Annabelle Danvers stared tiredly at the road in front of her. She'd been behind the wheel for so many hours that she'd lost track of the time. The road in front of her was dark and winding and it kept blurring together with the huge bundles of trees that lines the sides of it. Warily, she ran a hand over her eyes. Music played softly in the background--some top twenty song that she wasn't really paying attention to. Her little heart air freshener dangled from her rear view mirror, rocking wildly from side to side. Her eyes would flicker to it occasionally. But then the car would swerve and she'd be forced to staring back at the bleak road in front of her.
Anna had always enjoyed driving. There was something so nice and calming about going down the open road, letting your mind clear of everything but what was in front of you. It was actually pretty therapeutic and she remembered having been so happy when her parents had finally bought her her first ever car. It was a rusty, old beat up truck that looked like it was on its last leg. But she had loved it just the same. Even so, there was still only so much driving that she could take before even SHE got tired of it.
Six or seven hours was fine, but twelve was pushing it. She couldn't remember the last time they'd stopped for a break. All she knew was that Rhi had offered to drive about a thousand times and Anna had turned her down each and every one. It was obvious that the other girl was tired and, well, Anna needed some time to clear her head, to not think. Because every time she started to think, her mind always went THERE and she just wasn't in a place where she could think about that and not get too upset.
A sign loomed up ahead. In big block letters it informed her that they were just 20 miles from Sioux Falls. Her shoulders sagged in relief and she pressed down just a little harder on the gas pedal. The jeep lurched forward. A quick glance informed her that she was pushing 90. But she was okay with that. If she kept up this speed, they'd make it to Bobby's in no time.
"Hey," she said, reaching across the center console and tapping her companion on the shoulder. "Hey, Rhi. Wake up." She gestured behind her with a perfectly manicured hand. "20 miles to go. Almost there."