Disclaimer: This is the 3rd part of an ongoing story, Appalachia: 1994. For part 2 click here 

After Sam’s visions started to end, she could finally move again. She woke up, still affected by what horrors she had seen. Despite waking up to reality, she still had tears in her eyes, and did not look much better than she did the night before. She managed to get herself together, for now.

“Good morning, Sam. You woke up just as we started driving again.” He knew of Sam’s troubles, so to get her mind off things, he sparked a conversation.

“I- we- none of you are dead?” Sam hyperventilated, trying to calm herself down. “Good morning.” She looked around, confused and happy that what she had seen was just a nightmare. 

“Uhm… what do you mean?” Fritz hesitated. Sam looked at him. Despite still being frightened, she managed a slight smile of relief.

“I saw things. I saw horrible things. I saw them in my sleep, but it felt too real to be a nightmare. It was like I was in the future. Almost like I was seeing a vision of what is going to happen to us.” She tried to move on. “I think something is actually wrong. It all started when we stayed the night on the road.” Sam’s friends tried to believe her, but couldn’t. The only one who took her seriously was Jacob.

Jacob sighed, thinking deeply about what Sam was saying. “Look at me Sam.” She brought her attention to him, trying to remain calm. He tried to provide reassurance. “Nothing is gonna happen. You are safe here I promise. Nothing can or will hurt you. Believe me, ok?” Jacob said, trying to calm Sam down.

“But what if something does happen, and I can’t prevent it. What if you all die and I can’t do anything. What if our parents die and we don’t even get the chance to say goodbye,” she said, her voice shaking. “What if-” Sam stopped herself, listening to what Jacob had told her.

“Sam, you probably are just scared of being away from home. Once we get to our location, everything will be ok. Trust me,” Amy said, smiling. 

“Amy’s right. Once we make it to our spot, then we can forget all of this, and have a good time,” Fritz stated. 

“Don’t let your thoughts prevent you from having a good time,” Hannah added. Jeremy looked back from the driver’s seat. 

“Yeah, Sam. you are in good hands. We won’t let anything bad happen to any of us,” Jeremy said, feeling genuinely bad.

Sam smiled, already feeling better. “Thanks guys. Maybe I really did get caught up in my own head.” She laughed, thinking more positively. Everyone joined in, and continued their journey. 

Hannah replied with, “You are welcome. But seriously you have nothing to fear.” Then, an idea came to her mind. “I know what will make this whole situation better.”

“What might that be?” Fritz answered. Sam got excited, and also wanted to know. 

She continued. “How about, we get food. Sam, you have had a pretty bad night, and I know you are hungry.” She giggled. “None of us have eaten anything yet anyways, so we’re all hungry I’m sure.” Everyone laughed, before Jeremy interrupted.  

“Yeah, we all probably are. What is everyone thinking?” Jeremy asked. Everybody thought for a moment. 

“What about pancakes and waffles,” Fritz suggested. Amy and Sam agreed. Hannah and Jacob looked at each other and laughed, also thinking pancakes would be good. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll take us to the nearest fast food location, but first, let me find the way back to the main route. Y’all can wait a second.” Jeremy looked back, trying to keep a straight face.

Everyone was enjoying themselves, unknowing of the fact that the worst of their problems hadn’t even started yet…