The Old Hitchhiker

    The hitchhiker in the back of Ralph's truck continued to press his ever-smiling fact against the window.

    "North" he'd told Ralph, nothing else, and as soon as he climbed into the truck bed, Ralph regretted his decision.

    He passed his own destination miles ago, but every time he looked in his mirror, that face continued to stare at him. Not blinking, always smiling. And Ralph kept driving north. When would this guy get off?

Eventually as Ralph continued down the highway, he found the courage to pull over and tell the man to get off. The man brought a pack with him, and Ralph didn't know what it contained. With a stare like that, though, the nervous chauffeur prepared for dangerous conflict. He stopped the vehicle on the side of the road, opened the door, and prepared to defend himself as best as he could.

    Unable to keep his composure, he blurted out "alright buddy, you need to get out right now!" as he passed the side of the truck, expecting the same sinister grin to meet him.

    Instead the man jolted up from his slumber, startled at the outburst. A kind face peered over, and apologized to Ralph. "I'm so sorry to have been a bother sir! I appreciate the lift this far, I'll find the rest of my way to Dorth and let you go, you've been so kind."

    Wait a minute. Dorth? That's where Ralph was in fact headed, and the town he'd passed miles ago. He assumed the man had a cold and was being short with him. And what about the kindly face? There was nothing sinister about this man's countenance.

    The man shuffled off the truck bed, and when his bag plopped down on the ground, his fishing pole swished to the side, from which dangled two bobbers and a white striped lure. Pressed against the glass, with the man's scraggly hair behind, they made a creepy face that always smiled and never blinked.

    Ralph realized his misunderstanding, and apologized to the hitchhiker. "You said Dorth didn't you?"

    "Well, yes, that's where I needs t'be a goin'. Again I thank you for taking me this far, I'll make the rest of the way on my own."

    "It was a misunderstanding on my part, please, we passed Dorth several miles back, if you climb back in, I'll take you there with some daylight left to spare."

    The man shrugged, thanked Ralph and climbed back in. Ralph started the vehicle, turned around, and began the journey back to Dorth. He looked in his mirror again, and the same creepy face formed from the fishing tackle. The sight still caused some discomfort, but Ralph was glad to have realized his mistake.

    They soon arrived back at Dorth, and Ralph found a spot to park and let the man off. As he pulled in, he glanced back just to reassure himself, and like he'd already confirmed, it was just tackle. Ralph shook his head, laughing to himself, then turned off the engine.

    The tired driver helped the kind man out from the back of the truck and gave him directions to lodging and a place to eat. The old man thanked Ralph and began walking on his way. Ralph gave one last glance at the man before driving to his own home, and the tackle still made that face. He sighed, laughing to himself at the ridiculous misunderstanding, and as he did, he swore the face blinked, then met his gaze directly, holding it until the man disappeared into the night.