Downfall Of The Living: An Anthology Series

The Hitchhiker and The Stranger: Chapter 3

III

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Kelly walked along the dirt road. The gravel under her feet felt familiar, as it kicked under her worn shoe. She looked around her environment, the dusty old highway she walked some time ago. As she continues walking, she hears Rico, the pervert highway driver, speak to her.

How long has it been? It didn't matter when your only focus was to survive. Why am I here again? Would it matter if all you ever did your whole life was walk one place to the next? Why would knowing if you've been somewhere again matter?

Hitchhiking with strangers, at least you have a ride. Only difference is, it's another old perverted man who was willing if you gave him company. Then, you take his money and other valuables when he ain't looking and ditch him at the next stop to where you need to go.

Sometimes, it doesn't go so smoothly. Someone gets hurt. Someone gets killed accidentally. Self-defense? Don't lie, you enjoyed beating the bastard in when no one was looking. The sight of blood on the pavement was satisfying to you.

Still persevering that innocence? Why was it different when you shot Cody? He was trying to help you, but you murdered him. You didn't hope you had to do what you had done, you wanted the situation to head south, just so you had an excuse to satisfy your bloodlust. But, what about old Rico?

Kelly snapped out of it. She wasn't on the highway anymore. It looked like a truck stop at night. Huge freight trucks lined up on the gravel, the truckers were resting up along the highway as cars drove by.

She heard a voice that she hadn't heard in a long time. It sounded like an older gentleman and Kelly herself arguing inside a sedan. She slowly approaches the car as the argument escalates.

Suddenly, a dark figure dashes by Kelly as it enters the gas station. The bell connected to the door violently rang as the door was slammed open. She tried to see who ran inside, but the store was empty.

BANG!

A muffled gunshot was heard in the sedan as a body was pushed out of the car. The blood spatter hit the back windows obscuring the view behind the driver as they backed up.

The car was speeding toward Kelly. Quickly, she ran into the gas station to avoid the car. As she busted through the door, the inside of the gas station changed. Her surroundings looked just like the garage of the house Kelly and Cody stayed the night in. Kelly looked around and saw herself aiming the gun at Kelly.

A cold look came upon Kelly's face as she aimed the pistol at her. She ducked just as soon as the other Kelly started to fire her pistol. As she ducked, she pulled out her pistol and readied to take on her other self.

Gun at the ready, she stands up in the firing position and is back on the highway.

"What the fuck?" Kelly was confused. "Wasn't I just-"

A murder of crows hovering above sent chills down her spine. They were circling her, but she was still alive. The crows alerted their presence to anyone in earshot, but it was only Kelly who was around. A couple dove down trying to attack Kelly, hunting her. She swiped them away, trying to be loud to scare them off.

As the murder of crows dove down to Kelly, she fell flat on the floor. The murder of crows dove down in unison straight towards, forming black spears in the air as they dived straight with high velocity. Kelly curls up into a ball and attempts to protect herself from the attacking crows.

Kelly felt the air blast past her as if the crows swept by her. Car tires screech loudly and metal forcefully collides with the pavement, hearing them as if she was very close to the collision. She held her position on the floor until the crashing stopped.