by Stan Mason
As Purdy sighted the tanker, he moved the steering wheel so that his vehicle could circumnavigate the tanker in its path. However, despite his feverish efforts to turn the wheel, it remained fixed as though locked solidly in its position. For three seconds... the length of the rest of his miserable life... he stared at the rear end of the tanker knowing that he was unable to avoid it and he took alternative action by slamming on the brakes. To his amazement, his foot pressed the pedal right down to the floorboard of the cabin with no reaction from the brake system whatsoever. At the moment of impact, he uttered a loud shriek for he knew that he would never survive the crash. There was a momentary pause after the truck hit the tanker. The pool of oil in the gutter ignited from the sparks and, within seconds, there was an explosion which rocked the whole residential estate. Flames shot out with unprecedented levels engulfing both vehicles, as well as setting fire to the road and the pavement.
‘What the hell was that?’ enquired Charles as the explosion caused the bungalow to shake to its foundation.
‘It’s all over, Charles,’ explained Rhona. ‘Jennifer’s gone! And so had Purdy. She couldn’t resist taking her revenge. That was the big effort... to make sure he got what was coming to him. Go and see her final work. She wants you to see it.’
The banker left the bungalow and hurried to the main road. He stared at the debacle watching the flames rage across the two vehicles. He shook his head sadly. Perhaps that was the reason Jennifer would be returned in another form into this world, he though to himself. She sought revenge more that anything else and that wasn’t the way to achieve perfection of the soul. Strangely enough, he was disappointed in her for the first time in his life. Rhona had told him that she was gone for good. He understood what that meant... at least he though he did. As he turned from the conflagration to return to his home... back to Rhona... he realised that life had to go on. People came and people went... but life had to go on!
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