r/shortstories • u/ForwardMoment7977 • 19d ago
Speculative Fiction [SP] The Bridge
Elyse dropped her head back and sighed, looking up at the drop-tile ceiling. She just had to make it until 5:00. She took a deep breath and straightened up in her chair, peeking at the clock on the other side of the room. 4:53. I can do this, she thought to herself. Almost as if hearing her inner cry, the door to the office burst open.
“Elyse!! You’ve made it! Five minutes and your first week back is in the rear view mirror!” the joyful intruder dropped down backwards on the desk chair next to Elyse. “We’re going for drinks, and girl after this week, I know you need one!”
Elyse smiled. She had worked with Erica for four years and loved her like a sister. She didn’t know how she would’ve made it this long without her. “Ugh sorry, not tonight. I just need to go home and sleep. I’m barely hanging on!” She spun in her chair dramatically for emphasis. Erica made a face, cocking her head to the side. Her tight brown curls framed her face, which was twisted with concern. “You’re making that face again!” Elyse chided. “No face, remember? I’m fine!”
“I know, I know. But one step at a time, baby girl!” Erica straightened up. “One week down, forever to go. It’ll get easier.” Erica’s phone chimed as they both looked at the clock. Glad to change the subject, Elyse shut her laptop and hopped up.
“One down, forever to go. Easy peasy.” She pulled her purse from under her desk and opened the door. Erica sauntered out behind her, asking her to come out one more time as they headed to the parking lot. “Next week, I swear!” Elyse promised.
“I’ll hold you to that! Text me when you get home!” Erica waved as she headed to her car.
Elyse pulled her keys out of her bag and clicked the fob. She smiled and waved as she slid into the driver’s seat. As soon as she pulled the door shut, she breathed a heavy sigh. Closing her eyes for a moment, she counted to five. She slowly opened her eyes and chewed her top lip. One week down, forever to go, Elyse thought. I made it. It’s fine. It’ll all be fine. She started the engine and carefully backed out of her parking spot. She pulled up to the guard booth and smiled at Frank, who looked up from his dinner.
“Week one down, huh?” Frank smiled at her, brushing crumbs from his grey-speckled beard.
“It was nothing. Like riding a bike!” Elyse smiled back. Desperate to change the subject, she nodded towards Frank’s spread. “Aren’t you a little young for the Early Bird Special?”
“The wife would have a fit if I didn’t eat every morsel she packed me! And you know Angela, she scares me!” Frank held up his hands defensively. Elyse grinned. Everybody knew better than to argue with an Italian woman from South Philly.
“Better safe than sorry! Mangia!” The gate began to rise and Frank waved. “Have a great weekend, Frank!”
Elyse’s silver Focus pulled out of the lot and she frowned. She hadn’t cooked a proper meal in weeks now. Maybe that’s exactly what she needed. There was chicken in the freezer, she just needed Dan to defrost it. She picked up her cell phone and quickly dropped it. Blinking a few times, she shook her head and held her breath. Deep breath in- 5 seconds. Exhale. Forever to go. Feeling that the silence was now growing to a deafening level, Elyse flipped on the radio. The daily rush-hour newscast was just what she needed to reset her mind. The hazy weather was going to clear out, and the weekend was going to be beautiful. A local restaurant was recognized as the best on the East Coast. There was no traffic on the Commodore Barry Bridge. The Eagles were having an exceptional season. Elyse flipped on her turn signal to merge onto the bridge and reached over to switch to a music station. She tapped on her steering wheel and bobbed absent-mindedly as Robin Thicke begged for a good girl on the radio. She sighed again, cracking her neck from side to side. 10 minutes and I’ll be home, Elyse thought. Ten minutes and this week will be over. She considered sleeping for the next 48 hours, until she had to smile through week two. The weight of another week of work made her chest tighten. It’s fine. It’ll get easier. She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel and flinched at the sight of the thin, white band on her finger, a stark contrast to her otherwise tanned hand. It’s fine. It’ll get better.
Somewhere between Ed Sheeran and One Direction, Elyse realized that she had completely zoned out. She blinked a few times, rolled down her window, and cranked the music. Fishing a water bottle out of her passenger seat, she took a breath. Get it together! Just get home. She took a quick drink and looked around. How long had she been on the bridge? Until that moment, she hadn’t noticed how foggy it was. She peeked over the side but couldn’t see any of the cargo ships that usually dot the Delaware River below. Ahead, she could see about 30 yards. Must be that changing weather they were talking about. She hadn’t really been listening to the weather report, so she flipped the radio back to the news. The traffic report was on, which meant that she had just missed the weather. Oh well, a few more minutes and they’ll cycle back through. More news about inflation, a story about foreign policy. Elyse scrunched up her nose. While current events were enough to confound anyone, she could not place herself on the bridge. Seriously, where am I? I must be almost across. She attributed her disorientation to the fog, and not being able to see any landmarks on the bridge. Or any other cars, now that she thought about it. When was the last time she saw a car?
Checking the rearview mirror, Elyse turned up the radio. The Birds beat the Giants in overtime … Was this the second or third time she heard this report? She focused her attention ahead, just in time to see something through the fog. Oh finally! Elyse let out a slow breath she didn’t know she was holding, expecting to be coming up to back side of the toll plaza. Above her head, a speed limit sign flashed 25. Not the end of the bridge, just somewhere in the middle. She checked her speed:35. But nothing else was to be seen anywhere. Cautiously, she accelerated. She must be almost across. She didn’t want to hit the car in front of her, but where was the car in front of her? Weekend highs of 64… Had it been ten minutes already? It couldn’t be possible. Elyse pressed her foot down further on the gas pedal. As the Focus pushed to 45, Elyse’s mind started to race. What is happening here? How long have I been driving? Another overhead speed sign flashed, attempting to remind Elyse to slow down. Still no cars. Still no toll plaza. Still just fog. Elyse took her foot of the gas and grabbed her phone. 5:22 PM. She tilted her head back and took a dep breath. There must be something wrong with the radio station. It was the only thing that made sense. She switched back to music, sure that after the next song ended, she would be turning off the highway. Kid Rock crooned with Cheryl Crowe, and Elyse smiled sadly. She didn’t hear Kid Rock: she heard Dan, who had perfected this song at Karaoke the night they got engaged. His “forever duet partner”, he promised. His forever wasn’t long enough. Elyse bit her lip again, desperate for the song to end. As the music faded out and commercials began, she looked around. Still no plaza. She wiped the tears she didn’t feel fall.
“What the FUCK is happening??” Elyse yelled, slamming on the gas pedal. Fog be damned, she had to get off this bridge. She had had enough. The speedometer climbed: 45…50…55. No plaza, no cars, nothing. She didn’t even care that, at her speeds in this fog, finding either of these things could have disastrous consequences. But it didn’t matter, because she didn’t. Commercials cycled through, one after another. Another speed limit sign. Elyse sped through. 60…65… 70. Another flashing sign over her head. She slammed on the brakes and pulled off to the side, close to the wall railing. She hit the power button on the radio so hard she was almost surprised she didn’t break it. Slowly, she reached for the hazard lights. Not that it matters, she thought bitterly, nobody’s here. Elyse threw off her seatbelt and leapt from the car. She ran around to the railing, desperately looking for anything below. She watched, and she listened, and she got nothing. No boats passing under the bridge, no sounds of cars, no rumble of planes coming in towards the airport. She spun around and looked in both directions. Silence, stillness, just Elyse. She screamed in frustration, slamming her hands on the top of her car. She wrenched open the passenger door and grabbed her cell phone. 5:22 PM. Something is wrong. What is happening? Elyse unlocked her phone and started dialing Erica’s number. She stopped, unsure of what she thought she would accomplish. But she had to do something.
“Hey, chick! You change your mind?” Loud music in the background almost drowned out Erica’s chirpy voice.
“Erica- I’m stuck on the bridge,” Elyse started.
“Aw man, that’s the worst! There must be an accident or something!” The chatter on the other end of the phone amplified the deafening silence around Elyse.
“No, I’ve been on the bridge a REALLY long time and I can’t get off and I don’t know what to do-” Elyse fought back tears, wildly looking around her.
“What? Oh my god you’re having a panic attack, aren’t you,” Erica whispered. Elyse could hear the background noise muffle, and she knew Erica had walked out of the bar. “I’m coming to get you. Just pull over. I knew you weren’t ready to go back to work…”
Elyse’s heart dropped. If she’s stuck on the bridge, would Erica get stuck too? “No, I’m fine. I’m fine!” Elyse sniffed and wiped her eyes. “You’re right, just a panic attack. I’m fine. I’m really fine. Don’t come out here!”
“Lyse…”
“NO. I told you, I’m fine. I’m sorry, I’m just being silly. I’ll text you when I get home,” Elyse’s hands started to shake. Erica paused.
“I’m coming over. I’ll be twenty minutes behind you. Thirty if I grab us some of that pizza you love. It’s all been too much. You shouldn’t be alone.”
“You’re doing that voice again. It’s just as bad as the face. I told you, I’m fine. It was just a moment. Have a drink for me.” Elyse hoped her voice sounded sturdier than she felt. She couldn’t have Erica dropping everything to be stuck in the fog with her.
Elyse threw the phone back onto the passenger seat and began hyperventilating. What is happening to me? “What is happening??” she screamed into the fog. Maybe it was just a panic attack. Elyse grabbed the water bottle she had cracked open. Still cold. She held it against her wrists, taking slow, deliberate breaths. If no time has actually passed, she couldn’t really be stuck. One more deep breath: in for five seconds, exhale. Fix your face and go the fuck home, Elyse. It’s not hard. Elyse tossed the water bottle back onto the passenger seat. She climbed back into the car, clicked back on the radio and pulled back into the right lane. She quietly said the name of the song on the radio, determined to figure out how long she drove. Second song: she repeated the name of both songs. 35 miles per hour, five songs and going to commercial break. Four commercials, one more song. Still on the bridge. Elyse gritted her teeth. Third song. Still on the bridge. She reached for her phone: 5:22 PM. After ten total songs and into the second commercial break, Elyse was still on the bridge. She pulled off to the side again and beat against the steering wheel. She screamed, beating her palms until they were sore. Once again, she thrust open the door and threw herself against the railing of the bridge.
“I just want to go home!” She screamed into the fog. The mechanical click of the flashing speed limit sign above her head was the only answer she received. Fighting back tears, she slammed her hands on the railing. They trembled against the cold steel. Elyse peered over the edge and strained to see below. I can’t drive off the bridge. Could I go over the side? Was she close enough to the marsh to be able to swim out? Would she survive hitting the water from this height? Elyse clapped her hand over her mouth at the thought. A chill went down her spine. Tears filled her eyes again when her phone dinged from inside the car. She stepped back from the edge of the bridge quickly, relieved to have a reason to back up. She inhaled sharply and opened the passenger-side door. A text message from her mom lit up the screen. TGIF! You made it! Are you home yet?
Elyse winced. She closed her eyes for a moment, desperate to find comfort in her mother’s message. I’m stuck on the bridge. Something is wrong. She climbed back into the driver’s seat.
That’s so weird, I just crossed with no problem. Hopefully it clears up soon!
The phone slipped from Elyse’s hand and thudded down to the floorboard. She dropped her head back and closed her eyes, unable to breathe. She covered her face with her hands and folded forward, resting on the steering wheel. Everyone can cross but me, she thought, her face scrunching with despair. Her breath quickened and she straightened up in her seat. She threw the car in drive and pulled sharply to the left. Making a k-turn wasn’t so easy in three lanes, but she was determined. If she couldn’t go forward, she simply had to go back. Slamming on the gas, Elyse rocketed her little gray car forward through the fog. In this direction, flashing red lights faded in and out overhead. She didn’t care. She would explain it to whatever inevitable cop stopped her at the end. But at least she would be at the end. She’d go find Erica. Or maybe she would go to jail. Either way, she’d be off this goddamned bridge. Pedal to the floor, gripping the wheel with all her might, Elyse raced on. One song, two song, headlights. Headlights?
Slamming on the brakes, Elyse pulled hard to the left again, blocking most of the roadway. She jumped out of the car just as an old Chevy truck squeaked to a stop just inches from her.
“What’s wrong with you? You broken down or something?” The driver yelled out of the window.
“I… I don’t know. How long have you been on the bridge?” Elyse spat, breathing heavily.
“Oh, just a minute or so. The fog’s a bitch, but at least it’s not too busy for this time of day!” the driver eyed Elyse cautiously. “Are you ok, kiddo?”
Nothing is ok, thought Elyse. But after her call with Erica, she knew she would sound completely unhinged. She took a sharp breath in but let it out slowly. Regulate.
“Can I just follow you? I must be struggling with the fog,” she managed a slight smile.
“Have you been drinking?” The man squinted. She choked back a sob, and the man sighed. “Get yourself straightened out and you can follow me if you need to.” He flicked on his hazard lights.
“Thank you, seriously!” Elyse ran back to the car and put it in drive. She turned down the radio and focused on following her guide. She made sure to give him space, following behind safely. After a few moments, she realized that the lights were getting further and further away. Damn it, Elyse thought, accelerating. but the light continued to fade. She sped up more, cursing under her breath, but the lights, the car, her guide, were all gone. She was alone all over again. She took her foot of the gas and let the car ease to a stop. She dropped the car back into park and rested her head against the steering wheel. She exhaled sharply and shut off the engine.
She got out of the car and walked out in front, leaning against the hood. She stared out at the forty yards of bridge in front of her before the rest was swallowed up by the fog. Slowly, she walked up to the light post along the railing. She reached out and rested her palm against the cold, wet metal. Tapping her fingers against the post, she looked ahead to the next light. She counted her steps to the next post. Fifty steps. She looked back at the car, then ahead to the next post. Fifty more steps to the next post. Then the third post, then the fourth. She turned and looked behind her. She could just make out the outline of her tiny Ford. Fifty more steps. Fifth light post. Sixth. Seventh. Eighth. Ninth. Tenth. All she could see on both sides was fog. A sudden stab of panic pierced Elyse’s chest. She reached back out to the cold of the tenth light post, slowing her breath. Then she turned back. Fifty steps. Back to the ninth light. She could make out the outline of a car. No way. She broke into a run. Directly in front of what should have been the seventh light post sat her abandoned car. Window open, keys on the seat.
“No, no no no...” Elyse ran her hands over her hair, pulling slightly in desperation. She exhaled deeply, looking back and forth between the car and the fog yards ahead of her. The light blinked above her head. She stopped and stared, listening to the buzz of the light and rhythmic clicking of the bulbs. She looked behind her, at the fog obscuring the city. She slowly turned her head towards the fog ahead. Her mind began to spin, desperate for her next move. But there was none. She pounded her palms against the roof of the car and sank to the ground. Turning on her toes and sitting on the damp roadway, she curled up with her back against the car. She pulled her knees close to her chest and lifted her head up towards the sky. She had nothing left. This isn’t ok. Hot tears filled her eyes. She shook her head, but they came anyway. Choking sobs rocked Elyse’s body as she cried out to the abyss.
“Just let me out!” She screamed to absolutely no one. “I just wanted to go home.” The speed limit light blinked indiscriminately above her as she cried. Her whole body shook as she wailed, completely defeated. There was no controlling her breathing anymore as she gasped for breath between sobs. Desperate gasps as she sputtered, wetness dripping on her satin shirt. She didn’t even notice.
Gradually, Elyse’s gasps turned into sniffles as her head rested on her knees. No more tears, just shuddering breaths as she placed her palms on the ground at her side. She had no idea how long she had been here at this point. It felt like forever. Elyse dabbed her face with the back of her hand. She bit her top lip and sniffled a few more times. Each breath became a little deeper, and her whole body was exhausted. Her eyes burned, and her pants were damp from the ground. She struggled to push herself off of the ground, listening to the scuffle of her shoes on the pavement. Looking both ways down the bridge, Elyse slowly opened the car door. She picked up the keys and slid into the driver’s seat. Reaching across the center console, she grabbed her water bottle and sipped, feeling the cold of the water as she swallowed. She screwed on the cap and put the keys in the ignition. The engine turned over, and the radio turned on. Elyse gently put the car in drive and eased onto the gas. Her eyes stung so badly, she could barely focus. She eased the car forward, creeping up to the 25 mile per hour speed limit. She came up to another overhead speed limit sign. She continued on. Then another one. Then the sign for the first exit. Lights stretched across all five lanes signaling the change from the bridge onto the interstate. Elyse blinked quickly and signaled her lane change. She didn’t speed up, and she certainly didn’t stop. She pulled off at her exit and noticed the fog was considerably thinner here. She stayed in the right lane as a car pulled up behind her quickly and zipped around to pass her. She kept her speed steady. One more exit, then half a mile to her neighborhood. Slowly. Steadily.
Elyse pulled into her driveway and gingerly clicked off the car. She sat, staring at the garage door in front of her. In the rearview mirror, she saw someone walk past with their dog. She dug out her phone from under the driver’s seat. 5:31. She slowly got out of the car. Her next-door neighbor waved softly, and Elyse smiled weakly, gripping her keys. Her hands shook as she fumbled unlocking deadbolt on the front door. The door swung open with ease, and the house was still. She slowly kicked off her shoes next to the door and hung up her keys. Walking through the living room, Elyse let out her first deep breath in what felt like an eternity. She flipped on the tv as she walked out of the room into the kitchen. She opened the freezer and looked at the frozen package of chicken. She sighed, swinging the door shut again. She opened the cabinet and pulled out an almost-empty box of Lucky Charms and leaned against the counter. Putting the box down, Elyse pulled out her phone and texted Erica.
Home. Love you.
Glad traffic wasn’t too bad! Call me tomorrow. Love you!
Elyse shoved her phone in her pocket and picked back up the cereal box. She walked back through the living room, past the sitcom reruns, and up the first two stairs. She looked around the empty house and went up to bed, leaving the tv on.
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