Power of balance. Good versus evil. That was the last thing I was thinking of when my car broke down on the dusty dark road. My mind was racing with all the thoughts that go through your head when you know that you have not made the right decisions. My cell phone was on the table in the front hallway. My purse was locked in the glove compartment and the key for said compartment was on the key chain next to my cell phone.
My car died quickly and without effort or pain. If this was a pet I would have been happy that it did not suffer. I'm not sure if cars have feelings but either way my car was dead. The innards of the engine seized up and it went from cruising at a nice eighty kilometres an hour to nothing.
I sat in my car and waited until the clicking and humming stopped. It was silent. My car was dead and I actually had no idea where I was. Well I did a bit. I had just dropped off my best friend at the airport so knew I was in the north end of town. Instead of hopping back on the highway that stretched east to west I had chosen instead to take a side road that went south. It was on this road that my car decided it was no more.
As I got out of the car I realized how hot it was outside. Even though it was almost the end of October the air was hot and dry. It was the type of dryness that would require a lot of water if I were running in it. I wasn't though and I was happy my brain reminded myself of this fact. I was a runner. I could run fast and far for long periods.
My heart leapt out of my chest as I saw a figure sitting on the side of the road in front of me. My brain knew that running away was best but I made another bad decision. I didn't run.
"Your car is dead. You should listen to your mechanic when he says to get regular oil chances."
His voice was quiet and deep. Even though he was scolding me like a child I felt comfortable with what he was saying. I stood still which gave him an indication to continue talking.
"You're blonde. I bet you don't have a cell phone right?"
I nodded in agreement. I was ashamed that he was telling the truth. I didn't even notice that he had insulted me. I was proud of my blonde locks and vowed that if there ever came a time that my hair turned grey or white; I'd pay a small fortune to have the same golden shade.
"I'm selling something that will help you with your situation. You might not want it but you'd be foolish to say no. Considering your current list of bad decisions, I'd say you should accept my offer."
I looked at him and squinted my eyes. The sun was setting at an angle where the glare was intense. Although at first I thought he was an older gentleman he now looked much younger. His clothing was dark and dignified. Part of my brain was grasping to remind me how odd it was that a man was randomly standing on the side of a dirt road dressed as if he was a high-class businessman. As always I ignored my conscience.
"What are you offering?"
He smiled as he heard my voice. It was almost like a light went off in his head and his assumptions were correct. He smiled wide and showed off his dark yellow teeth. There were none missing but clearly those teeth were that of an older gentleman.
"A compromise of sorts. We all want something in life. Sometimes we get what we want and sometimes we only get what we need. Sheryl Crow sang a song about that. I think the line said 'It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got.' In any case you've wanted something for a long time and in return for something I've wanted for a long time I am here to make a deal."
"Excuse me?"
I didn't mean to sound so snotty but when I'm caught off guard my true colours show.
"I can get your car fixed and you can go along your merry way. In return you do something for me."
"What?"
He smiled such an innocent smile that he looked to be a little boy asking for some more candy. I shivered but let him answer. I had forgotten about everything weird and creepy going on at the moment. I just wanted to know what I had to give him.
"Quit your job. You've been spoiled for way too long Elly. You need to feel what it's like to be at the end of your rope and so desperate you'd do anything."
The neurons in my brain were at lightening speed and my brain flashed with different scenes. Every scene reminded me of one thing -- he was right. I was spoiled. I did get what I wanted. I had worked hard for my job although no one needed to know it was by being on my knees as opposed to my intelligence. I was never going to be desperate and he had no control over me.
"Fuck off!'
I spun around and rushed to my car. The heat was sweltering and my thin blouse was sticking to my back. I opened my car door but he slammed it shut just as fast. He was so close to me and I could smell the decay around him. I tried not to breath through my nose but when I took a deep breath the dry air make me hack and cough.
"You don't need to run away. It was a simple statement. I am right, aren't I? You have always been the spoiled little brat?"
"How do you know that about me?"
"You probably don't really want to know the answer to that Elly. I mean I could see it in your eyes. You have always been materialistic and I know you thought I was going to ask for money. I don't need money. You do though. You need a lot."
I tried to pull open the car door again but his hand slid up to grip my wrist. His skin was cold and sticky. I shivered and was repulsed by him. When he opened his mouth teeth were missing and those still in there were almost black. He looked so old, so decrepit. My mind was racing and really there was no solution. I could see it now. The front page of the newspaper tomorrow would have a title such as "up and coming journalist found dead on side of the road."
Wait. That was assuming someone would find me tonight. The sun had set almost completely. It was dark now and in the time since my car had died no other car had driven by. I wouldn't be found tonight. It would be days. My body would probably look like his by the time I was found.
"Let me go. Please."
"Fine."
And with that he let go of my wrist and stepped back. He stood up straight and suddenly I realized he must be at least six feet tall. I was only five feet so almost everyone felt taller then me. I opened the car door and stood between it and the car. My hands fumbled with the keys, ready to put it in the ignition. My brain was clearly not working well as I had forgotten why I was stopped on the side of the road to begin with.
"You have once again made a bad decision. Typical isn't it?"
I glared at him and got into the car. The moment the door was closed I locked them all. The car started and I pushed my foot hard down on the gas. My wheels spun as I drove down the dark dusty road.
It wasn't until I got to the first intersection with streetlights that I started to calm down. My hands were clammy and my breathing was ragged. I turned into a small convenience store and decided I needed some water. My throat was parched.
I got out of the car and rushed inside. I barely paid attention to anyone around me. The video cameras in the store would have seen a blonde woman rush in and go straight to the drink area. Her skirt was black and her blouse was a sheer white. The kid at the counter would assume she was a lawyer or something late for a dinner date.
