When he came to, Philip slowly opened his eyes. Through the driver’s side window, in the distance, that same human-like shape as before was there, listing gently against the blowing winds. Philip blinked, and it was gone. Lifting his head, he moved his jaw back and forth, trying to diagnose the pain in his face. Finding nothing wrong with his mouth, he touched his face to discover nothing was out of place or bleeding, just a general soreness, most likely from the airbag. He gingerly rested his head against the seat and looked around acquiring his bearings. The deflated air bag sagged against the steering wheel like a forgotten balloon, withered and sad. The front end of the car had been pushed up into a tent-like shape, and steam rose from the engine before being blown away like dust in a storm.
You should be dead.
“I know.”
You’re going to freeze out here.
“The cabin isn’t far.”
You know the car crashed because of what you did.
“It’s not getting any warmer out there. Time to move,” he said, willing himself to leave the car. Bracing himself against the cold, Philip began the march to Max’s cabin.
You can read Forever Together now in Enigma Front: The Stories We Hide along with other great short stories from incredibly talented authors. Also available here.
Dan M Hampton 
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