LEFT BEHIND

Prologue

By Meloira

NEW YEAR’S EVE

"Aren’t you going to call Dad and let him know we’re on our way home?" Ryan glanced over at his wife. He could barely see her by the glow from the dashboard.

"Nope. I thought we’d let it be a surprise. Besides, I think he’ll be relieved to see us," Vicky laughed. "By now the kids probably have him ripping out all that hair and wishing he’d stayed in the jungle for Christmas. I wonder how Michael and Donna are doin’ back there?" Vicky tried to sneak a look at her parents in the back seat of the minivan.

"They slept through your last rest stop and are still cutting some major logs. Vic honey, I love your folks, but next time we leave them at home."

"Agreed." Vicky leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I can’t wait to get home to our little brats. I miss them when we go away."

"That’s not what you were telling me last night. Of course, most of what you said in the wee hours couldn’t be repeated in polite company."

"Ryan!" Vicky punched him playfully on the shoulder. "You better be a good boy Captain, or you won’t get a New Year’s kiss."

"Yes ma’am."

Vicky was about to punch him again when the lights from an oncoming car hit them in the face.

"Jeez, that jerk’s got his lights on awfully bright." Vicky tried to shield her eyes from the glare. "Honey, isn’t that car moving a little too fast on these roads?" The car’s headlights began to weave back and forth.

"He’s in trouble, that’s for sure. I can’t edge over much further though." Ryan slowed the van down as the light came closer.

"Ryan!"

"I see them." Ryan knew the narrow road wasn’t going to give him any escape. "I love you Vic."

"I love you too."

Their hands found each other just as the light swallowed them up.

To be continued…