Hitchhiker: Part One

The car door slammed shut. Crossing my arms, I bowed my head against the wind and headed towards the lights. It was a lot warmer inside the petrol station, so I spent several minutes wondering around, enjoying the warmth. Glancing down at my watch I decided it was time to go.

I grabbed a coke and some gum and headed to the checkout. As the cashier scanned my items I checked out the headlines of the newspapers.

“Terrible, isn’t it,” commented the cashier. I looked up to see him watching me. “We’ve really hit rock bottom haven‘t we”

“excuse me?”

“The bomb threat. Haven’t you heard?

“Of course I have,” I replied sourly. “who hasn’t?” The boy mistook my attitude as interest and continued the conversation.

“Apparently they are evacuating everyone near the city. It’s supposed to go off in the morning. I cant believe it. Nothing like this has ever happened here before!” The guy seemed excited by it all . I chose not to say anything. I payed my $4.35 and walked back outside into the cold.

“Have a good evening,” I heard him call as the door closed. I shook my head. What did he know.
I walked around the corner towards my car and almost collided with someone.

“sorry,” I muttered, keeping my eyes down.

“It’s fine,” he replied. “Actually, would I be able to hitch a lift?”

“Uh I…,”

“Just wherever you’re going is good” He persisted. I sighed

“Fine” I opened the door and climbed it. The stranger hesitated, then sat down in the passenger seat.

For a few minutes we drove down the highway in silence. Every so often I heard him take a deep breath, as if he were about to speak, but he never did. Finally I decided to break the ice.

“What’s your name?” I asked

“huh? Oh um, uh John.” he replied vaguely

“John?” I asked apprehensively.

“Yeah. John. What’s yours?”

“Peter”

“Oh.” Another few minutes of awkward silence passed. He seemed very distracted by something but I wasn’t too bothered about it. It gave me time to think.

“Do you mind if I turn the radio on?” he interrupted my thoughts. I grunted in reply.
‘…Police are concerned because it may be a link to the Encanza group. We will keep you informed about the bomb threat.’

“Did they say Encanza? Actually if its only the news I’d rather turn it off,” he mumbled, looking pale

“Suit yourself.”

Continued...