Frankie walked around the car. He checked the rear passenger tire again, shook his head, and peered up and down the road, lit by a handful of lights as far as he could see.
He checked his phone; barely a bar and barely a charge. 2:23 a.m. Going to be a long night, as if it isn't already. He doubted there'd be passersby before dawn.
He cursed out loud, sat on the ground by the bumper, and pulled out a cigarette. Thanks goodness I didn't throw these away yet.
He lit up, inhaled, and jumped at the bone-chilling howl.
