CHAPTER THIRTEEN – BROKEN DOWN

But their good mood was short-lived. About an hour into their journey, the car began to make a strange rattling noise. "Um, Mark? What's that sound?" Laura asked, concern creeping into her voice. Mark frowned, leaning forward to listen more closely. "I'm not sure. It's probably nothing." But the rattling grew louder, and suddenly, a plume of smoke began to billow from under the hood. Mark cursed, quickly pulling over onto the shoulder of the highway. They got out of the car, coughing as the acrid smoke enveloped them. Mark popped the hood, waving his hand to clear the air. "What's wrong with it?" Laura asked, peering at the engine. Mark shook his head. "I have no idea. I'm not exactly a mechanic." Laura crossed her arms. "Didn't you say you were going to get the car serviced before our trip?" Mark's face reddened. "I, uh, might have forgotten." "You forgot?" Laura's voice rose. "Mark, we're in the middle of nowhere!" "I've been busy, okay?" Mark shot back. "Some of us still h