Wendy

Chapter 20: The Bridge (1)

Depression felt it. It was like a soft hum that grew from his chest then gradually consumed him. The feeling filled him with a hunger he hadn't felt in a long time. He allowed a grin spread across his face as he looked down at the speeding cars on various lanes.

"How does it feel? Bad?" Mahgot whispered in Depression's pointy ears as she circled him.

Depression took a deep breath of spiritual air then exhaled black fumes. It exploded in his face in giant puffs.

"When planning a disaster, think ahead, use human calculations. Use their laws of physics against them. Measure the distance, energy exerted and the amount of friction that would bring about massive destruction." Mahgot chuckled darkly as she eyed the numerous imps that hung around, waiting for Depression's command.

Luckily for Depression, Bermuda left him in charge. Mahgot wouldn't have too much freedom to do as she pleased.

Depression closed his eyes and measured the distance of the saint's vehicle. She was still quite far off. When he opened his eyes, he spotted what he wanted.

A truck was parked by the road, its driver had stopped for a smoke. From where Depression floated, he could see imps of drunkenness and violence already fused to the man. It would be easy to use him.

"I'll go to the woman. I trust you'll be able to take care of this?" Mahgot asked with a look of skepticism on her green face. She didn't wait for Depression's reply, instead she zapped away leaving a gust of spiritual wind in her wake.

Depression glowered at her retreating form in slight annoyance. Impertinent flea.

Swooping down, Depression ignored the parasitic imps fused to the man's soul. Their eyes were already hollow and they appeared mindless. Sinking into the man, Depression wore his body like a glove.

After getting the man completely under his control, the grinning imp hummed as he hopped into the huge vehicle and kicked the engine.

"This would be one hell of a ride," Depression mumbled as he sensed the saint's car draw closer.
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It was 4pm and Margret felt the day should never end. Rose was driving her home and they were speeding along the main express.

They had visited an orphanage at the outsketch of the capital city and it was awesome. The excited children had given them a very warm welcome and even a show. A short drama presentation, dancing--which Rose forced her to join in--and a short session where Rose talked with them.

Rose was the type to speak to children with simple wisdom and jokes. The kids were enraptured by her stories. When Rose shared candies among them, their smiles were so broad and bright.

Margret had an issue though. The orphanage looked quite mismanaged and the children didn't look very well taken care of.

"Why did they look so..."

"Unkempt?" Rose completed her question.

"Yes. Why did they look that way? Don't people come often? I mean, their clothes looked quite worn out and they didn't look robust."

Rose glanced at her before facing the road.

"The orphanage we went to is not government owned. They started out two years ago with about six children. There are a lot of unwanted pregnancies among the teenage girls there. Only last year, about five babies were dumped at their doorstep,"

Margret frowned. Wasn't life a funny thing? When some were dying to have babies, others were throwing them away.

"I discovered the place late last year, the condition then was much worse. They lived on providence and they were even considering closing down the place. But my husband was approached by the benefactor- the jolly old woman that greeted us at the gate. He was able to gather some sponsors and donors." Rose beamed as she spoke.

Margret nodded. She remembered the old woman Rose spoke of. She was slightly bent with graying hair and wrinkled skin. The író and būbá she wore concealed the fact that she was a thin woman. But what she lacked in stature, she made up for in spunk and a pleasant enthusiastic spirit. She reminded Margret of a much older Rose.

"She said I should smile more or I'll look worse than her when I'm her age!" Margret said in mock horror. Rose laughed and shook her head.

"I agree with her. If you smile often you'll look more pleasant and when you grow old, your wrinkles would be in the right places."

"Okay, sage of beauty. I'll try." Margret smiled genuinely.

When Margret looked at the rearview mirror she noticed a large truck drifting in and out of its lane.

"Rose, do you see that truck? It's acting funny."

"Weird. I noticed it moments ago, I'll move," Rose mumbled as she swerved to the left. The road had three lanes, so when the car moved from the middle, they noticed with relief that the truck remained on the far right.

After driving a bit faster, they lost sight of the truck just as they reached a bridge that ran over a large lake. Margret stared at the sparkling body of water and let her mind drift.

Wendy would have loved it at the orphanage. Knowing her daughter, she'd have begged her to adopt one of the abandoned babies. Margret smiled at the thought. But her smile died when she heard Rose's words.

"Jesus, oh no."

It was then Margret noticed. The car's engine had stopped. How? The car was moving slowly until it finally stopped. Horns were blaring and she could hear screeching tires.

No, no, no! Not again! Her subconscious wailed.

Snapping out of her momentary shock, Margret grabbed the door handle and pulled with trembling fingers. It refused to budge.

"Rose! Open the door." Her voice was loud with panic. She tried to open it again but it was a useless effort. She saw Rose turn the ignition but the car remained dormant.

"I didn't lock the door," Rose said as she looked at her with frightened eyes.

"What do you mean you didn't lock it?! We are going to get thrown into the lake! Can't you see how fast they are driving here?" Margret cried in terror.

Was this a joke? Was this really happening? How could a car stop without notice? And why on a bloody bridge? No car was stopping, they just kept swerving and zooming past. How long till one crashes into them?

"I am not lying. I didn't lock the door!" Rose's voice shook as she tried the door several times.

When Margret glanced at the review mirror, she froze. The truck that seemed wobbly a while ago was a few meters from them, and it seemed to have lost control.

Margret watched wide eyed as the huge vehicle zigzagged across the road, crashing into cars and at the same time pushing them out of the way. The noise it generated was bloodcurdling. It was the sound of death.

"Rose are you seeing this?" Margret asked in a small voice.

"Yes..." Rose sighed.

Margret tore her eyes from the mirror and stared ahead. She knew the truck was heading straight at them. They were going to be crushed or thrown into the lake. Maybe both. Her death had come at last.

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