A stitch in time isn’t amber nine

Jack blinks a few times to clear his vision. This isn’t normal. That is the thought that keeps his mind swirling. No matter how he tries to get his mind around it the result is the same. Disbelief.

Furthermore, this isn’t the first time today that he has dealt with exasperated disbelief. He pulls over into the emergency lane and limps along behind the other motorists. He would definitely be late for work today.

In the distance ahead, the traffic using the emergency lane, has stopped now. Jack groans loudly. His voice sounds alien in the close confines of the car.

A stitch in time

What was happening this morning? Every route he tried, was in gridlock. Jack presses the station search on the radio. Maybe he could catch a traffic report. There is plenty on the radio. However, there is nothing about the traffic.

How could every road in the city be in gridlock? Furthermore, why are there no reports about it? He scans every local radio station. They are all working just fine. There is plenty of music and commercials. No reports about traffic, though.

Moreover, the entire highway is in gridlock now. The emergency lane on the shoulder is also at a standstill. Jack has been officially jammed.

After an hour with absolutely no movement Jack has become concerned. Additionally, people have begun to exit their vehicles and gather in small groups. Similarly Jack decides to join them. Maybe he will be able to learn why they are stuck.

Amber Nine

He had called work to report he would be late. His manager had informed him he was the sixth person to call because of traffic. He couldn’t accept that it was merely coincidence. He is nearing the group closest to his car when he sees the flash of amber light.

Jack blinks in reaction to the flash. Several people in the group gasp, and make exclamations. Now the flash of light becomes a steady glow. Deep amber light, slowly emanating outward. Now, there isn’t one soul on the highway. Indeed, only Jack remains.

Previous chapters of this story line:

_{^{Wendell and the Amber Waves}}

_{^{The amber waves of Timberland}}