This vignette was written as part of a Creative Writing class. After creating a few characters we paired up to create a dialogue between a couple of them. Unfortunately my partner decided not to participate so I invented my own scene.

     I'm sick of pandering to their needs. It makes me feel like there is no reason for me to continue. Sure, the job is interesting enough but you can never escape the lack of control that you have as an individual within a society. It is always the majority that prevails and they are nothing but senseless sheep, following the latest trend or moral upsurgance.

     Wind blows swiftly in blasts, shaking the trees' branches in a sharp downward motion. Headlights reflect the moisture held within dewy appendages. Black, featureless road stretches to infinity hemmed only by an unbroken line and the intermittent flash of yellow as he makes tedious progress. Tired eyes remain focused only on the inner destination. Alcohol soaked carpet lifts the smell of pine trees to an unrecognisable mélange. Back there - creeping forward and closer until a presence invades the periphery, commanding attention.

     One more, here. This will be the last one this evening. I'll wait a second or two more. He can't keep it straight - he won't. Police?

     The road becomes invisible now, sinking in the sudden death of headlights. Wheels grind slowly forward, tickling rubber against asphalt with joyful zigzags. The road behind is what now is most alluring, soft light approaching with purposeful speed.

     He won't even see me. She won't, he - we'll make this journey together and the rest will never know any different. Yes, closer, closer. Almost…

     Al ultimo momento, one foot slowly squeezes, the other hovers - esperando. Blind night deceives until a touch sparks a blast of red, shattering the seemingly peaceful darkness. Reaction - terror, anticipation. Metal strikes metal, scraping and breakage. Cars repel, spinning.

     I resisted the urge to brake and let the weight of the car bring me to a stop. My head banged lightly against the window as we nestled up to a tree. I began to feel light headed but stepped out of the car anyway.
     A plume of smoke drifted lazily upward. The other car was toppled on its side and hissed angrily. A dazed figure emerged from behind the silhouette, and stumbled away from the wreckage. I watched from the centre of the road, the sensation in my head building to a throbbing. My hand moved to massage my temple and I saw a dishevelled form moving quickly towards me. His arm raised, pointing at me and the expression on his face was angered and purposeful.
     "Are you OK?" I asked.
     He began to shout, deep, heated words. They pounded at my head, obscuring my vision and the air around my ears.
     "Do you need some help? Shall I call an ambulance?"
     I could not hear his response - or if there was one. Instead I was confronted with burning eyes framed by a bloody brow. Both of my hands now grabbed my head as the pain surged further inward. Words slurred from his mouth, punctuated with spittle. I took a shuffled step back, dipping and shaking my head to try and rid myself of the mounting pain. A push knocked me backward once more. I looked up through glazed searing eyes to see a bloody clenched fist hurtling towards me.