The Hitchhiker

Others Stories | Jan 21, 2012 | 6 min read
24 Votes, average: 4 out of 5
Others Stories

The Hitchhiker

Highway 167 was a dead stretch of road that night. Martin had not seen any headlights coming from the other direction for over fifteen miles, although he did not expect to see many vehicles traveling at one in the morning. He was glad of the fact though, considering he had too many beers at the party he attended earlier in the evening.  Martin was a "when in Rome" type of man, however. He felt he deserved to let loose a little because he had worked so hard to get his promotion as General Manger. Not a six digit a year salary job, but he was happy nonetheless. Martin checked his rearview mirror for the hundreth time during the drive home, hoping not to see any blue and red lights flashing behind him. Luckily, he was still all alone on the highway. Or so he thought.

Martin turned up the volume on his radio a little more, trying to break the silence. As he looked back toward the road, Martin noticed a man a few feet ahead on the side of the road carrying a sign that read : "Need ride, please". Before he could pass the man, Martin found himself turning on his emergency lights and pulling to the side of the highway. It wouldn't hurt to show a little kindness to a stranger, he thought, and maybe a little conversation will help keep me awake. The hitchhiker walked up to the passenger side door as Martin began to roll down the window.

" Would you be so kind sir as to give me a ride,sir?", the man asked.

" Where you headed to?", Martin replied.

" Just off the highway, sir. You can drop me off at the nearest store if you'd like."

"Sure, no problem. Hope on in."

The hitchhiker climed into the passenger seat.

"  Name's Henry. "

The hitchhiker held out his hand to Martin. Martin took it a little apprehensively.

"Nice to meet you, Henry. So.. you just wanted to be dropped off at the nearest place?"

Henry chuckled. " Yes sir. The nearest place where there is light and people. I tell ya, this dark highway ain't a place to be looking for a ride."

Martin shook his head in agreement. "Yes, I would think the same thing in your shoes. I haven't seen a car in a while."

Martin turned his emergency lights off, and they headed back onto the highway.

Martin gave a quick glance into the rearview mirror once more.

" Where you come from,Henry?'

" Where I come from is a long story, sir. Just trying to make it to Brakesburg to visit my sister. She is getting married this weekend."

"That is a long way to walk, Henry. You hitching all the way there?"

"That's the plan. I never have owned a vehicle. Figure my legs can carry me wherever I go. "

Martin chuckled. "If you say so, Henry. By the way, the name is Martin. Martin Holder. "

" Yes, I know your name."

Martin's heart skipped a beat. " How the hell did you know that?"

Henry pointed to Martin's shirt. "You have a nametag on, son."

Martin laughed, feeling a little relief. "Oh, I forgot about that."

Henry laughed as well. " Quite alright,sir."

They drove a few more miles in silence. Henry hummed along to the music playing on the radio. After a few more minutes had passed, Martin could see a gas station coming into view.

"Henry, this is close enough for you?"

Henry shook his head yes, still humming. Martin drove up to a fuel pump and put the car into park.

Henry held out his hand again. "Martin Holder, I thank you for your kindness."

Martin replied," Like I said, no problem. "

Before Henry exited the car, he turned back around to face Martin. Then he covered Martin's face with his hand. Martin tried to say something, but froze in awe. He didn't understand what was going on, and his heartbeat began to elevate. Martin swore he could feel a buzz coming from the palm of Henry's hand.  Suddenly, Henry removed his hand and exited the car. Martin glanced in his rearview mirror to check his face, scared of what he might find. Nothing. He rolled down his passenger window to ask the hitchhiker what that was all about, but Henry was gone from sight.

The next morning, Martin woke up with a pounding head. Had too many damn beers, he thought to himself. After he made himself a cup of coffee, he went in search for his cell phone to see if he had any messages. He could not find his phone. That damn hitchiker took my phone, Martin thought. He probably pocketed it when he was molesting my face with his large hand. Martin located his phonebook in search of his cell phone company's number to report it stolen. He switched on the television to watch the news as he did so. On the screen, a young, blonde reporter was standing in front of the gas station where Martin had dropped off Henry. Martin laid the phonebook down to watch.

" Early this morning around two a.m., a man robbed the Gas N' Go at gunpoint. Three civilians were killed as well as the attendant on duty. Police have confiscated the survelliance video for the time in question and have found the identity of the armed robber. Martin Holder, a local man and employee of the JMart here in town. Police have yet to specify if this man has been arrested."

Martin could not believe his eyes and ears. His picture showed up on the screen. His employee of the month photo from work.  I cannot believe this is happening, the thought to himself. I did not rob a store! Just then the video from the store played across his television screen. There he was, holding a gun to the attendant while the clerk put the money from the register into a bag. The screen switched back to the young reporter. Suddenly, Martin's home phone rang. Martin looked at the caller i.d. His cell phone number appeared on the screen. That sonofabitch was calling him!

"Who is this, Henry?!" Martin exclaimed as he picked up the receiver.

" While are you still home? Why aren't you turning yourself in?" the voice on the other end answered. Henry.

"Turn myself in? I didn't do it! "

"It's your face in that video, Martin Holder. Your car was spotted leaving that station at two. "

"But I dropped you off there, Henry!  I never left my car! How did you do..." Martin stopped in mid phrase. Did this have something to do with Henry putting his hand on his face?

"Face it, Martin. You're going to be arrested. I'm sorry to tell ya, sir, but you will be spending the rest of your life in prison.'

The phone trembling in his hand, Martin asked, " What did you do to me?"

"I used your face to rob that store. Turns out, I don't care too much for walking." Henry replied.

" Why didn't you just carjack me? I would rather have my car stolen than be accused of murder!"

Henry laughed. "Of course you wouldn't , but would you really have let me take your car? No. So I had to do what I had to do."

" But why?", Martin asked. "What are you, Henry?"

" I'm a taker, Martin. I take things from people. Not just cars or cell phones. I can take a person's identity,"

"Wh... why me? What did I do to deserve this, Henry?"

" You picked up a lonely hitchhiker." Henry terminated the call.

Martin frantically dialed his cell phone number. Only his voicemail replied. He left a message in hopes that Henry would listen to it.

"Henry, please. We can talk this over. You can keep the phone, and have my car. Just please take this back, please!"

Just then Martin heard the wails of police sirens approaching. Maybe I can explain to the police, he thought. Maybe they can find Henry. He tucked the phone into his pocket and awaited the police. Then he heard the police asking for him to step outside with his hands in the air. Maybe they'll listen, he thought. It's crazy, but maybe they'll listen. He opened his front door and stepped onto the front porch. The cops stood in position with their firearms pointing directly at him.

" Step forward Mr. Holder and place your hands behind your head." a policeman spoke.

As Martin raised his hands, he heard his phone ringing in his pocket. Henry!

He began to pull the phone out of his pocket, Then police began to fire.

Martin fell onto his porch, dead. His phone lay in the yard, flown out of his hand while he was shot. The phone never rang but that once.

In Brakesburg, Henry stood on the corner of Nobel street, thumb out and a large duffel bag over his shoulder, waiting for the next person to offer a ride to his next destination.

THE END

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Jun 26, 2012

Fantastic story sir, truly fantastic. It's a little raw, grammar's a little shaky, less then professional grade and tenses are mixed but truly a top notch horror story. If you run this story through Microsoft Word grammar checker, and it's not too late, y

Preeti Jan 27, 2012

Nice work... :)

Rimzhim Dang Jan 22, 2012

Good work

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