Hit And Run
by David Gianatasio

What was that? You heard it, right? That thud ... a big wet THOMP. Sounded like we hit something, or... Look in the rearview. See anything? Thank God, it was nothing.

Probably nothing. Just a pothole. Or a rock. Maybe a branch fell onto the road. I didn't SEE any branches, though. And it sure felt like SOMETHING. Something big. Very solid—a solid wet THRUMP.

You heard it, right? Well, I heard it, I can tell you that. Hmm, I don't SEE anything back there...still. We could've hit an animal and knocked it clear off the road. Or a person. A child maybe. A kid would be small enough so we couldn't see...

It can happen! I've read about it somewhere. Probably nothing...but...I'm stopping the car. I know we're late. I can SEE it's raining, thank you… You stay here, warm and dry. I'll just be a minute. I just want to check, then I'll feel better, OK? I'll just walk around here and...thank God, nothing. No marks or dings, like we hit something. Better check all around.

Of course, THAT scrape does look fresh, but I think I noticed it a couple weeks ago. And the rain's getting pretty bad—it could've washed away any...I AM getting back in the car. Yes. I KNOW we're late. I just wanted to make sure, that's all. Here we go—we're on our way again, OK? Man, dark country roads on rainy nights! Why don't you put on the radio, take our minds off... Hey, you know what?... I'm gonna turn around.

I just want to drive back a ways and...I am NOT being ridiculous! I want to make SURE. Yes, I already got out and checked the car. Yes, I can SEE there's nothing in the road behind us. BUT...I didn't check the SIDES OF THE ROAD. And I felt that THUMP at least a mile back. If something—or someone—is hurt, they'd be back where we heard that sound. Well, I'M driving and I want to go back, so we're going back. That way, we'll be sure. We'll know. OK? Then we can drive a little faster, make up for lost time.

OK, Eagle Eye: look into the woods on either side and let me know if you see anything... Just DO IT, OK? Don't give me attitude. If you see something—or someone—crawling along or not moving, we can call for help. Just look, OK? Humor me. That's right. Good, thank you.

See anything? Anything at all? Man, these woods are thick, I wonder if any bears live in ...CHRIST! Right there, near that mound of leaves...I could swear I saw something. Low to the ground, you know? Like, maybe someone thrown from the road.

I SAW something, dammit! And that's about the spot I heard the THROMP. I'm going to circle back around... It'll take a minute! Two minutes, that's all. Is that too much time when it comes to saving a human life? I thought not. OK, that's better. Let's go. YES, BOTH of us! C'mon—I might need your help. You're the one who knows CPR and first aid. Well, bring the umbrella. C'mon...right here...over here...by the big clump of...

O-kay. Look, see! I told you! A jacket! We must've hit someone and knocked the jacket clean off the guy's back! Why are you looking at me like that? I am NOT crazy! Sure, the jacket looks like it's been here for weeks. SO WHAT? That's because of the rain. Let's hunt around. Come on! We must've hit someone and now he needs our help.

HELLO! HELLO! CAN YOU HEAR ME? I'm calling out to the guy we knocked off the road. Who the hell else would I be calling to? HELLO! HELLO! Hey, maybe his jacket went one way and he went the other! I bet he's on the other side of the road. It can happen. I'm sure I read about it someplace. On some blog. I'm going over there for a look.

What do you mean, "Over where?" The other side of the road! Where else would I go? Stop complaining—YOU'VE got the goddamn umbrella! I'm the one getting soaked! Just keep searching on YOUR side of the road, OK? Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, for Chrissakes! Feel around in the muck—come on! Oh, you scraped your knees—you tore your dress? BIG DEAL! Just keep rooting around! And stop saying I'm crazy!

HELLO! HELLO! CAN YOU HEAR ME?—OH MY GOD! Look at this. Right here! A sneaker. At least, I think it's a sneaker. We must've knocked the guy's clothes clear off in every direction! I know it looks like it's been out here forever—I can see it's half-disintegrated. That's just because of the rain. And the impact of the collision.

HELLO! HELLO! Hey, can you grab my cell from the glove compartment. What do you MEAN, "WHY?" We've got to call the cops...or an ambulance! There's a badly injured naked guy out here who needs help! And stop LOOKING at me like that! Just go back to the car and grab my phone, OK? It's the least you can do. Thank you! I'll keep looking around... God, I hope the guy's gonna be OK ... HELLO!

What are you DOING? Why'd you start the car? Where the hell are you going? OH—I SEE! Great idea! That'll help us search a lot better. Drive around here and shine the high-beams into the...

HEY!—HEYSTOPWHATTHEHELLAREYOU -----

THOMP!