Silence had set over the bruised pair like a wet wool blanket; smothering the life in the car. Nick sat slumped against the benched seats, the dull ache in his head throbbing dully; while Gloria lay curled on her side, eyes closed tight against the pain invading her brain. The car was still and the tunnel surrounding it dead silent, as if they were the only ones left. The silence, fitting the typical cliche, was deafening. Crushing, even.

He wanted to go home. Just crawl into bed and sleep. Hell, he'd even put up with Mandy if it meant he could get the hell out of where he was stuck. Mandy. God. His head hurt just thinking about her. She was probably on the phone with every girl he had even looked sideways at; screaming at them to tell him to get his ass home. Like he would even if he was there. He'd rather walk on nails.

Nick let his head fall forward onto his chest, his emotional exhaustion overtaking him. So . . tired. He was just about out when her soft voice stung his conciousness. "Nick?" He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah?"

She was quiet for a moment. "Do you think we are going to die?" The plastic lip of the seat cut into his neck as he let his head alternately fall back. "Nope. Someone'll come get us." Silence again. "Are you sure?" He yawned and scratched his tummy. "MmHmm. They know we're here."



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