A Short Distance Later

Some days are diamonds. Some days are stones. The days that start as diamonds and then flop are the ones Jasper has in mind as he starts the truck. He wonders briefly if he can risk jumping from the cab of the truck. It’s just too risky and he puts the truck in gear.

For 7 years he’s been driving this route. Furthermore, in all that time he’s never even had a flat tire. Now he’s got a gun aimed at his chest as he backs the truck away from the curb.

Within minutes they are on the main road and heading to the interstate. Jasper knows he is in trouble. The gunman never takes his eyes off Jasper. The gun does not waver or drop. Furthermore, the gunman used his phone just before they left the parking lot of the diner.

Short distance

There was more happening than Jasper could understand at the moment. He knew the situation was bad, as more emergency vehicles blew past. Their lights and sirens blazing and blaring. When they reach the on ramp of the interstate, Jasper directs the truck onto the ramp.

The man with the gun has more info on his phone. He does not look away from Jasper or lower the gun as he checks the details on the screen. Jasper merges the truck into the midday traffic of the interstate.

More emergency vehicles blast by, heading toward the growing plume of smoke coming from the inner city. Jasper and the man with the gun are moving in the opposite direction heading away from the city. Within a few miles they are in open country and the traffic is thinning.

Not only is the traffic thinning, but also the sky is beginning to darken. The threat of rain is real, as they move further away from the city.

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