The Longest Drive by Frank Carlyle

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About the author:

…………………………………… A change in reality.

What inspired you to write your book?

The current times we live in seem to be of an increasingly apocalyptic nature and so why not write fiction along those lines.

Here is a short sample from the book:

“Where should I go?” He gritted out, as he dodged around a slow-moving minivan.
“Inland as fast as you can go. You need to get to high ground preferably past Interstate 5.”
His jaw moved and he pressed on the gas even more. At that moment the road heaved beneath us and if it hadn’t been for my seatbelt I would’ve banged my head off of the ceiling.
How he kept the Jeep upright as we spun one way and then the other I do not know, other than that I could never hope to equal such driving skills. He cursed and I saw the road up ahead was blocked by two vehicles.
We were too close to stop at the speed we were going at and yet God had promised and armed me with a hope and so amazingly unconcerned I said, “I’d really appreciate it if you’d stop cursing like that. Taking the Lord’s name in vain is not a good thing to do.”
He spared one disbelieving look at me before redirecting focus and slamming the Jeep into neutral before then spinning the wheel hard. The jeep skidded around until its rear outraced the front, but in doing such the jeep skidded in a trajectory that curveballed through the narrow gap between the vehicles and coming to a sliding stop in the dust off to the side of the road he jammed it back into drive and with heavy treaded tires ripping and spewing sand and gravel we took off again forward with the velocity of a rocket taking off.
Feeling glued to my seat and seeing double I wasn’t expecting it when he said, “I’ll get right to work on that Princess.”
I glanced at him. His tone hadn’t been as overly sarcastic as it had been bemused sounding.
Curiously I asked, “What’s your name?”
“Orrin.”
“Mine is Jolana.” I stated intentionally reminding him of the fact that he already knew my name.
“As you wish Princess.” He replied back with equally intentional.
I don’t know why, but I smiled at his response, as we swerved about fallen rocks in the road and other vehicles with such seemingly superlative ease that I couldn’t re-frain from asking, “Exactly what is it that you do for a living?”
“I was a Navy Seal once and then other things, but I got washed up.”
I glanced at him to see the bitterness that I’d heard in his words fully marred across his unmistakably very handsome face. Feeling around for something to say to soften the tightness that my question had brought to him I said, “You killed a shark today.”
The tension in his shoulders eased slightly and then glancing at me he accusingly asked, “Why are you being nice to me all of a sudden?”
It was a hard question to answer, but finding one I tugged at my shirt hem and said, “You were nice to me.”
“Just being practical.”
“How’s that?” I asked.
“You’re distracting enough without having you permanently so.”
I stared at him in surprise and then curiously I asked, “I’m not distracting you now?”
He started to curse but he stopped mid-note. Looking over at me he aggressively said, “Why don’t you just shut up!”
He returned his glance to the road ahead, as he gripped the wheel hard, before then glancing in his rear-view mirror. It was clear that he was trying to ignore me, but not put off I asked, “Are you worried about dying?”
“Aren’t you?” He accused harshly.
“No.” I replied back with honesty.
He glanced at me uncertainly and I met his gaze for a moment before gazing away to the road ahead. We’d reached a main road and our speed was once more well over a 100.
I didn’t quite know how to put what needed to be said, but I tried, “I made a big decision back there on the beach to come with you. I don’t know if you’ve fully realized it yet or not, but life is never going to be the same. Society, everything is going to change and it’s going to be a fight just to survive. For someone with your background that won’t be such a problem, but you’re not alone anymore. You have a woman to think of. Can you promise me that you’re going to do your best to look out for me and save me, if need be, from tough situations and the abuse of others that would wish to harm me? If you can’t promise that then you need to stop right now and let me out, because I’m not going another mile with you, if you’re not capable or willing to be a caretaker of me.”
Wiping at the trails of sweat rolling off his forehead Orrin gave me a speculative glance that said he was very unsure as to what to think of me. Stating his thoughts plainly, which was something I really liked about him, he said, “You know you’re really weird!”
“Answer the question Orrin. I’m serious.”
He glanced at me and for emphasis I put my hand on the doorknob. He glanced from it and then to me as with a ready intelligence he surmised the situation up by saying, “You’d really jump out wouldn’t you.”
Woodenly I said, “I’ve got nothing left to live for. My family, the people I care about most, are all dead. It would be very easy to go and join them right now.” Fresh tears streaked down my face as the full memory of my loss hit home once more.
“How do you know they’re dead?” Orrin asked softly.
“God told me.” I responded with upfrontly before pressing hard with, “Well how about it? Are you in or out, because soon I’m out!”
My hand pulled on the handle and crying out he said, “Wait! I…….what are we even talking about here? I mean…… I.…….?”
“It’s simple Orrin. The question is are you going to be responsible for me and care for me as a man would for his mate?”
“Why would you want me to be that?” He asked ex-pressing genuine surprise.
I shook my head, “I don’t, but I want…….I want you to have a chance. I’m willing to be used to that end to give you a chance at heaven, but I’m not making such a sacrifice for any no account stalking deadbeat that doesn’t have the guts to speak up for what he wants!”
I’d said the words plainly and his response was quick and sincere, as he dodged his gaze away from the hazards of the road to me to say, “I want you and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe! Please don’t jump!”
A calm peace settled over me then and I willingly al-lowed it to change me. I settled back into my seat and took my hand off the doorknob.
I heard him release a pent up breath and then he asked, “What…….why do you even trust me?”
“I don’t know.” I answered truthfully. I glanced at him then and stated, “I’ve given myself to you, but if you go back on your promise heaven help you! Now if you wish to live to claim your reward I suggest that you start driving faster.”
He glanced at me with a look of both confusion and the intense passion he had for me. I pointed to the rear-view mirror and he glanced to it only to then curse viciously at the sight of a towering wave in the far-off distance.
“Don’t curse.” I said, but my words were lost in the roar of the Jeep as he taxed it for all it was worth.
I turned my head away and gazed idly at the wave approaching from the rear. Silently I prayed, “I’ve done my part. I’ll try my best, but I need Your help. I don’t like this road You have me on at all!”
“I know child.” Came my answering response and I closed my eyes, as fresh tears welled up and spilled from my eyes, as no deliverance from the future that I had agreed upon came to greet me by way of a reprieve.