“Let me drive us out of this town and then I’ll let you drive.” said Melissa.

“Okay.” said Billy.

Melissa got in the driver’s seat of the van, Billy got in the passenger seat, David got in the rear left seat, and Megan in the rear-right. Because of David’s long legs, Melissa scooted the seat a couple of inches forward. She turned on the headlights for the first time that day as the sun sank below the horizon. Billy took a bit more video of the shadowy buildings in the fading light before putting all of his equipment in the glove box – his cameras, laptop, and cell phone.

About 10 minutes later, they got to the edge of town, and Melissa stopped the van, got into the passenger’s seat, and Billy got in the driver’s seat.

“I’d rather be a little farther from this airbag.” said Billy, pulling out. His sternum was about 11 inches from the wheel.

“It won’t hurt you. The closer you are to it, the less force it will go off with.” said Melissa.

As the explorers drove out of town, Billy said “There’s so much I want to take out of this town. Nature’s taking over quickly. Never thought I’d see so much out and out structural collapse after less than 35 years of decay. We watch reruns of ‘80s shows, and older, on TV. We listen to ‘80s music, and older, every day on the radio. And a house built in the ‘80s isn’t old, and a person born when Izzy was abandoned isn’t even old enough to be president. What really gets me is that you were an adult in Izzy living on your own and now you’re still young enough to be adopting a kid, yet the town looks so wretched.”

“Builder grade, ‘60s and ‘70s junk.” said David.

“Speaking of which, what’s the details on your adoption, if you don’t mind me asking?” asked Billy.

“It’s a boy whose parents died in a car crash on April 22^nd. They weren’t wearing their seat belts. I’m bringing him home on Thursday, his 2^nd birthday.” said Melissa.

“That’s so sweet of you.” said Megan.

“That warms my heart so much, but that’s a 54-year difference between you and that kid… normally I’d be against that, but you’re in perfect health, have a heart of gold, have a Top Safety Pick rated vehicle… yeah, I think you’re going to be around 50 more years.” said Billy.

“I’d love to live to be 200.” said Melissa.

“I’m sure everyone would, except Dirk.” said Billy.

“The idea of adopting after your kids grew up was relatively popular in Izzy. Life expectancies started going way up, so the idea of someone being 45, 50 years older than their kid became more reasonable. Some friends of my parents adopted a 6 year old when they were about 50, this would have been in 1980 and they’re still living. It was called double-decker parenting. They used, and still use, the 80/40 test; you have to have an 80 percent chance of living till the child is 40.” said Melissa.

The explorers continued down the highway. The conversation turned to Megan asking “what would you do if you woke up in 1986 in Izzy?”

“Hmmm… I guess I’d go to the video arcade down the street from my house and play some I’m Sorry.” said David.

“Oh, that Japanese video game that made fun of the Japanese prime minister… Takata or something like that?” asked Billy.

“Not sure, I just know they had a machine.” said David.

“I’d go to one of those house parties that seemed to be so popular.” said Megan.

“I’d love to get the chance to drive supercars all day again. That was a lot of fun.” said Melissa.

Billy saw a pair of headlights coming straight toward the van. He cranked the wheel hard to the right and slammed on the brakes.

BOOM!

The mysterious car hit the front left corner of the van, ripping into the front end, crushing the suspension and dislodging the engine, before the high-strength steel in the door sills stopped the car in its tracks before it could intrude into the cabin. The airbag that Billy had feared deployed, hitting him in the chest and face; all eight of the van’s airbags would deploy as it came to a crushing stop, spinning violently to the side. Although he was wearing his seat belt, Billy was sent flying like a rag doll, his 200 pound weight causing his upper body to sink deeply into the steering wheel airbag and his legs to sink deeply into the knee airbag in kind. Melissa’s body did the same thing with the passenger front and knee airbags, and David and Megan moved well forward in the crash, nearly hitting the front seats. As the now-totaled van came back onto its wheels, it made a sickening sound, every body panel shaking. As the van came to a stop, its interior lights activated.

“Is everybody okay?” asked Melissa.

“I think so. I have a big cut on my chest from the seat belt.” said David.

“I’m fine, just very shaken up.” said Megan.

“I can tell you one thing, if it were 1986 I would be dead right now. That was intense.” said Billy, struggling to catch his breath amid all the airbag powder. He sat, stunned but unharmed. He looked to the left, finding a large, white wall of air; the van’s side curtain airbag, which was still firmly inflated. He tried to lift it up, but it wouldn’t budge.

Melissa called 911. “We’re on the Izzy Expressway, about 25 miles from Kallal, in a wrecked 2018 Honda Odyssey. A car just hit us head on and – OH MY GOSH, IT’S ON FIRE! I GOTTA GO!”

The car that hit them was on fire.

Melissa slid her hand behind her side curtain airbag to reach her door handle, opened it, and slid on her back underneath the airbag before running over to the car; out of habit, she re-closed the door. Billy pushed the front passenger airbag out of the way and opened the glove box, grabbing his cell phone, before reaching under the curtain airbag himself. Feeling around for 15 to 20 seconds, he finally located the door handle and opened it, pushing the door open with his legs as he slid on his back under the side curtain airbag.

“Who does this car think I am? McKayla Maroney?” asked Billy.

Billy emerged to find Melissa pulling frantically on a man who was trapped in a Pontiac Firebird, flames coming from the mangled engine compartment just a few feet away. The steering wheel and dashboard had been pushed to within a few inches of his chest, and the door opening had shrunk by more than a foot. The man was whimpering “Help, help, I don’t want to die.”

“Dirk?” asked Billy, running over to the car to help Melissa, as David and Megan opened their doors and crawled out.

Just as Billy made it to Melissa’s side, she mustered one big burst of strength, dragging Dirk through the broken window and out of the car. She heard a crack – she hoped she hadn’t broken a bone as she dragged Dirk across the pavement and away from the car. Billy tried to grab Dirk to help, but Melissa was moving too fast. Dirk screamed the whole way, a howl that didn’t seem to be humanly possible.

“Melissa, Melissa… you saved my life.” said Dirk.

“One of you get my first aid kit. It’s in the very back of the van.” said Melissa.

David grabbed the kit and rushed it to Melissa, as Billy and Melissa stayed by Dirk’s side. Billy used the bottom of his shirt as a makeshift tourniquet to stop a severe bleed from Dirk’s leg, before Melissa wrapped it in gauze. Once Dirk was out of danger and stabilized, Melissa called her husband and daughter to pick up herself, Billy, Megan, and David. She told her husband to bring a shirt for Billy and to cut the tag out. Billy brought the first aid kit over to David, cleaning and dressing the cut on his upper chest.

“Are you mad at me?” asked Dirk.

“I’m not mad at you at all. Just worry about getting better.” said Melissa. Away from the fire, Melissa and Billy could smell the alcohol on Dirk’s breath. They didn’t say anything.

“Thank goodness he was wearing a seat belt.” said Melissa, to the rest of the explorers.

After about 20 minutes, the ambulance’s sirens were audible. Billy grabbed his camera and equipment from the glove box and filmed the ambulance as it approached. The ambulance stopped, and three burly EMTs got out and loaded Dirk into the ambulance. One of the EMT’s asked if anyone else needed ambulance transport, but everyone refused. The ambulance then headed back toward Kallal.

Billy filmed the scene. The Firebird was now fully engulfed in flames. “This is the Firebird that hit us head on. It was driven by Dirk, who I suspect was driving drunk. As you can see, totally dark, not another car in sight. It’s 8:41 pm on September 27, 2020. And here’s the van that saved everyone’s lives. Word to the wise, buy a Top Safety Pick. Just… wow. I can’t believe I walked away from this unhurt. That front end is demolished.”

Within a few minutes, Roger, in the 2020 Accord, and Melissa’s daughter Mikayla, in her own 2018 Accord, arrived at the scene. While Melissa and David went with Roger, Megan and Billy went with Mikayla. Billy took the shirt, which said “Kappa Xi Delta Burgerfest 1985” and put it on, then grabbed his Halcyon and various artifacts from the rear cargo area of the van and put them in Mikayla’s car. Melissa introduced all three of the explorers to Mikayla.

Before Roger, Melissa, and David left, Billy walked up to Melissa, tentatively, with his arms in a hugging position. Billy and Melissa hugged goodbye. “Thank you for the trip, and I’ll see you at Part 2.” he said. Roger left with Melissa and David as Billy walked back toward the van.

“Thank you for taking such good care of me in that crash.” said Billy, hugging the front door of the van.

“What are you doing?” asked Mikayla.

“Your mom’s van just saved my life.” said Billy. Mikayla came over to look at the totaled van for a minute, while Megan sat in the back seat of her car, before both went back to the car.

Inside the car, after initially letting Mikayla know that Dirk was alive and conscious, Billy still couldn’t stop talking about the crash. “I thought I was going to die. When I saw the lights, I was doing 87 miles per hour.”

“One more and you would have been able to time travel.” said Mikayla.

“Haha, I don’t think a 2018 Odyssey has a flux capacitor. That was only on DeLoreans. Anyway, I had to have been doing 70 when I hit. Those airbags all blew up around me and felt like pillows. Didn’t hurt at all. Felt like a bouncy castle.” said Billy.

“Yeah, a $50,000, one use bouncy castle.” said Mikayla.

“That smells like burning rubber and chemical.” said Billy.

“I’m glad I got a glimpse of the ‘80s, but I’m glad our car safety standards are a lot better now. I hope Dirk survives.” said Billy.

“Me too. Looks like his car was just big enough and safe enough to keep him alive. It’s a miracle.” said Mikayla.

“And the seat belt. I bet if none of us were wearing our seat belts, all 5 of us would have died.” said Billy.

“Well, one good thing out of today is that I got to meet you. You’re just like your mom, kind and fun to be around.” said Billy.

“I agree.” said Megan.

“You know, I’ve always wanted to go to Izzy myself. My mom’s told me about it since I was a little kid. She said when I was an adult she’d take me, but we never got around to it.” said Mikayla.

“Why didn’t you go on this trip?” asked Megan.

“I figured there was limited room, and I’ll go when it’s my time.” said Mikayla.

“Well, we’re out one person, and personally, I would love it if your whole family came.” said Billy.

“I’ll let Mom know. Dad could probably drive as well.” said Mikayla.

“David has a big SUV, and he’s born in ‘81. I could run the idea by him as well. By the way, when were you born? I can tell you what day of the week it was.” said Billy.

“April 1, 1996, in New York City. It was a Monday.” said Mikayla.

“No… you are not younger than me. I’m December 24, 1995, it was a Sunday, at a now abandoned hospital in Wheatley.” said Billy.

Mikayla finally arrived back at the hotel parking lot; Billy and Megan each got in their cars and drove home.

“How was your trip?” asked Billy’s dad.

“Pretty good, saw a lot of things.” said Billy.

“Like what?” asked the dad.

“I’ve just been in a major car crash. I want to go to bed.” said Billy.

“What? A major car crash? What happened?” asked the dad.

“Remember when I was terrified of airbags as a little kid?” asked Billy.

“Yes.” said the dad.

“Well let’s just say, I’m alive because of the driver’s airbag in Melissa’s 2018 Honda Odyssey. We were on the interstate and that mean guy I told you about last night was driving drunk on the freeway and hit us head on. Melissa was letting me drive her van.” said Billy.

“I’m glad you’re okay. Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital? I wouldn’t recommend sleeping after a traumatic event.” asked the dad.

“I feel fine.” said Billy.

The next day, Billy got a notification on his Helmstagram account from the original group of explorers. All of the explorers, including Dirk, were in the group, but Roger, Mikayla, and Melissa’s son Kyle had been added. By the end of the day, everyone but Dirk had agreed on an October 24^th date, to give Dirk time to recover.

Billy called up Melissa that evening. “Why are you inviting Dirk back?” he asked.

“I figured I’d give him a second chance. He took a pretty serious hit in that crash.” said Melissa.

“Do you realize he could have killed us all? If you have a failing, you’re a pushover.” asked Billy.

“I have Roger there to keep an eye on him the whole time.” said Melissa.

“Don’t you want to not be constantly criticized? ‘Melissa’s old!’ ‘Melissa hurt my arms!’ You saved that man’s life and he just complained. Please, let him go!” said Billy.

“I’ll have to monitor how he acts over the next few weeks, but my husband’s going to watch him like a hawk. Any problems, he’s yanked.” said Melissa.

“Sounds good. I just realized something. If it hadn’t been for the 1983 renovation of your sorority house, we might all be dead right now. They used top quality materials and renovated the house top to bottom just a few years before the volcano. That meant that the house still had enough strength to hold on when Dirk damaged it.” said Billy.

“The van, too. I reviewed every aspect of the crash test results before I bought it. It looked perfect. I’m so glad it protected you so well.” said Melissa.

“I still smell like airbag.” said Billy.

“We’re going to see Dirk in the hospital tomorrow at 6 pm if you want to come. I can pick you up. I just got my new silver 2021 Odyssey Elite this morning.” said Melissa.

“Let’s do it.” said Billy.

Melissa, Billy, David, and Megan arrived in Melissa’s van, while Roger, Mikayla, and Drew, Mikayla’s brother, arrived in Roger’s Accord. David sported a couple of bandages on his neck.

Dirk lay on a hospital bed, his upper body inclined at about a 20 degree angle, both of his legs in casts, a machine monitoring his vital signs.

“How are you doing, Dirk?” asked Melissa.

“I’m in more pain than I’ve ever been in my life.” said Dirk.

“I hope you get to feeling better as soon as possible.” said Melissa.

“You’re not mad at me? After I almost killed us all? I’m a screw-up!” asked Dirk.

Melissa walked to the head of the bed, standing at Dirk’s left side. Billy followed, standing at his right. “You made a mistake. No one got killed over it, just a couple of cars totaled. None of us had any worse than minor injuries. Learn from your mistake, but don’t think that you’re a screw-up over it.” said Melissa.

“I always kind of wondered what it would be like to experience how safe today’s cars are. Glad you’re alive. Hope you make a 100% recovery.” said Billy.

“We’re all just glad that everyone is alive and okay.” said Mikayla.

“I have the best mom in the world. Dirk, I’m glad you had her there for you.” said Drew.

“Me and Melissa and some of the explorers have been talking, and we’ve decided that we’re going to allow you to go on our Izzy trip planned for October 24 if you’re feeling well enough. If you’re not, we’ll make another visit next spring. But I’m going to keep my eye on you like a hawk. One snarky comment, one mistake, you’re out.” said Roger.

After a few more minutes of talking, a nurse came in to the room, and the rest cleared out.

“Can I ask you something in private, Melissa?” asked Billy.

“Absolutely.” said Melissa.

“Do they know that Dirk was drunk when he hit us head on?” asked Billy.

“They took a blood test, but his blood alcohol fell below intoxicated levels. 0.074 at the time of the crash, I think.” said Melissa.

“And why was he going toward Izzy at that hour?” asked Billy.

“He said he was a ghost hunter. I guess he might have been going back for that.” said Melissa.

“I think something fishy is up with Dirk’s story.” said Billy.