The hazard lights blinked yellow against the dry ditch grass.

I took my right hand off the steering wheel.

The joints in my fingers throbbed with a dull, heavy ache.

I pressed my left thumb deep into the center of my right palm.

I rubbed the cramped muscles until the sharp pain finally faded to a dull burn, then worked my thumb down to the base of my wrist.

I looked at the glowing green numbers on the dashboard clock.

It was almost eight at night.