One Last Ride

Nights like these, where the air is warm and clean and a faint smell of moisture lingers in the air, these were the nights he liked take it all in. The sounds of a city sleeping floated gently through the open window of his car, and a cigarette hung loosely from his lips as he watched whatever the city displayed from the empty parking lot.

The sound of his passenger door being opened shocked him out of his reverie as a small woman slipped into the seat, a gun in hand.

"Drive," she said, her voice soft but he could feel its chill contrasting with the warm night air.

Where the hell did she come from?

She noticed his hesitation and her eyes flickered towards the pistol. "Please."

Don't start the car, just get out and run.

He felt the engine rumble to life.

Okay now just run.

He shifted the car into gear and pulled onto the road.

What the hell is wrong with you?

"Thank you," she said.

He flicked his cigarette out the window and tried to find his voice.

"Where are we going?" He asked tentatively, the first words he'd had to speak in hours.

She looked puzzled for a second before saying, "Just...around, I guess. Hey can I bum a smoke?"

Tell her to go to hell.

"Sure," he said, handing her his pack, crumpled from his jacket pocket.

Seriously what is wrong with you?

He knew every inch of this city, especially at night. As he drove he flicked his eyes to his uninvited passenger, every time picking out another little detail.

She wasn't much younger than he was, a couple years maybe, and tall. Her hair was cut short and dyed a ridiculous orange colour. Her jacket was heavy and mostly consisted of patches sewn into the fabric. Her boots were well worn and dirty, and a layer of dust covered what could be some very cute freckles on her small face.

Stop that right now.

He noticed the gun, resting on her lap, her hands folded neatly over-top.

She hasn't touched the trigger once.

Her eyes were gazing out the window, focused on the city lights.

Grab the gun, slam on the breaks, punch her in the head, dive roll out of the car, do something!

"I like the billboards in this city," she said softly the chill in her voice now gone, replaced by the warm night air. "They have a kind of artistic vibe to them you know? They feel more like graffiti than corporate advertising."

"Yeah I'd noticed that too," he said.

The worst part is that you actually have.

"You haven't told me where we're going."

"Far away," she said, the icy edge in her voice hinting at a return.

"You're running from something huh?"

"Someone."

Just like you should have run from her.

"Oh."

"I kept noticing him," she said. "First out on the street, then at shops I was at, bars, until finally it got...really bad."

Jesus.

"So far away then." He said.

"Yeah..."

And when you get her there...?

"Are you going to kill me?"

Subtle.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered.

Perfect.

They drove together for some time, the street lights flashing above them. Every so often he would look over and catch her smiling wistfully out the window.

Finally she motioned towards an intersection.

"Take a right here," she said.

"You sure?" He asked. "That'll take us onto the highway."

She knows.

"I know."

Told you.

He did as he was told, making the turn as the city began to get darker and darker, until finally they were out of reach of its gentle light.

All alone now.

"Where are we going?" He asked again. "There's nothing out here for miles."

"I'm not sure," she said. I'll know it when I see it though."

This is bad.

"Um...okay."

I bet there's a grave pre-dug somewhere.

Finally she pointed to a lone tree, growing several yards off the side of the road.

"There," she said. "That's perfect."

She's going to kill you!

"Should I pull over?" He asked, trying to keep the voice from being heard.

"Please."

He pulled the car over and she looked over to him.

"Thanks for the ride," she said with a half smile. "I'm okay from here."

Oh. I understand now.

"What, what do you mean? It's dangerous out here by yourself. At least let me drop you off at a service station or something."

No she got where she's going.

"That's okay, under that tree is perfect," she said getting out of the car. "You should head back. Thanks you again, and I'm sorry about all this."

"I don't understand," he said watching her walk toward the tree, illuminated by the headlights.

Yes you do.

She sat down under that tree and gave it the weight of the world from her shoulders.

Turn around, it's time to go home.

He turned the car around, slowly. A glance in the rear-view mirror saw her bring her hands underneath her chin.

She had this planned out from the start.

A flash of light and deafening bang chased away the night for the briefest of moments, and he saw her slump to the ground.

Her last ride away from it all. She just needed someone to take her there in peace. Sorry it had to be you.

"I'm not," he muttered softly. He felt tears on his face for the orange haired girl covered in dirt. He let them linger for awhile before wiping them away and focusing on the road back to the city.