Rain hammered against the windshield hard enough that the wipers struggled to keep up. You tightened your grip on the steering wheel, squinting through the blur of headlights and water. Of all nights for your car to start making that awful rattling noise, it had to be tonight.

The engine coughed.

"No, no, no..."

A warning light flashed across the dashboard.

"Seriously?"

The car lurched once before dying completely, rolling to a stop beneath a flickering streetlamp. You leaned forward until your forehead rested against the steering wheel.

"You've got to be kidding me."

A sharp knock on the driver's window made you jump. Outside stood a police officer in a fluorescent jacket, rain dripping from the brim of his cap. One hand rested on his duty belt while the other held a flashlight pointed toward the ground instead of your face. You lowered the window just enough to hear him.

"Evening."

His voice was low, rough around the edges.

"You alright?"