[Music] my name is David Miller I'm 29 and I live in Omaha Nebraska I drag a lot for work often late at night over the years I've gotten used to empty highways and Aerie silences but something happened last week that I can't shake it was just past midnight and I was driving home from Kansas City after a work meeting the highway stretched endlessly ahead Dark and deserted my gas light blinked on and I realized I hadn't paid attention to the last few exits up ahead I spotted a small rundown gas station the fluorescent lights flickered
and the sign buzzed faintly in the still air it looked like one of those places you only stop it if you're desperate and I was there was only one other car parked by the pumps an old sden with appe peeling paint job leaning against it was a man in his late 40s tall and Scruffy with a trucker hat pulled low over his face he didn't move didn't even glance away when I pulled in I got out of my car and started pumping gas almost immediately I felt his eyes on me the air felt heavy like
something was wrong long drive the man asked suddenly his voice grally and sharp I looked up forcing a polite smile yeah heading home he nodded slowly still staring this Highway's dangerous at night lot of crazy people out here his words sent a shiver down my spine but I tried to brush it off yeah you're probably right I said focusing on the pump as the numbers climbed he took a step closer you heading toward Lincoln his question caught me off guard and I hesitated before answering H sort of I replied cautiously think you could give me
a ride my car is acting up he said gesturing vaguely to his vehicle there was something off about the way he asked his tone was casual but his body language felt tense like he was ready to pounce sorry I said keeping my voice steady I'm not really going that far his expression shifted and his jaw tightened seeon man just to the next town it's not far I shook my head firmly sensing his frustration grow I really can't sorry about that his eyes narrowed and he took another step toward me you sure about that alarm Bells
were ringing in my head my hand shook as I quickly finished pumping gas barely managing to screw the cap back on I avoided his gaze muttering something about being late and got into my car the second I closed the door I hit the lock button he stood there staring at me his fists clenched at his sides for a moment I thought he might try to open the door or break the window instead he smirked and stepped back his eyes never leaving mine the moment my engine roared to life I sped out of the station heart
pounding in my chest for the next several miles I kept glancing at in my rearview mirror half expecting to see his car chasing me but the highway was empty slowly my breathing began to steady though I couldn't shake the unease that lingered an hour later I turned on the radio to drown out the silence static filled the car before a news Anchor's voice broke through breaking news police are investigating a crime at a gas station off Highway 36 a family of four was found dead in their car and author authorities are searching for a suspect
described as a white male in his 40s last seen wearing a trucker hat and a dark jacket he is considered armed and dangerous my blood ran cold the description was an exact match for the man at the gas station the anchor continued the suspect was reportedly seen asking for rides earlier in the evening if you encounter this individual do not approach him call law enforcement immediately I pulled over to the side of the road my hands trembling on the wheel the man's smirk flashed in my mind along with the way his fists had clenched when
I turned him down if I'd let him into my car I might have ended up just like that family the realization hit me like a punch to the gut for a long time I just sat there staring out at the empty Highway the silence felt suffocating the weight of what could have happened crushing eventually I started driving again but I couldn't focus every mile brought new flashes of his face his voice asking for a ride I made it home that night but I haven't been able to sleep since every time I close my eyes I
think about how close I came to becoming a victim I don't think I'll stop driving at night it's part of my job but one thing's for sure I'll never stop at another lonely gas station again
