An Innocent Moon

Aaron

Aaron looked out into the darkness expanding on either side of the road. Illuminated by the moonlight he could see lines of scraggly trees off in the distance. A shudder ran through him. He was not used to this. The loneliness, the emptiness, the oppressing silence of the country at night. He looked back down into the engine of his truck, using his small cellphone flashlight to try to find what might have caused him to be stuck out here in the middle of nowhere. After a brisk sweep of the light, he shoved the phone back into his jeans' pocket. Running his hands through his hair, he walked towards the middle of the road, scanning for headlights. The blackness pressed down harder.

He turned and kicked the front wheel of his truck with a loud groan. This was not how his adventure was supposed to go. He was supposed to be free, happy, and moving towards something fulfilling in life. Instead, he was cold, tired, and stuck. He could hear his mother's voice nagging him that he should have had the engine checked before going on a road trip. He could see his father's eyes full of the disappointment that always lingered there.

He sighed, glad no one could see him like this, especially not his sister. Thinking of her strengthened his resolve. Glancing down the road one last time for headlights, he grabbed his bag out of the truck bed and turned to start walking towards the nearest patch of trees.

As soon as his foot left the asphalt, he heard the vroom of a jacked-up truck. Survival instincts attempted to kick in, but led in two different directions causing him to spin and trip, landing face down in front of his truck.

The truck screeched to a halt parallel with his own and the driver exited quickly, his boots hitting the asphalt with a thud. His stride was heavy and wide, crossing confidently to Aaron's truck.

Aaron pulled himself up on his grille and centered his body low as the stranger approached.

"Hey there! Got some car troubles?" the stranger called out; his voice pitched high.

Aaron forced his voice steady. "Yeah, old thing just gave out on me. Pretty sure it's the engine. I think I could fix it with the right tools, but I'm not sure."

The stranger chuckled. "Well, let's get you into town for the night at least. I see from your license plate that you're not from around here. There's bears and coyotes about these parts. They usually don't bother you unless you bother them, but still. It's cold out here, too."

The man had come close enough now that Aaron could see him in the dim moonlight. He had short-trimmed hair and a neat beard. Aaron could see he was slender, but wiry. His weathered face hid his age, but Aaron guessed from the man's tone and attitude that he was close to his father's age. Aaron inhaled deeply through his nose. Letting the air flow through to his lungs, he relaxed.

The man smiled expectantly at Aaron. Aaron nodded back in return.

"Thank you kindly, sir. My name is Aaron Melion. I appreciate your hospitality."

"Well, Aaron, I'm Roger. Hop in my truck. I'll call the sheriff's office on our way in and we'll get the tow truck first thing. My cousin owns a motel in town that I'll drop you off at," Roger said.

Aaron reached down to grab his bag and followed Roger back to his truck.

They drove in silence for a few minutes before Roger spoke again.

"You know, it's funny. When I first went up to you, I almost felt like I was trying to talk a feral dog down. Something about you just seemed a little wild." Roger laughed.

Aaron turned up the corner of his lips. "Huh, you don't say."