Chapter 9
Blair’s father bought her a silver Audi as a graduation present, and you are going to do your best not to bust it up during this drive. You do not doubt that Blair will make good on her promise to make your life a living hell if anything happens to that car.
You slide into the driver’s seat and start up the engine.
Oh wow, this car has both a heated seat and a heated steering wheel.
All it needs is a toilet, and this car would be better than any place you have ever lived in your entire life.
It will be a shame to hand it back over to Blair at the end of the evening.
Maybe you should steal it. This car can be your new home. It’s a victimless crime—Blair’s father can just buy her another one.
No, you need to stop slobbering over this car. You’ve got a job to do.
You get on the road, driving in the direction of Peyton’s Peak.
You use GPS, recognizing that when you get closer to the estate, the GPS won’t work anymore.
You have a sheet of scribbled directions that you will use when the signal cuts out.
You’re especially worried that your phone likely won’t work at that point either. What if you get lost?
Once again, you wonder if you’re making a mistake taking this job. A remote mountain location? No GPS signal? A paycheck that is far more than any waitress job should rightfully pay? This is super sketchy. But you can’t change your mind anymore. You’re doing this.
While you’re still in the city, there are lots of cars around.
After all, it’s Saturday night, and everyone but you is out having a good time.
But after you get out of the city, the roads become less crowded, and the further you drive in the direction of the mountain, the more desolate it becomes.
At some point, you realize that 15 minutes have passed by and you haven’t seen any other cars.
That’s okay, though. You don’t mind being alone, and it’s actually nice to be on this quiet drive. It gives you time to think.
For example, you can think about your legal problems. Your empty bank account. Your complete lack of a love life.
Ugh, this sucks. What’s on the radio?
The rock songs distract you while you continue on the deserted road. After you’ve been driving for a little over an hour, you notice something on the side of the road. You’ve got your brights on, but it’s still very hard to see. It’s only when you get closer that you can make out what it is.
It’s a man. He’s standing all alone next to the road, his thumb stuck up in the air, a duffel bag by his side.
A hitchhiker.
The hitchhiker is dressed inappropriately for the weather in a light jacket—he must be freezing. How long has he been out there? There aren’t many cars going by, and if you don’t stop, he could be there for hours.
But what can you do? You can’t stop. You’re not on a road trip—you have to get to this dinner party so you can earn enough money to pay your rent.
And even if you didn’t have anywhere to go, it’s not a good idea to stop for a hitchhiker.
You’re a young woman, all alone in the middle of nowhere. It could be dangerous.
Plus, this hitchhiker looks a little sketchy. He’s got unkempt hair and a big bushy beard. There’s something a little wild about his expression.
Then again, this poor man has been standing out in the cold for God knows how long. How could you just drive by?
To stop for the hitchhiker, turn to Chapter 10 (page 24)
To keep driving, turn to Chapter 14 (page 34)