Psychosis

Chapter Two

California Vehicle Code 21957: "No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any vehicle."
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Arizona has weird smelling air, it's more different then California. Maybe it's just weird to me because I grew up in California. Am I bias for thinking that? I'm shaken out of thought hearing Brent's voice.

"Mrs. Christina Millie, there is only 6 hours left..." He smiled looking over at me
"Great, we are making good time Mr. Brent Anderson" I bit my lip looking over at him and bounced my knee anxious.

Brent sighed "I know that look..."

"I'm sorry I'm sorry!" Laughing I sit up in my seat.

"Why didn't you eat before we left the campus." Brent said tapping the wheel with his fingers

"Come on I know your hungry too! Just pull off at the next exit and..." My hand rest on his thigh winking at him playfully "we can stop at a diner and get breakfast."

Brent glanced over at me shaking his head "fine we will stop"

I smirk leaning back.

Brent rolled his eyes "you know how to get what you want." Looking back to the road he pulled off at the next exit. Pulling into the parking lot of the only diner in sight. He cut the engine getting out and jogged over to open my door.

"Thanks baby." I say exiting the car and take his hand while he leads me inside.
The fresh aroma of bacon filled my sense of smell as soon as the door opened. The little bell above the door jingled as we entered, all conversation from fellow dinners ceasing . The whole place went silent as we walked in slowly.

Looking around I gulped seeing all these truck drivers staring at us. Brent led me to the breakfast bar sitting in a stool. I sat next to him trying to feel less awkward, I hated having all eyes on me.

"Welcome..." A older women's voice broke the silence. I look up slowly sighing in relief noticing it was a waitress "can I start you folks off with something to drink?" She asked setting down two menus in front of us. I nodded biting my lip "coffee please..."

"And I'll have an orange juice, thanks" Brent said looking away to the menu.

I still felt awkward although the conversations through the diner started back up. This diner was probably a main point for truck drivers to stop. I almost felt like I was invading privacy, but this was a public diner.

"This place is weird." Brent mumbled in my ear rubbing my spine in a calming way. "I'll be right back" he said standing and went off to the bathroom. 

I sit alone at the bar nodding thanks to the waitress as she brings over our drinks. I pour cream into my coffee and sugar.While it cools I take a sip of Brent's juice my eyes glancing around the diner. I notice a group of men with beards, they looked like they hadn't showered in months.

Feeling a hand on my shoulder I jolt turning around. Looking up at a large man with a goatee and a trucker hat. He smells like beer and sweat. Gulping I look around panicked for Brent.

"Can I help you...?" I ask softly looking up at the man.

"Yeah, you come here often?" He smirked, his teeth nasty and yellow.

"No I'm from out of town... Just stopping for a good meal." I shrug pushing back against the counter trying to get away from his rotten breath.

"Come on dolly, I'll show you my truck, I got em big tires." He laughs. I feel a large hand grabbing my waist dragging me out of my seat.

"S-stop!" I snap yanking back "sir please... Do not touch me. My boyfriend is going to be right back"

"I don't care about your little boyfriend, he ain't no man!" He laughed spitting on my face.

I frown whipping the spit off my cheek and flinch watching the man fall backwards. I see Brent holding him in a choke hold. "Stop baby, let him go." I say getting up and grab Brent's arm.

"You never touch a women like that again... I don't care how long you've been driving!" Brent yelled. He threw down a $20 on the counter and grabbed my hand. We left the diner, although I was still hungry, I let him leave.

Sitting in the sticky leather seat I look out the window. Brent took a deep breath gripping the steering wheel, knuckles white. He drove fast right back onto the freeway, there was no other cars so he drove... Crazily.

"I'm sorry okay...? As soon as I saw him grab you like that I just... Snapped." Brent growled starting to slow down and glanced over at me.

"I was handling it myself." I mumble crossing my arms and roll the window back down. Staring off into an endless road in a barren land.

It was quiet for a while, I had no reason to be mad at Brent yet I was. He was just protecting me but I didn't want everyone to think I wasn't capable of protecting myself. Before I knew it I was drifting off into a nap.

By the time I woke up the sky was dark and it was raining so hard I could barley see out the windshield. "Brent?" I groan rubbing my eyes

"You've been asleep for a couple hours... Started raining pretty bad" he mumbled reaching over and rest a hand on mine. "About the diner, I really am sorry I just-"

I cut him off hushing him "it's fine" furrowing my brow I look at the road at two red lights "what is that...?" I ask

"Looks like a car..." Brent signed as we approached it he slammed on his breaks. A tall figure stood in the middle of the road, at first it resembled a monster from the woods. I hit my head on the dash board as the car stopped.

"Jesus Christ! It's a guy in the road!" Brent quickly got out of the car "you ok man?! I almost hit you! You shouldn't stand in the road!" He yelled over the sound of the pounding rain on the pavement.

I slowly look out of the windshield seeing the figure jogging over to Brent and an unfamiliar voice catching in my ears.

"I'm sorry sir! I just couldn't have another car pass me. I know visibility isn't great right now... All I need is a ride to a gas station."

We aren't supposed to pick up hitchhiker... I think to myself. But before I can say anything there's a stranger in a hoodie in the back seat while Brent is driving us to a gas station.

The stranger speaks "Thank you for picking me up... My name is James Horon."