Spectar stared through the windshield, rain droplets tapping an uneven rhythm against the glass. Night had fallen, and the streetlights glowed like tiny moons guiding him along. The new year had only just begun, but Spectar felt it was just another day—no fireworks of excitement, no confetti of joy. He was tired and frustrated, weighed down by an ache in his chest he couldn’t fully explain. He wore a grey hoodie pulled over his head, as if trying to shield himself from the world.
The old Honda’s interior smelled faintly of the fast-food dinner he’d grabbed hours earlier. It was just about the only meal he’d had all day.“ Man, I don’t even know what I’m doing,” he muttered to himself, his voice low, tinged with disappointment. He turned up the volume on the worn-out stereo to fill the silence, but the music only served as a reminder of how restless he felt.A few minutes later, he pulled into a convenience store parking lot, checking the mirrors to make sure no one was around. With the engine idling, he rolled up a blunt and took a few long drags. The smoke curled lazily in front of him before disappearing into the night’s chill. For a moment, everything slowed down. Thoughts about his life, his anger, and his loneliness filled his head. When the blunt had cooled his nerves enough, Spectar decided to drive again, hoping maybe a little aimless cruising would clear his mind. He rolled out of the parking lot and onto the main road, exhaling the last puff out the window. Suddenly, headlights appeared in his rearview mirror—red and blue strobing faintly in the distance.
His heart thumped. A police cruiser was pulling onto the road behind him.“Just stay cool…” he mumbled. He flicked on his car’s fan to blow away any lingering smoke. He tried to remember if his license and registration were up to date—nothing to worry about there, but a million what-ifs raced through his mind anyway. Spectar could feel that familiar jolt of anxiety. It wasn’t just about the blunt. It was about the constant feeling of being watched, feeling like a target, especially tonight, when all he wanted was some peace. The cruiser’s headlights glowed brighter. Spectar took the next left turn, trying to see if the cop would follow. Sure enough, the police car made the same turn. His grip tightened on the wheel. The tension in the car felt thick enough to slice.He glanced in the rearview. The cop car seemed to slow, then it started to fall back. A long exhale of relief escaped Spectar’s lips as the cruiser finally turned onto another street. A grin spread across his face. It was like a switch had been flipped. The blood rushing through his ears subsided. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, and despite the earlier darkness in his mood, he let out a burst of laughter.“Hell yeah, not today!” he shouted, throwing a thankful glance up at the sky. “Thank you, God! Hahaha!”For the first time that night, a spark of possibility replaced his heaviness. The next minute, Spectar straightened up in his seat, ready to face whatever else this new year had in store. Maybe it wasn’t so bad, feeling alive like this—even if the adrenaline was coursing through his veins. Maybe he’d keep driving a bit longer, windows down, letting the cold air remind him that he was still here, still breathing, and that tomorrow might just bring something better.
