Into The Future

ARRIVAL

A taxi car's tires squealed to a halt. The driver was out of breath after avoiding what could have been a disastrous accident. The sudden momentum as the car jerked and stopped caught everyone in the car off guard. Ian was no different. He appeared to be overwhelmed and unconcerned, despite his glum demeanor. The other passengers started yelling and scolding. The nervous driver calmed himself and told his passengers to do the same.

"Calm down now. What's the big deal? "Can't you see we're fine already?" he said, sighed, as did the passengers. One of them looked at Ian as if taken aback by his calm.

"You don't appear scared."

Ian turned his face towards him and then away, without responding.

The man's expression remained unchanged. He dabbed him twice with his elbow.

"I'm talking to you; don't be impolite," he said.

Ian turned to face him, his face twitching with a growing disdain for the situation. He frowned slightly, not wanting to let out the repressed rage in his heart.

He was returning from a trip outside the country, where he had visited his adopted mother, who was ill. After her final treatment failed, he was told she only had a few months to live. It wasn't the first time they'd predicted her death, but this time seemed to be the real deal. He wasn't ready to accept it. He had no idea what to do or where to turn for assistance. They claimed that there was no cure for the illness. It was cancer. When he first heard the news, he was stunned. He had never thought that that could even be the end scenario. He was so frustrated that all he could think about was a cure, something to make it go away. His mood had remained skewed since that news. Unfortunately, right now, he must also deal with the current situation.

In a low, husky voice, he said, "Please let me be," his face turned to the rear window.

The man became enraged and raised his hand to strike him.

"You're such a jerk, boy! Would you like me to smack you?"

"Leave the boy alone," a woman, another passenger in the car, said. Ian had taken the taxi regardless of how many passengers the driver had carried. He wondered if it was even a taxi. Perhaps it wasn't a taxi at all, or perhaps it wasn't working as a taxi at the time. Perhaps the driver was hired to transport those passengers, and for some reason, he offered to take him as well, probably to make extra cash. Ian had not considered his comfort and had taken the taxi, oblivious to the fact that it already had a full load. He had a lot on his mind and couldn't think at the time. He was still too preoccupied with other things to be affected by the near-accident.

In hushed tones, the man said, "I'm not sure what's happened to today's youth. God help us. " He sighed as he turned his head to the front, bringing his statement to a close. Ian continued to stare out the back window, saying nothing. He saw a young lady dressed in a polo shirt, black slacks, and a black leather jacket. Her hair was kempt, and her gaze was drawn to him with interest. He was taken aback. He stared until he couldn't any longer as the taxi whizzed by her. He sat back down, wondering who it was. Even though he'd never met her before, she seemed very familiar. It was strange. He frowned and then blinked his eyes, blocking out all other thoughts except that of his dying mother. He sighed as he remembered the terrible situation he was about to face.