the music played with a calming frequency

the speakers gently seeped the sound of ambient keyboards and light percussion

creating a seductive soundtrack to our midnight drive through curtains of blackness

the windows were cold to the touch

reflecting the icy conditions in our immediate extremity

salt stains and fingerprints littered the glass

and streaks of melting snow cascaded down its length

the music pulsed louder yet gentle

like the far away squeal of a pot of boiling water

the skyline was glowing faintly with vague hints of an impending dawn

the car raced along a painfully straight stretch of road

and she hadn't so much as turned the steering wheel two degrees in the last twenty minutes

nor had we spoken

"why are you doing this?" she spoke as if not expecting a response

her voice penetrated the still air of our speechless drive

so suddenly that my heart had jumped

"i'm not doing anything" i said but i didn't even believe that myself

"this is what's best for me for you for us" or maybe just for me i thought

as a tear formed in the pit of her eye

the music poured through the speakers and we were losing ourselves in the cadence

she looked down momentarily and closed her eyes for a bit longer than a standard blink

then she was crying then she was shouting then i was shouting

now pouring confessions having no answers or solutions

we barely even knew the questions as we were so perfect so happy

they'll remember only our smiles 'cause that's all they've seen

long since dried when we are found are the tears in which we had drowned

don't put me underground i was meant for a life somewhere else

please love give me the wheel before both of our hearts you will steal tonight (will steal tonight)

don't remember only your smiles 'cause that's all they've seen

long since dried when we are found are the tears in which we had drowned

our cracking voices became part of the music

the car pressed on faster through the night as our voices lowered

the cadence again overtook the air

up ahead there was a curve approaching

she made no indications of slowing