Ghost

The Truck

Emily's POV:

It was a beautiful Saturday morning when Jake and I set out for our usual ride. The sun was shining, the roads were clear, and we were both in high spirits. We planned to hit up a new route we'd heard about-a scenic drive that promised amazing views and a bit of adventure.

Everything seemed perfect until Jake's mood shifted slightly. As we cruised along, he glanced in the rearview mirror, his brow furrowing.

"Hey, Em," he said, his voice slightly tense, "I need to mention something."

I looked over, noticing the change in his demeanor. "What's up?"

"There's been this truck following us," he said, trying to sound casual but not quite succeeding. "I've seen it a few times now, and it's starting to get a little weird."

I frowned, glancing around as we rode. "A truck? What's so odd about that?"

Jake shrugged, though I could tell he was trying to downplay his concern. "It's not just the truck itself. It's been showing up on some of our routes, like it's intentionally following us. And it's been driving a bit too close for comfort."

My stomach twisted with unease. "Are you sure it's the same truck? Maybe it's just a coincidence."

Jake nodded, his grip on the handlebars tightening slightly. "Yeah, I'm sure. It's got a big dent on the side and a faded paint job. I've seen it a few times now, always at a distance, but it's getting more frequent."

We continued riding, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Every time I glanced in the mirror, I half-expected to see that truck lurking behind us. The roads were open and empty, which made the possibility of being followed even more unsettling.

As we took a break at a small roadside café, I watched Jake scan the area, his expression guarded. He seemed more on edge than usual, and it was affecting me too. I tried to stay calm, but the thought of someone-or something-watching us from the shadows was disconcerting.

"So, what do you think we should do?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Jake looked at me, his eyes serious. "For now, let's just be aware. If it gets worse, we might need to do something more. Maybe change up our routes or, if it really gets bad, involve the authorities."

I nodded, trying to push away the creeping worry. "Alright. I trust you. Just keep me in the loop, okay?"

He gave me a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Definitely. I don't want you to be worried. We'll handle it."

We finished our break and headed back out on the road. The truck didn't appear during our ride back, but the unease lingered. Jake's usual carefree demeanor was replaced with a focused vigilance, and I could tell he was more concerned than he let on.

As we rode side by side, I could see the tension in his posture, and it made my heart ache. I wanted to believe that it was just a coincidence, but the fact that Jake was so worried made me anxious too. We were supposed to be enjoying our time together, not looking over our shoulders.

When we finally arrived back at the park, Jake gave me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "We'll be okay. Let's just keep an eye out and stay smart."

I smiled, though it was tinged with worry. "Okay. I'm with you."

As we parted ways for the evening, the sight of that mysterious truck kept replaying in my mind. It was like a dark cloud hanging over what should have been a perfect day. I knew Jake would keep me safe, but the feeling of being watched made everything seem a little less secure.

I couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to change, and not for the better. The road ahead seemed a bit darker now, and I hoped that whatever was trailing us would stay out of our way.