Amelia POV
The SUV’s wipers squeaked over the windshield, smearing rain into dirty streaks. I clutched the map in my lap, heart racing every time Richard's hand tightened on the wheel. He hadn't said more than five words to me since we left. I could hear the rain pounding the metal roof, drowning out my thoughts. My mouth was dry.
"What's the plan when we get there?" I tried.
He grunted. "Inspection."
Nothing else. He wouldn’t look at me. Wouldn’t talk. The silence grew heavier, thicker with every mile.
The road narrowed, flanked by dripping pines. I felt the SUV pull a little and frowned. "Richard there's something wrong."
He didn't even look at me. "It's fine." I
snapped back, "Pull over."
He shook his head. "No."
My grip tightened. "Richard pull over. I can hear it grinding."
