A Lift

My old truck rode noisily along the dark and gloomy forest lane, being alone in this deathly road was something that could easily freak me out, the road was lonely. Too lonely. And it didn't help matters when I couldn't stop thinking of the worst possible scenarios, a witch suddenly appearing in the middle of the road, a pretty young, fine and sexy looking girl asking for a lift who would eventually turn out to be evil and kill me, when you watch movies a lot, you know that you're not supposed to pull over but then did that ever help? She would still get to you, maybe in your bathroom at home. I shivered at the awful thoughts and gripped the steering wheel tighter with both hands.

I had left Lakeshire late in the afternoon because I wanted to get home to my wife when I knew that she would have gotten home, maybe I should have gone earlier so she would meet me at home, making dinner, I wanted to surprise her as I had been away for almost a month. Guess I didn't think it through. I continued my drive, still thinking of worst possible scenarios, the menacing shape of the dark trees fed my imagination, standing tall and wide across the length of the dark road, I kept thinking, what if my car suddenly stops here? And like a jinx, my car did stop.

It wobbled and coughed as I eased it slowly to the side of the road, over the yellow line marking, I cursed and banged my fist to the steering wheel, the last thing I wanted to be was stuck in the middle of nowhere with these thoughts. I got out and kicked the tires, now all I had to do was to wait for a good person to help me out of here. I stuck out my hand, waving to every vehicle that passed but I guess the same fear I had was in them, they didn't want to give a lift to someone who might end up being a ghost. The night was cold and I contemplated sitting in the car for a while, at least it was warmer inside but I saw headlights of a car from a distance and I decided to give it one last try, I really didn't want to spend the night here.

Stuck.

Alone.

Vulnerable.

I waved a hand and to my relief the car stopped and a middle aged man looked at me from the rolled down windows, I bent and gave him my warmest smile.

"Sorry to bother you, but could you give me a lift? My truck broke down."

"Err...sure, get in, where are you headed?"

"Thank you, thank you!" I hopped in and strapping the seat belt on, I told him where I was going. He drove.

"Ai, I'm not going all the way out, that's pretty far and it's pretty late, say you spend the night at my place then be on your way at the break of dawn?"

"Ohh, that's so kind of you, but I wouldn't want to be a bother."

"Ha! Nonsense. I'm a pretty lonely man, asides my Butler, the house is empty. Don't worry, you want be a bother, it's just for the night." He smiled his warmest smile too, he was pretty nice and despite the banging voices in my head warning of ghosts and vampires and witches and death, I agreed to him.

"Good lad, I'll make you a hot dinner when were home."

The drive wasn't really that long, we reached the house in less than an hour, this was a mansion and to think only two people lived in here, he must be terribly lonely. We were greeted at the front door by his Butler who introduced himself simply as Rex. Sounds like a dog's name to me, I thought. I smiled at Rex, following behind as he led me to the dinner table, food was already set but he had to get an extra plate for me.

"We don't have any one visit here." The old man explained. I nodded and delved into the meal. Afterwards I was shown to the room I would be sleeping in for the night, it was much warmer than any part of the house I had been in, which was just the dining room, living room and kitchen, I thanked Rex and the hospitable man and retired to bed.

*

I was woken up by a loud banging on the door, it was Rex and he was screaming at me to open up, I sat on the bed, paralyzed in fear, no I wouldn't open. He continued banging and pleading for me to open.

"What are you doing?! Leave him be!" That was the old man, I rushed to the door and flung it open, the butler had already gone and the man was just standing there.

"I'm dreadfully sorry about that, I should have told you earlier, but I was afraid you wouldn't want to come."

I shook a little now. "Tell me what?"

"You see, Rex isn't a.... Human. He died a year ago but still appears once in a while, he isn't a threat to me though, but I'm sure he wouldn't hurt you....hmm..." The man was unsure.

My heart began to race but I gave him a fake, calm smile and closed the door, going back to the bed, I heard his footsteps recceed and I immediately began planning my escape. What in the world..?! I knew I should have trusted my gut instincts!

I waited two hours before I opened the door quietly, looking around for any sign of them before stepping out, I didn't make it to the stairs before Rex called me from behind. I froze, the ghost had caught up with me, well goodbye world. I turned round. Rex walked up to me and grabbed me by the hand and dragged me into the kitchen, then in a low voice he spoke,

"You shouldn't have come here."

"And why is that? You're going to kill me because you're dead." I was going to die so I got rid of the fear, do it quickly.

"No, I'm not the one who's dead. He is, he died a year ago but still appears once in a while, he isn't a threat to me though, but I'm sure he would hurt you."