The first road sign west of Assumption on Route 101 says Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers. It’s sound advice.
I turn up the stereo, step on the gas. The Chevelle growls her way down the lonely highway.
Ten minutes later I’m on the side of the road, hood up, steam hissing from the radiator. I look around, squinting into the scorching sun. No house or car in sight, just a billboard advertising a family-owned apple orchard a mile or so south of here.
I decide to walk back to Assumption in search of water for the radiator. Vehicles speed past me. My t-shirt is soaked through. Another sign tells me Hitchhikers May Be Escaping Inmates. They should have said that in the first place.
Nobody will stop to help.
It takes three hours to get to town, where the curtains are drawn so tightly that the place seems deserted. I can’t find any water, so I snag a beat-up plastic bucket from a dumpster behind an abandoned gas station and head back to the car.
Along the way, off in the distance, sirens wail. I see the water tower at the prison and try not to think too much about anything.
Across the road from the Chevelle there are woods and a ravine, and at the bottom of the ravine is a stream. I go down and take a long drink, splash my face, and fill the bucket with water. I look up toward the road. The sun rips through the tree branches. I stand there for a moment wondering what to do if the car doesn’t start. I think about that apple orchard, the one on the billboard, and how I could go south and just keep walking, maybe get a day’s head start on the dogs. Mother on the billboard looked like a Granny Smith, crunchy and tart, but the daughter, oh, the daughter, I’m sure she’ll be more like a Golden Delicious, crisp and sweet, whose flesh stays white after slicing.
Whoa! That was a surprising turn! Good story.
Thank you so much, Ephra!
Shiver…what a delicious ending… pun intended.
I love that the MC is trying not to think about anything…a lovely twist in the tale…
Your feedback is much appreciated, Lizarose!
Cool, a serious twist ending. From mundane to horrific at a fast clip — even if that car ain’t going anywhere.
It’s a shame too, because the Chevelle has a 454 in it. Thanks for reading!
Really loved this story. So packed but with a crisp! Really liked ‘sun ripped’ and the framing device of the apple orchard.
Stella, thank you for the kind comment. Much appreciated!
Wow. IMHO, best story yet here. Love the signage clues that just float by, the oddity of the abandoned town, then—“dogs”! Masterfully handled all around. Thanks!
Karen, thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate what you said about this being the best story here yet. That means a lot to me!
I loved this. The dogs were my first surprise but I didn’t quite get the ending till my second reading (duh). I read it a third time searching for all the clues you left for readers. This story entertained me every time I read it.
Wonderful work.
Rita thank you for your close reading. I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Well done!
Thank you so much, Jean!
Absolutely excellent
Michelle, I really appreciate your kind words. Thank you!
Nice, Todd. You threw a hairpin curve at me. Way to go.
Thanks for reading, Rudy!
Dang, you got me with that twist! Definitely chilling.
Thank you for reading, Kelsey!
Very well written piece. I did not see that final twist coming.
Thank you for your kind remarks, Hair On Fire!
WELL DONE!!! Good twist at the end – you got me!
Thanks for reading, F.M.!
The last words had my heart in my mouth. Kudos for a great story.
Sue, thank you so much for your feedback. It’s much appreciated. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
Oh my goodnessssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is so amazing. I was riveted thinking of this poor guy out on the road alone. And the humor was perfectly placed. Totally disarming me. Bravo!!
Thank you so much for reading my story, Violet. Your kind remarks mean a lot to me!
Nice tease! It leaves me wanting for more.