Hitchhiker: Part Two

He started to chat and I found myself answering some awkward questions, wishing he would just shut up again.

“Where are you heading?”

“Um, I’ve got a business meeting out of town.”

“Oh what line of business are you in?”

“I’m an electrical engineer. Why? What do you do?”

“I’m a writer.”

I snorted as I thought of all the wannabe writers I knew.

As we drove further away from the city the never-ending houses turned to countryside at last, but the questions continued.

He seemed very interested in the bomb threat, and surprisingly knew more about it than most people. I started to panic as it suddenly occurred to me that he could be a Journalist or something.

“why are you here then?” I demanded, but quickly realised that might have sounded suspicious.

“good question.” But he didn’t elaborate on this, and I started to feel apprehensive. If only I hadn’t picked him up in the first place. He was probably a nice guy but I wanted him out of the car. I had to get rid of him as soon as possible. My mind wandered as I desperately tried to think of what to do. I racked my brain for ideas - what would they do in a movie?

We both jumped, as my phone rang. I hadn’t expected this call so soon, and I definitely did not want anyone listening to this conversation, but I didn’t really have a choice. I pulled over and fumbled in my cluttered glove box for my phone.

“what do you want?” I asked sharply. “Can’t it wait?” the response I got was not what I wanted to hear. “Are you sure? Can you fix it? Okay. That’ll have to do.” I glanced sideways at John, but he was holding a piece of paper in his hands. My piece of paper. He studied it, looking puzzled. I stared at him in disbelief.

“Give me that” I snapped as I snatched it out of his hands. He looked confused.

“Sorry. It just landed on my lap. What did it say?” Encarta or something? What does that mean?”

“It’s just the password for my, uh, computer.” He didn’t look convinced.

“Hang on a minute. didn’t they say that on the radio earlier? You know, when they were talking about the bomb scare?” I stayed silent.

His eyes widened.

“does that mean…?”

I smiled in response.

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...