Drive of Horror *(new)*

     The low gas light brightens the dash of a red Chevy Malibu as it steals all the attention of the sleepy driver. It's now almost 1am and Ray decided two days ago to begin a cross country trip with his wife Desiree in hopes of saving their relationship. They both have accused each other of not showing enough attention and they both feel less and less sparks as each day passes by.  She believes he has fallen out of love and is more worried about his career than making her happy. He believes the love for his career and his sacrifice should be enough but it isn't. Finding the balance between work and his life has been challenging for him because he refuses to be complacent. As with her, she feels ignored and taken for granted. After years of arguing and not seeing eye to eye, this voyage with just the two of them was the last hope in saving their dying relationship. 

     Desiree was fast asleep when suddenly she was slung out of her dreams from the feeling of a swerving car. As she wakes up she also notices the gas light and before she could ask what happened Ray cuts her off. "I need gas and I saw a sign for cheap gas about 5 miles off the highway." She asks the name of the gas station to use Google to verify the price but of course Ray can't remember. “All I know, it's 5 miles this way” he points in the direction they are headed, “and we have 10 miles until E.” Frustrated and trying to avoid an argument she decides to sit and wait quietly. Without warning the road begins to narrow. The yellow lane lines and white boundary lines begin to disappear. The paved smooth road suddenly turns into dirt and rugged gravel. Ray slows the car down to account for the missing light poles and the unpaved road ahead. Ray begins to sense the anger and frustration begin to rise from his uncomfortable companion. He tries his best not to look at her in hopes they reach the cheap gas station soon. Now with only 4 miles remaining on the dash and nothing but woods on the left and right encompassed with darkness behind and in front of the slowly dieing car. Ray begins to sweat. Nervous and praying he doesn't have to hear her “I told you so” voice. Unexpectedly, a dim light glows in the distance. Ray begins to smile as Desiree sits up in her seat in an attempt to focus on the light. Steadily driving the dim light begins to grow and the shape of a building silhouettes through the darkness. It is the gas station. Ray, relieved by this new found destination, deeply exhales and says “finally”. Desiree, still upset with him, rolls her eyes in disgust. A folded sign saying “cheap gas only 1.99” stood firmly next to the driveway. Ray explains “this is why we’re here” to his annoyed wife.  Driving into the driveway he parks the car next to the pump. There was only one pump in front of a lonely building with a separate porter potty size bathroom off to the left side of the main building surrounded by knee high grass. Ray gets out to pump the gas and he notices no lights on the pump. No numbers, no “insert card here”, and no greeting. Irritated and nervous, he leans his head through the driver's side window and explains “It's cash only, I have to go inside.” Desiree looks around into the darkness that surrounds her and shakily replies “ok, just hurry up please”. Ray nods and says “Do you want anything?” Desiree, now irritated again, quickly and sharply responds “To leave, that's what I want.” as she folds her arms and rolls her eyes. Ray exhales and starts to walk towards the gas station doors shaking his head wondering why he even asked. There was a swinging lamp on the outside of the gas station fighting to stay connected to the ceiling. Ray thinks to himself he hopes he can hurry and leave before that light falls. Walking inside the gas station a breeze of cold air and a stench of unknown origin both slap him in the face at the same time. Puzzled and confused he turns to look at his parked car lonely in darkness with his wife patiently waiting inside. He contemplates continuing but remembers they are now out of gas. Ray only sees one option and continues through the doorway.

     The gas station was small in size with only two aisles filled with chips and candy in the center of the shriveled building. A few doors of refrigerated drinks filled with old styled beers on the far back wall and some old dusty magazines on the wall to the right. A single light illuminated the middle of the ceiling but there were dark patches in each corner of the walls the light couldn't reach. To the left there was a dim light behind the counter. As he walks to the counter the sounds of groans murmur in the distance. He cant make out the words or the origin so he listens to attempt to follow the sound. It appears to be coming from the floors.  He kneels down and the voice grows. Fighting to make out the words coming from the voice, he places his ear to the ground. Ray hears the voice again but still can't make it out. He yells “we need some gas”. The murmurs stop. The room is silent. You could hear the trees gently swaying in the wind. The gas station starts to get cold. Ray can see his breath blowing out in front of him. A chill runs up the back of Ray's neck as the hairs on his arms begin to rise. Suddenly the sound of big heavy boots starts to slowly walk around below his feet signaling a basement. The steps continue to get closer and closer. Following the steps beneath Ray feet, they take the path of a spiraling staircase beneath this already ominous gas station. Each step getting louder and louder headed towards a closed door behind the counter. Nervous and impatient he waits in front of the counter. The mysterious door swings open and Ray is greeted by no one. 

Coming Soon.....