There was only one hope I had with the causeway under water and basically closed.
There was another road, it was long way round but it meant driving up the side of Taylors Mountain then crossing Alcock’s Bridge. This bridge was unique in that it was built high above the water level and was often open even in the most treacherous of times.
I checked my fuel levels they would be ok, as I knew the road was usually at least an hour to navigate.
I rang Maria to tell her I was taking the long way round. She wasn’t happy about me being out on the roads as there had been reports of landslips and of trees over some roads.
I said not to worry as I knew the road and I would be careful.
The rain had stopped apart from a persistent misting enough to have to use the wipers.
About twenty kilometers along the road a sign pointed to Taylor’s Mountain Road.
From here on I know it would a dirt road. Added to that was the fact that it was beginning to rain again and so visibility was further reduced, which meant a slower trip.
As I navigated my way along to windy dirt road, I couldn’t help but notice that in places the side of the road had slipped away and in some places I slowed to a crawl to get by places where small rivers were now running, huge rocks had been exposed from the erosion by the rain, and each had to be negotiated over, around and in some cases across.
I must have been about half way along Taylor’s Mountain Road when I felt the car slide to the left, then before I could correct, I was slipping down the side of the mountain.
It is a helpless feeling to know you have no control and that if you didn’t stop soon the chances of you surviving would decrease by the second.
But stop I did, with a terrible jolt that momentarily stunned me. My seat belt had held me in place, but as the vehicle was stuck on the side of a steep slope, and was smashed in on the left side, I had to push hard against my door to open it. What made it hard I discovered was the pain in my left arm; I suddenly realized it was not cooperating with the right one.
I later discovered my ulna was smashed, how, I have no answer.
It took what felt like an eternity to get the door open, and then another eternity for me to prize myself out of the vehicle. As I fell to the ground beside the right front wheel I heard a groan from the vehicle as gravity ripped it from its holding place and my forty thousand dollar four wheel drive disappeared into the gloom.
I sat for a while determining where I thought I was. The road over Taylor’s Mountain I knew but not the territory. My best bet I thought was to get back onto the road and follow that. But I estimated I had about thirty kilometers still to go, just to get to Alcock’s Bridge.
I crawled up to the road, as the climb was steep and with only one arm in service it was a laborious effort to make it to the road, or what was left of it. Where there was once a road was huge gash in the road where at least half the road surface was now sitting somewhere at the bottom of the mountain along with my car.
My only option I knew was to walk. As it was dark and still raining visibility was poor and I hoped that I could make my way along the now treacherous road.
My one desire in doing this was to get home. It was Christmas and Maria and I had never missed a Christmas together. I was determined to make it time as well, come hell or literally high water.
Dear Readers if you have read Part 1 please note that I have made a small editorial decision in that story which will impact on the end of this tale. That being an extra phrase into the second last paragraph.
Morpethroad 
How frightening this must have been, Michael. I consider myself a ‘flat lander.’ I prefer to drive on flat land, am rather frightened of driving in mountains. Anyway, I am glad you survived, only broken an ulna, came out of this situation alive.
Thank you Mary, please remember it is a story….I have been in these places but not in this situation, thankfully.
But I am pleased you see a sense of reality in what I write. I do try.
Each story I write is a challenge to me to create the scenario and make it believable.
Though my Story 3 is the only true one I have written.
Thanks for the explanation, Michael! I am glad it did not happen to you. But yes, it did SEEM real, which is a good thing.
I’m glad to hear it is fiction!! Great drama, looking forward to how it develops!! 🙂 🙂
Hopefully I want you yo shed a tear, maybe??
Only seeing this comment after I read the last part, and rest assured, I shed more than one tear!! 🙂
Oh good, imagine how many I shed writing it.
I think it’s wonderful that words can create an emotional response.
Thanks again.
Isn’t it interesting that we cry as we create a story? With my third novel – the one I’m vacillating about publishing – I even cried when I did the first edit before I sent it to my professional editor…it’s odd, but hopefully means the work is emotionally resonant. Your story here certainly was!! 🙂
Yes good point, I have been thinking about why i do that, as I do it a lot. Maybe there is a longing within me, not to be in the position of my characters but to have their sense of expectation.
Possibly – I often think I write of qualities I lack, or perhaps that I’ve lost…so there may be that sense of longing…like a magician writing to bring something into being by sheer will. It’s an interesting thought!! 🙂
Very realistic and captivating Michael! If you had not written that this did not happen to you, I would definitely believe you had been through this.
Hmm…you think that takes away from the story?
Thanks Gabriella I do try to create a reality about what I write so I appreciate that comment about it appearing realistic.
No, it doesn’t take anything away. Feel reassured!
Thank you Part three goes up tomorrow…see what you think about me then….
I am with Gabriella, the way you have written is very realistic indeed my friend, I pictured the whole scene, the car sliding, trying to open the door. Excellent story telling.
Thanks, you see why I was enjoying the writing.
Yes now I do…. you became absorbed as did your reader. 🙂
Now that is a lovely compliment, you gain another credit….
one less iced vo-vo?
😉
you are welcome
you keep that up and we are talking packets…lol
excellent smithers 😉
Shhhh……if word gets out they’ll all be wanting the same credit….shhhhhhh
ok shooshing…. 😉
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I agree with Helen the drama is fabulous, you had my heart going!
Thank you Yves, happy I could get you in.
=)
Lots of visual action. What an ordeal!
Thanks RoSy, it was wasn’t it.