"Ah shit!" Flash cursed, kicking his right leg out to keep the bag of microwavable dinners from spilling out all over the floor of the car. Hs succeeded, but the vehicle lurched in the process. "Friggin'..." Blushing under starlight, he braked the vehicle completely and freed a hand from the wheel to steady his groceries atop the passenger seat. "There. Damn." Chuckling to himself, he danced his fingers over the sound system, channeling his plug-in .mp3 player. A blaring, multi-layered rock anthem crackled self-importantly through the surround sound speakers. "Save me, Arcade Fire."
Flash Sentry smiled to himself. He layed lightly on the gas, taking his sweet time in navigating the parking lot. He saw the exit up ahead. Traffic was light. It was going to be an easy breezy cruise home.
He turned a corner, ambling down a line of empty parking spaces.
All empty—but one.
"... ... ...?" He looked to his left. The teenager's eyes narrowed.
Beyond an island of dried-up grass, there was a lone truck parked. Its hood was popped open, and one man fussed furiously with the mechanical bowels. Another man lingered a few feet over in the asphalt, pacing furiously with a cell phone to his ear. His free hand swiped viciously through the air, and vocal punctuations made the glass of Flash's car windows shake.
"... ... ..." Flash's brow furrowed. He couldn't help but slow the vehicle. He craned his neck to see better...
...when he saw a third person. Standing in the island. A woman. A long blue dress. Arms that couldn't decide whether to fuss with her hair or with the bulging backpack she was struggling to hold.
When Flash drifted by, she swiveled around like a top. Her body enlarged—swollen at the belly. It was the first thing Flash's eyes locked onto. Soon, he could make out the fabric pattern of the dress... for she was walking straight towards the car. Towards him. Waving. Frantic.
Flash murmured something. He couldn't hear the words underneath the guitar strings. His vehicle lurched to a stop, and soon did his entire night.
The woman approached the window. Her eyes flickered in twilight. Laced with tears.
Before Flash knew it, his fingers had dialed down the volume of his music. His other hand reached for the window controls...