ADRIFT - Part Two

WARNING: PLEASE READ PART ONE FIRST
A pile of rubble sat in front of Mia, blocking the road. Loose rocks and slimy mud had slid down the mountainside towards the ocean across the road. Her tires screeched to a sudden halt skidding towards the side of the cliff that hung over the ocean. She grabbed her purse and carefully stepped out of her car, walking away from it to observe her situation. Just as she reached a wider part of the road designated as a Vista point, she heard the loud explosion again. She watched in horror as a pile of rubble was happily sliding down from the same spot above but this time it had acquired a prize along the way towards its journey down to the ocean – her car. She stood with her mouth open, her hand over it as if trying to stop a scream from escaping. Her eyes widened as she peered over the cliff spotting a red door smashed up against the rocks down below. The rest of the car was nowhere to be seen, engulfed by the waves and taken out to sea.

Far into the horizon she saw the sun starting its journey down, its soft rays glinting over the expanse of the ocean as if winking at her. The view that tourists flock to see, photographers wait to capture, artists get inspiration from, that same view was beginning to spell fear for her. She was all alone in a desolate part of the island, and only minutes before darkness. Her only vehicle that could help complete her journey was now swimming to lands far from her. Even though it was a journey in which she had no idea where she was heading, she had a road and vehicle. In a sudden moment of explosion, even that had tumbled away.

Mia tried to think fast, to come up with a plan of action or inaction. Going back was fruitless she hadn’t seen a man-made structure for hours. Going forward was risky, through or over the rubble and even then no surety of help on the other side. Staying put was certain demise with unpredictable weather, torturous wind, and coal darkness, possibility of more land slide and not to mention the wild animals on the prowl at night. She shivered at all these possibilities and had to make a swift decision. The ocean below her raged, its waves crashing angrily as if to avenge the earth for its rude deposit from the land.

The dust on the debris on the road had settled and she looked more closely noticing a narrow opening in a corner on the mountain side of the road. Looking up at the top of the hill and assured that no more loose rocks were rolling down, she cautiously walked towards the pile of rubble. Not surprised to see anyone or any car stuck on the other side of this infrequently travelled road, she hurried on to find a sign of civilization.

As luck would have it, just as the last rays of the sun were beginning to take their dip down the oceanic horizon, Mia spotted a light. Her jog picked up to a run and she reached a small structure surrounded by a collection of cottages. She arrived there to find a large woman turning the key to lock up for the night. Apparently, Mia had chanced upon an Inn for those who wanted to lose themselves in the wilderness and escape from the real world. All the cottages were sitting vacant and she was going to be the only occupant for the night. She sighed, paid her deposit and walked into the cozy abode where she could collect her nerves after the dreadful day of mishaps and heart breaks.

To be continued…