The Hitch-Hiker - By Hope

The Hitch-Hiker

I am stranded, on the side of the road sitting in the thick dry grass. I have given up walking, I must have walked at least 5 miles by now. How could I have been so insanely stupid. The harsh summer sun glared down on me as I thought back on the long day I have had. Right back to the beginning. I was driving along the endless road in my brand new green VW Kombi. All windows open with the warm summer breeze whispering past my ears. The colourful buttercups and daisies danced in the golden strands of dry grass at the side of the road. I cruised along admiring the beautiful countryside. That was the moment when his soft, amber eyes met mine. An average sized man, with a sky blue, tie dye pocket top and 3/4 length jean shorts, he wore shabby black sandals on his feet. His unkempt hair, as black as coal scarcely covered his bushy eyebrows. He was perfectly normal, ‘I don't usually pick up hitchhikers’ I thought. ‘Besides, he looked like a student to me; he would probably get picked up by another student.’ By that point I had made up my mind, I didn’t need to stop. He didn't need me, but as I crept closer, hiding in the towering grass beside him lay a dog. A petty, cowering, white terrier stood up suddenly as my car inched closer, it barely came up to this man’s knee, It was the most adorable thing I had ever seen. I have always had a liking for dogs, I have two of my own in fact, and this one just found a special place in my heart, I had to stop. Not for the man but for the dog, I gently pressed my foot on the brake and came to a halt next to him. I swung open the door and gestured for him to get in, he didn't speak he just pointed at the dog. I didn't know what he meant so I just nodded and smile. Apparently that was what he was waiting for. He swung himself into the van and we headed off. He didn't say much, in fact he didn't say a single word. He stared at the road ahead like he was in his own little world. The dog was curled up by his feet sleeping so it pretty much felt like I was alone again. Hours went by. But the van stayed silent the only sound was the faint buzzing of the engine. I was regretting picking him up in the first place, something just didn’t seem right about him. he was very suspicious. The noise of nothing drowned me into a state of boredom and we continued on down the road... BEEP, BEEP, BEEP an ear piercing noise interrupted the silence. It was the fuel light going. I needed to fill up.