Title: Life's Too Short For Grudges
Fandom: Trucks (Short Story by Stephen King)
Characters: OC's  [two humans and two trucks]
Rating: Teen
Warnings: implied death (car crash)
Words: 788
Summery: the main character learns that it's not always easy to forgive someone
Additional Note: Written in first person POV as the story by King

I couldn't believe my eyes, when I saw the Kenworth emerging from the crash side. I told myself that this had to be a dream since the impossible had happened and the one, who I had thought would be the winner, was the loser.

I wasn't foolish enough to believe that there would be better times. No, I was certain that in the end he would rule over us as well. Perhaps life would be easier, since he had always been of a more gentle nature. At least compared to our previous ruler, the Mack.

I knew that I should be relieved to see him yet I couldn't bear the view of him. I hastily turned away but I heard him approaching me. It was no use to try to go faster, he would always be faster.

"Couldn't you two just settle it in a different way?" I asked the Kenworth with a broken voice. I didn't had the pleasure to expire the different of the our previous ruler for long but in that short time, I've learned that just like every sentient being he could be gentle, if he just wanted to be.

A single indignant honk, along with two smoke clouds emerging from his exhausting pipes where everything I've got in return.

I turned my eyes away and continued my way. "Leave me alone." I tried to ignore the engine sounds, which gave away that I've hurt him with my words. Part of me knew that it was not right but I needed to be sad and angry for a while.

In the following days I tried to avoid his presence as best as possible. Our paths only crossed at the gas station, which was unavoidable, since I worked there. I still greeted him like usual but I only spoke the bare minimum.

"What's troubling you, little bird?" Larry asked, when he saw me leaning against the gas pump, gazing into the distant.
"Just thought about the past." He nodded, even he didn't knew which past I was talking about.
"Life's not fair kiddo. You know: If there is one thing, I've learned since the day we've been robbed of our previous life, than that life is too short to hold grudges. I often wish I could turn back the time, just to say I'm sorry."
I knew what Larry was referring to, we've talked long and often about our past lives.

It dawned on me that I would probably feel better if I could just forget the youngest past, close this chapter of my life and carry on.
"It's not easy to forgive someone who has hurt you, even you know it was unavoidable and the one couldn't know what deep of a wound he would inflict on you."
"Wanna talk, little bird?" Larry laid one arm around my waist and pulled me into an embrace.
I shook my head. "No. Just say nothing and hold me."

When I had finally found the strength to break the embrace I knew what I had to do. "Thank you, Larry-bear". I even managed a real smile today.

It was late in the afternoon, short before I would close the gas station, when I heard him rolling over the street. He wouldn't come for fuel, I had refilled his tank yesterday.

I knew where the Kenworth had his favorite parking lot. I didn't bothered with first going home to change clothes. In my working clothes I walked a way I've walked hundreds of times before but on this evening it felt as if the way was suddenly much longer than before.

I stopped at a short distance. He had already sensed my presence, yet he didn't let me know that he knew I was there. 'What a stubborn mule.' I thought but then I knew that I hadn't been better.

"Hey." I waited a few seconds for any reaction but didn't received one. I approached him but as I stood next to him I refrained from touching him. I feared that I would startle him and I didn't wanted to get bumped away from him, since that could have grave consequences for the fragile body of a human.

I inhaled deeply as I made my way around him. I stopped directly at his front. It was not easy to look up to the windows. "I'm sorry. I know you had to do it. It was either you or him."
I lowered my gaze, watched how I laid my hands on his hood. "We should close his chapter of our existence and start a new one today."

I can't recall a moment where I had been more relieved to hear the running engine of a truck than in this very moment.


AN: Thank you, if you've read until this point.