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 Hitchhiking Is Dangerous  (38 ratings)by Michael J. Irwin Page 1 of 2 "Hitchiking," Tom said, "Is as dangerous as picking up hitchhikers." And it made sense, he thought. Indeed it did make sense. Murderers and thieves are just as likely to prey on the hospitality of man as they are to prey on a man in his time of distress. Exactly, he thought, agreeing with himself as he stared blankly down the deserted highway. It was nearing dusk and not a single car had even so much passed him on the old road, which wasn’t so unusual after they built that superhighway off of 76, cursed government. He leaned his back against the side of his car, brand new car that had broken down on him without so much as a "service engine soon" light. He scoffed at no one in particular. He really didn’t want to hitch a ride with anyone, you never knew what manic would be traveling along a deserted road at this time of the evening looking for someone to rob, or worse, but he had no choice. Never one for a cell phone was he, never one for modern technology. He scoffed at himself this time. He shivered in the cooling evening breeze wondering what he would do if no one came, or if anyone came but didn’t pick him up. The vivid orange sky was a constant sign that night was falling, and fast behind the tips of the surrounding woodland. He suddenly found himself scoffing at Pennsylvania. Rotten, bloody trees, he thought. Just as his hopes were fading for the worst, a small glimmer appeared off in the horizon. A speckle of hope, or maybe fear trickled down his spine as he watched, wide eyed, as it took the form of a car. A speckle of fear. He had no idea who was in that car, for all he knew it could be some psycho looking for some easy prey on the side of a deserted highway, and that was exactly what Tom was right now. As the car drew closer Tom felt his hand quivering as it rose to the position he’d once scoffed at itself. Fist closed, arm raised, and thumb up. His eyes wanted to close, fearing what he’d see, fearing whom he would see. Just as the car, an old pick-up was only feet away he suddenly got an urge to run, hide. Hitchhiking is just as dangerous as picking up hitchhikers, that’s what his mother had always told him. His eyes snapped shut as he felt a heavy gust of wind push up on him as the truck passed. After he was sure it was out of sight he slowly opened his eyes. Squinting he noticed his arm was still out and quickly stuck it down. The sudden despair returned, that could be the only car to pass him before night time, and when it was dark who knows what types of people would be coming down this road, at least in the light he had a fighting chance. Better wait, take the next chance. For what felt like an hour he waited, watching the dusk settle on the deserted road, and just as his fear began to grow into a monstrous dread, another speck appeared on the horizon. Quickly he stuck his thumb into the air, standing tall, proud. No psycho would pick up and man who look like he could overpower anyone. Such a skinny figure, no one would believe he was tough. Now he saw it, the car, definitely a car, and a new one at that. He kept his hand up and his eyes opened as the car slowed down and pulled a bit closer to him. What kind of killer drove a car like this, he thought eyeing the brand new Lexus. One who stole it. "Need a ride buddy?" Tom slipped into the passenger’s seat, going against every possible instinct he had. What was all the camping gear for, he thought eyeing the pile of bags and coolers in the backseat. "Yea." "Where ya going?" Away from you, you sicko! Now, now, he’s probably just some businessman on the way home from a weekend of camping or, or... Or some madman on the run from the law. Crazy thoughts, but no crazier then half the people in the world now-a-days. "Brinesville." Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001 Michael J. Irwin, sffworld.com. All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the author. The author has submitted the work in accordance with and in agreement with the following Submission Guidelines. |
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