Predawn Hours - October 16, 2020 - Iowa

“This year has been an absolute shit show.” Jes’s voice was hoarse as she spoke to the empty car. “Bushfires, wildfires, tornadoes, a pandemic, a goddamn hurricane in the midwest, for Christ’s sake. And now this? And now Da...” Her voice broke entirely and she couldn’t go on.

“I know sweetie.” Her mother’s tinny voice was thick and pushing through tears as it came over the car speakers. “I’m so sorry”

Sorry. The word sounded so hollow to Jes. She’d heard it so many times already. Sorry. Everyone was so sorry. Sorry didn’t do anything. “I know, Ma. I’m sorry, too.”

It didn’t do anything, but sometimes it was the only thing to say. “It was quick at least.” Her mother tried to console them both.

“Too quick.” Jes’ eyes burned as she watched the empty road spool out beneath the glare of her brights.

“Much.” Her mother’s tinny voice was rough with emotion. “Sweetie, It’s getting really late. Are you sure I can’t convince you to stop for the night? He’s not going anywhere.”

Jes’ voice was choked as she rubbed water from one reddened eye. “I know, Ma. I just have to be there. I’m sorry I was so far. Get some sleep. I’ll be there before dawn.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to talk you home?”

“No. You get some rest. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Be safe, sweetie. You’re all..” Her mother's voice faded away.

“Don’t…” Jes choked on the rest of the words and she gulped for air. After a moment she caught a deep, shuddering breath. “I’ll be safe, Ma. I promise. You know how I drive.”

The laugh that came through the speakers was almost normal. “Like a grandmother. I love you, sweetie. Goodnight.”

“G’night, Ma.” Jes pressed the button on the dash that terminated the call and tried to steady her breathing.

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“Absolute shit show.” She muttered to herself as she turned up the volume on the radio. Static greeted her and she cursed lightly under her breath as she changed the station.

As classic rock poured softly from the speakers, Jes rolled her stiff shoulders and stifled a yawn. It had been a long day and a long drive, but she was nearly there. Just a few more hours and then she’d be home. Home.

Why hadn’t she come sooner? Even as she berated herself for staying gone so long she kept a wary eye on the ditches that flanked the two lane highway and the cornfields that lay beyond. Deer had always been a danger. The few trees that paralleled the road had already begun to change colors and amidst all the green and yellow of the farmland, bright oranges and reds occasionally blazed in her headlights.

At that moment, on a two-lane county road in the middle of nowhere, Iowa, Jes could almost believe she was alone in the world. The brilliant sky above, filled with stars and a nearly new moon, made the Earth beneath seem small and empty by comparison. In the deepest part of the night, the county road was completely empty of traffic. Rolling hills of harvest-yellowed corn spread as far as the eye could see on either side of the highway. The fields were broken only by the occasional green border or ditch.

Jes ran a hand through her shaggy mop of brown curls and drew in a ragged breath. She felt like she had been driving for an eternity, but she was nearly there. Just a few more hours and she would be home. They said you could always go home, but what happened when the things that made home home began to fade?

Time had rolled away from Jes, lost a bit of its meaning as she drove the night away. It must have been nearing four in the morning, that dreadful hour just before dawn. Clouds had rolled in, covering the starlight and deepening the darkness that her high beams cut through. Those high beams only revealed more of the same scenery she'd been looking at for hours. Corn, soybeans, the occasional wheat or hay field, and ditches filled with tall grasses and sprawling bushes.

Her golden brown eyes had been scanning the verges of the road, watching out for the brownish forms of deer. When a black form suddenly leapt into the bright light, Jes slammed down on the brakes, shouting a curse. She hadn’t been speeding, she never did, but as she pulled the wheel to one side, trying to avoid the tall, black form the car hit the gravel shoulder and the wheels lost traction.

The black shape stood tall, glimmering in the bright lights, stock still. Dark eyes staring. Suddenly it reared up screaming, One word, repeated, over and over, a curse as Jes fought for control of the car. Into the skid, into the skid. The shape - a horse - turned toward the car, something dark and glittering catching the bright headlights and throwing it back in Jes’ eyes. She screamed, it screamed and then it charged.

There was a sound like thunder, a bright explosion of light and sound, Jes felt her face hit the airbag and then… nothing.