SepSceneWriMo 2022 – Day 1 – What is your reason for being?

While I’ve read about SepScene WriMo on ‘Mole’s blog in the past, I never really considered participating. I’m all about the plot; the plot does not happen in a single scene. Scene writing is not my jam. People want to read complete stories.

Or so I thought.

Well, I still kind of think all that, but this time around I figured that – maybe to better my craft – I DO need to make scene writing my jam. One of my fellow BBprompt participants – A.E. – is a master at meticulously crafting a single scene and making it read as more than just a scene. I’m always in awe. Plus, I like to think that people would like to read SOMETHING and since I haven’t been posting as much as I have in some of the previous years… I figured it was time to grab the bull by the horns!

Hence, I’ve decided to attempt SepSceneWriMo, which calls for a scene a day. Not sure how doable that is, but I sure will try. If you choose to embark on the journey with me as a reader, I thank you in advance and await your feedback. Should you choose to join me as a writer – I look forward to reading your scenes!

***

‘You are not insignificant.

You were created for a reason.

You have a purpose.‘

The priest’s words still rang in my ears as I turned the key in the ignition.

“Hello!” the car greeted me with a display of lights on my dashboard.

“Hello, Ruby!” I replied, gently shifting into reverse and pulling out of the parking lot.

Radio on. Volume setting – seven. Loud enough to hear the music but quiet enough to also hear everything else. Driving at night is not my favorite. It’s the same crazy people as during the day, only driving faster and in low visibility. While I tend to be very rational, I try not to dwell in fear – just a few blocks down the road, a short ride on the highway, and I would be home drinking tea with my girlfriend.

The first set of lights was green, and the second one turned green as I started getting closer, but the final light turned red as I approached.

“Never a red when you need it (to send a quick text), but always when you don’t (trying to get home before complete nightfall),” I thought as I slowed down and allowed a car to turn from a smaller street into my lane.

“Dude, your lights aren’t on,” I said to the driver who would never hear me. “I’d wanna know. Cops and accidents have a way of delaying you.” I figured and twisted my knob off and back on again in an attempt to try and signal the driver in front of me to turn their headlights on.

But he did not seem to notice. Or maybe he did but thought I was just playing with my ‘toys.’

For maximum effect, I pulled the lever towards me, and the beamers filled the rearview mirror in the car in front of me, blinding the driver.

I let go. Surely, that must have been enough.

The driver in front of me looked at his rearview and jerked his chin up and down.

In response, I lifted my arm and pretend-turned the light knob. He probably thought I was taunting him or something because he did not switch on his lights and instead went back to ignoring me.

Soon enough, the red light turned to green, and the car in front of me and I turned onto the highway ramp. We both started the acceleration process to be able to merge smoothly onto the highway.

“Seven minutes and I should be home,” I estimated, based on the level of traffic.

I was in the second from the right lane when I saw a car barreling down on my left. All I could do was shake my head. People being reckless is one thing, but people endangering others…

The car whipped right into my lane and then into the next. No turn signal, no nothing. The wild, wild west.

The loud bang that followed almost caused me to jump in my seat. My entire body trembled as I rounded the bend.

Several yards ahead, I passed by a nasty accident. The car that passed me over was now one with the car that had no lights on.

“Should I have done more to get him to put his lights on?” I wondered the entire ride home and beyond.

Stay golden,

***

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