feel it and the crowded vehicle and THE RELIEF of the snowplow!
Had my heart in my mouth! Read too many of people freezing to death 😁 Looks like you might have a word missing here? "The five us climbed in"
Oh I thought they were all gonna be doomed! It was so nice of you to give them an optimistic ending! Loved your story!
John Cox your story is a gripping narrative that captures the suspense and tension of a perilous journey through harsh winter conditions. It's a masterpiece!
Short story - and very evocative. You pack a lot of tension and distress in here, I can tell be how relieved I was at the end!
It was thrilling till the end, a well written short story.
This made me feel claustrophobic and anxious too. But an optimistic ending made it all good again. Entered for the challenge, I hope.
I love it! Great work!!
John, I hope you entered this in the snow challenge! I felt the angst despite it being 82 degrees here in Florida today!!! Bravo! for such fine writing.