My name is Raymond Havens and this happened to me on October 15th 1993 I was a truck driver working the graveyard shift hauling Freight across the vast emptiness of New Mexico I remember that night vividly the air was thick with the scent of desert sage and the Stars hung low as if you could reach up and pluck them from the sky I was driving my old Peterbilt loaded with electronics destined for Phoenix my CB Radio crackled with occasional chatter from other truckers but the road was mostly silent just the hum of my engine and the
whine of tires on asphalt I was a few miles out from a small town called kazoo a DOT on the map that most people pass without a second thought I've always liked driving at night there's something peaceful about the dark Highway the world asleep around you but that night something felt off I couldn't put my finger on it but a gnawing sense Of unease settled in my gut I had a couple of hours left before my next stop so I decided to pull into a rest area to stretch my legs and grab a quick nap
the rest area was one of those isolated spots with a few dim street lights casting Long Shadows I parked my rig grabbed a thermos of coffee and stepped out into the cool night air the place was deserted except for a rusted out sedan that looked like it hadn't moved in years I leaned Against my truck sipping coffee and listening to the distant howl of coyotes after a few minutes I decided to take a walk to shake off the creeping fatigue as I rounded the back of my truck I noticed something odd the trunk of the
old sedan was slightly a jar curiosity got the better of me and I walked over to take a closer look I tugged at the trunk lid and it opened with a creek inside was a jumble of old clothes a few empty beer cans and Something that caught the light a Blood Stained shirt I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the desert night this was no ordinary abandoned car I closed the trunk trying to make as little noise as possible and and backed away I was about to head back to my truck when
I heard a sound that froze me in my tracks a soft rhythmic scraping like metal on metal I turned slowly my heart Pounding the noise was coming from the direction of the restrooms I could see a faint light flickering from one of the windows against my better judgment I decided to investigate I crept up to the building each step feeling like a thunder clap in the Stillness peering through the grimy window I saw a figure hunched over a workbench illuminated by the sickly yellow glow of a single bulb the man was sharpening a large hunting
knife the blade catching the light with Each stroke he was tall and lean with a mop of unkempt hair and a wild look in his eyes his face was a mask of concentration every movement deliberate and precise I stepped back my mind racing this wasn't just some vagrant or Drifter there was something deliberate about his actions something sinister I needed to get out of there fast I turned to leave but my boot scraped against the gravel and the noise echoed like a gunshot the Man's head snapped up and for a split second our eyes met
through the window I bolted sprinting back towards my truck I could hear him shouting the door of the restroom slamming open behind me I didn't look back I reached my truck yanked open the door and scrambled inside my hands were shaking as I fumbled with the keys finally managing to start the engine as I pulled out of the rest area I caught a glimpse of the man in my rearview mirror standing in The middle of the road the knife gleaming in his hand I drove like a bat out of hell my mind racing who was
that guy what was he doing there and more importantly what had he done to Warrant a Blood Stained shirt in the trunk of that car I made it to the next truck stop without further incident I parked in a well-lit area surrounded by other truckers the sense of safety was comforting but I couldn't shake the image of that man and his knife I Decided to call the local sheriff's office and Report what I had seen it felt like the right thing to do even if it meant I'd be tied up with questions and paperwork the
deputy I spoke with took my information and assured me they'd send some someone to check it out I hung up feeling a little better but still on edge I tried to sleep in my cab but kept waking up my mind replaying the events of the night the next morning I was Sipping coffee at the truck stop Diner when a couple of deputies walked in they spotted me and headed over Mr Havens one of them asked yeah that's me I replied setting my mug down I'm Deputy Martinez this is Deputy Harris we checked out that area
you called about find anything I asked though I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer yeah we did the guy you saw we know him name's Jack Morgan he's been on our radar for a while wanted for questioning in a series of Disappearances along the I25 Corridor I felt a cold knot form in my stomach disappearances yeah mostly Drifters and hitchhikers people who wouldn't be missed right away did you catch him I asked already dreading the answer Deputy Martinez shook his head he was gone by the time we got there but we found the
car you mentioned trunk was empty but there were signs of a struggle in the restroom blood broken glass that sort of thing I didn't know what to say the Relief I felt at not being attacked myself was tempered by the knowledge that this guy was still out there and likely dangerous the deputies took my statement thanked me for my help and left I sat there for a long time staring into my coffee trying to process everything it wasn't every day you stumbled across a potential serial killer over the next few weeks I kept an eye
on the news half expecting to hear about another Disappearance or maybe even the capture of Jack Morgan but there was nothing the world moved on as it always does and I tried to put the experience behind me but every time I pulled into a rest area or a deserted truck stop I felt a twinge of unease a reminder of that night a few months later I was on another Hall this time headed east towards Texas I had almost managed to put the incident out of my mind when I heard it again that same scraping sound
metal on metal it Was coming from the truck next to mine at a rest area just outside of posos my heart skipped a beat and I felt a surge of adrenaline I reached for the tire iron I kept under my seat and quietly stepped out of my cab I moved around to the side of the other truck staying in the shadows the noise was louder now more insistent I peered around the corner and saw a man crouched by the rear tires working on something with a knife my mind flashed back to that night In kiz
zoo and for a moment I was sure it was Jack Morgan but as I got closer I realized this guy was older with a grizzled beard and a pot belly hey I shouted holding up the tire iron what are you doing the man jumped up eyes wide with surprise nothing just fixing a flat he stammered holding up a length of rubber tubing I lowered the tire iron feeling a bit foolish sorry thought you were someone else the man grumbled something Under his breath and went back to his work I backed away still jittery from the
adrenaline I got back in my truck and sat there for a while trying to calm down it wasn't him just some guy with a flat tire but the experience left me shaken I realized that Knight in kiz Zoo had changed me I wasn't as trusting wasn't as relaxed on the road every shadow seemed to hold a threat every Stranger a potential danger it was no way to live but I couldn't help it I finished my hall and decided to take some time off I needed a break from the road from the constant vigilance I went
back home to Colorado spent some time with my family tried to find some peace it's been years since that night but it still haunts me I still think about Jack Morgan still wonder if he's out there still Hunting I suppose that's the scariest part not knowing my name is Leroy Blackburn and this happened to me on August 17th 1998 I was 36 then a truck driver making my way through the back roads of southern Missouri hauling a load of Timber from Mark Twain National Forest to a sawmill in Springfield Trucking was a lonely job but
it paid the bills and kept me on the road which I liked I remember that day well because It was hot as hell the kind of heat that makes the air Shimmer and sweat beat on your forehead just from stepping outside I had my windows down hoping for a breeze but the air was still and thick I'd been on the road since Sunrise trying to make good time before the heat got too unbearable my truck a big old Peter Built 379 rumbled along the narrow Highway the engine's drone almost soothing in its Constancy I was
thinking about pulling over for a break maybe at the next gas station when I noticed a car pulled off on the shoulder up ahead it was an old beat up Pontiac Hood up steam billowing out I could see a guy standing next to it waving his arms normally I wouldn't stop too many stories about truckers getting robbed or worse but something about the way this guy looked desperate almost panicked made me pull over maybe it was the heat maybe it was Just one of those gut feelings either way I slowed down and pulled to a
stop a few yards ahead of him hey man he called out as I climbed down from the cab thanks for stopping my car overheated and I'm stranded can you give me a hand he was about my age maybe a bit younger with Shaggy brown hair and a scruffy beard his shirt was soaked with sweat and he had a wild look in his eyes sure thing I said got any water in the Radiator yeah but it's all steamed out I think there's a leak I walked over to the front of his car and took a look
the radiator cap was off and it was bone dry I had some water in the truck so I went back to get it as I did I noticed the guy looking around nervously glancing up and down the road like he was expecting someone where you headed I asked trying to make conversation Springfield he replied same as you I guess name's Tommy by the way Tommy Garrison Leroy I said handing him the water jug let's see if we can get you moving again we spent the next 15 minutes pouring water into the radiator and trying to
get the car started no luck the engine was shot I offered to give him a ride into Springfield and he gratefully accepted I didn't see the harm in it he seemed harmless enough just another guy down on his luck Tommy Climbed into the passenger seat of my truck and we got back on the road he was quiet for a while staring out the window I figured he was just tired but there was something off about him his hands were shaking and he kept glancing at the side mirror you in some kind of trouble I finally
asked trying to sound casual Tommy looked at me his eyes wide why do you ask you seem jumpy that's all if you're running from someone I'd rather Know about it he sighed and ran a hand through his hair it's complicated I'm not in trouble exactly but there are some guys looking for me I owe them money lone sharks something like that I didn't press for details I'd seen enough in my years on the road to know when not to ask too many questions we drove in silence for a while the miles ticking by I was
starting to think maybe I'd made a mistake picking this guy up when we came to a little diner on the Outskirts of a small town you hungry I asked I could use a bite to eat Tommy nodded looking relieved we pulled into the diner's parking lot and climbed out of the truck the place was nearly empty just a couple of locals nursing coffee at the counter we found a booth in the back and ordered burgers and fries while we waited for our food Tommy seemed to relax a bit he even managed to smile when the
waitress brought our drinks I thought maybe Things were looking up but then the door opened and two men walked in they were big roughl looking types with hard eyes and mean Expressions Tommy's face went pale that's them he whispered we need to get out of here but it was too late the men had spotted us and were heading our way I could see the fear in Tommy's eyes and for a moment I considered making a run for it but where would we go they just follow us I decided to try and talk our way out
of it afternoon jents I said As they approached can I help you with something the bigger of the two a bald guy with a nasty scar on his cheek sneered at me this ain't your business trucker we're here for him he jerked his thumb at Tommy I stood up trying to make myself look as big as possible maybe it's not my business but he's under my protection now you got a problem with him you got a problem with me the scar-faced guy laughed a harsh grading sound you got guts I'll give you That but you're
outnumbered and we're not leaving without him Tommy grabbed my arm Leroy please let's just go but I couldn't back down now not with those guys looking at me like they were ready to tear me apart I glanced around the diner hoping someone would step been but the locals had suddenly found their coffee cups very interesting fine I said stepping aside take him but if he's in one piece when you leave I'll make sure he stays That way the scar-faced guy grinned Smart Choice trucker he grabbed Tommy by the collar and dragged him out of the
booth I followed them outside not sure what I was going to do but knowing I couldn't just let them take him as soon as we were out the door Tommy Broke Free and took off running the two men swore and gave Chase I hesitated for a second then ran after them we didn't get far Tommy was fast but the men were faster they caught up with him at the edge of The parking lot and tackled him to the ground I saw the glint of a knife and without thinking I charged at them I tackled the
scar-faced guy knocking him off Tommy the other guy turned on me Swinging his knife wildly I felt a sharp pain in my side but I ignored it and kept fighting I managed to land a punch on his jaw and he stumbled back Tommy was on his feet now looking terrified run I shouted get to the truck he took off and I tried to follow but the pain In my side was getting worse I glanced down and saw blood spreading across my shirt the scar-faced guy was getting up and I knew I couldn't take them both
go I yelled again and Tommy finally listened he sprinted to the truck and jumped in I turned to face the two men hoping I could buy him enough time to get away way but they weren't interested in me anymore they turned and ran back to their car swearing and shouting I watched them peel out of the parking lot And disappear down the road only then did I let myself collapse when I woke up I was in a hospital bed the nurse told me I'd been found by a couple of locals who had called an ambulance
I had a knife wound in my side but it wasn't life-threatening I asked about Tommy but she didn't know anything a few days later the police came to see me they'd found Tommy's body in a ditch a few miles from the diner he'd been stabbed multiple times the men who'd attacked us Were long gone no trace of them anywhere I recovered from my wound and went back to driving but I never forgot Tommy or the fear in his eyes I'd picked him up because I thought I could help but in the end I couldn't save
him it's a hard thing to live with knowing you tried your best and still failed I still think about that day sometimes especially when I'm driving through Missouri my name is Vernon Gage and this All happened to me on August 16th 2005 I'm a truck driver by trade hauling Freight across the United States it ain't a glamorous job but it pays the bills and gives me plenty of time to think while on the road on that day I was driving through Northern Michigan a route I'd taken dozens of times I was hauling a load of
lumber from the Upper Peninsula down to a small town called pataski the sun was setting and the sky had that pinkish orange Hue that makes Everything seem peaceful I had a quick pit stop at a small diner off US31 it was a cozy almost forgotten place called Dolly's Diner the kind of place that had probably been the same since the 50 with checkered floors and a juke box that still played Elvis I grabbed a coffee and a piece of pie and chatted with Dolly herself a sprightly old woman with a quick wit she joked about
how truckers like me kept her in business we Laughed and I promised I'd stop by more often it was just a brief moment of normaly something that made what happened later feel even more surreal I hit the road again as night fell my headlights cutting through the growing Darkness the road was quiet only the occasional car passing by I always found night drives to be oddly comforting the hum of the engine the steady Rhythm of the tires on asphalt the Solitude but that night something felt off about an hour out from pki I noticed a
car tailing me at first I thought nothing of it maybe it was another driver trying to make up some time but it stayed behind me for miles matching my speed and moves I slowed down hoping it would pass but it just stayed there then when I sped up it did too my nerves started to fray I decided to pull over at a rest stop thinking maybe they'd just go on their way the car pulled in Behind me but nobody got out I watched in my rear view mirror for a minute then figured I'd confront whoever
it was maybe it was just some punk kids trying to mess with me I grabbed my flashlight from the glove compartment and stepped out of the cab as I approached the car I could see there were two people inside but they were just Silhouettes I knocked on the driver's window trying to keep my cool hey you got a problem I said my voice more Steady than I felt the window rolled down slowly and the driver a man in his 40s with a scruffy beard and Hollow eyes looked up at me he didn't say a word
word just stared with this unsettling intensity the passenger a woman looked equally disheveled her eyes wide and darting around like a cornered animal can I help you I asked again this time with more Edge the man finally spoke his voice low and grally we need help our car broke down Back there and we just need a ride something about the way he said it didn't sit right with me his tone was was off too calm too practiced but it was dark and maybe they really did need help against my better judgment I told them to
wait while I grabbed my phone from the truck to call for assistance as I turned to walk back I heard the car door open I spun around and the man was out moving towards me with a speed that caught me off guard in his hand glinting Under the rest stops dim lights was a knife Instinct kicked in I backed up quickly putting my flashlight up like a club stay back I yelled trying to keep my voice steady he didn't stop he lunged and I swung the flashlight catching him on the arm he grunted but didn't
drop the knife Panic surged through me as I realized this was no random act of desperation the woman got out of the car then and she was holding something too a Length of rope this was planned coordinated I was in deep trouble I bolted toward the truck but the man grabbed my jacket yanking me back I twisted and managed to shrug out of it breaking free I scrambled up into the cab slamming the door shut just as he reached it he pounded on the window the knife scratching the glass my hands were shaking as I
fumbled for my phone dialing 911 the dispatcher's voice was a Lifeline in the chaos 911 what's your emergency I'm at a rest stop off US31 near paski two people are trying to attack me one's got a knife stay on the line sir help is on the way the man outside seemed to realize I was calling for help he shouted something to the woman and they both ran back to their car I locked the doors and watched as they sped off tires screeching minutes Later a sheriff's Cruiser pulled in Deputy Miller a Burly man took my
state M while his partner Deputy Harris searched the area I told them everything from the tailing car to the knife attack you did the right thing calling us Miller said his voice calm and reassuring we'll find these people the deputies escorted me to patosi ensuring I reached the delivery safely I spent the night at a cheap motel my mind racing sleep was impossible the next day I finished my delivery and headed back I stopped by doll's Diner again needing some semblance of normaly Dolly noticed I was shaken and poured me a coffee on the house
you all right Vernon she asked genuine concern in her eyes I told her what happened and she listened shaking her head this world's gone crazy you be careful out there weeks passed and I tried to put the incident behind me but it wasn't over a few months later I got a call From Deputy Miller they'd found the car abandoned in a wooded area not far from where the attack happened inside they found evidence linking the pair to a series of robberies and assaults along the highways Miller told me they'd identified the man and woman Frank
and Laura Benson a couple with a long history of violence and theft they were wanted in multiple States it wasn't random at all they'd been targeting truckers seeing us as Easy marks they're dangerous Vernon if you see them again don't hesitate to call I thanked him and hung up a chill running down my spine I realized how close I'd come to being another victim in their spree life went on I kept driving but I was more cautious more aware of my surroundings every time I stopped at a rest area or truck stop I scanned the
lot looking for anything out of place the open road once my Solace now held hel a shadow of fear Months turned into years and the memory of that night faded but never disappeared every so often I'd hear about another trucker getting attacked or a missing person report and I'd think of Frank and Laura Benson the authorities never caught them they vanished leaving a trail of fear and violence behind I still drive the same routes still stop at Dolly's diner for coffee and pie my name is Quenton Davidson and this Happened to me on November 16th
1998 I was hauling a load of Timber from Minnesota down to Iowa a routine route I'd driven countless times before driving trucks wasn't glamorous but it paid the bills and kept me on the road I always preferred the Solitude of the Highway over the humdrum of office work it was a clear crisp evening the kind where the air smells clean and the road stretches out like a ribbon ahead of you I was making good time cruising down Highway 61 when my CB radio crackled to life Quenton you out there it was Earl another trucker I
knew from the yard hey Earl what's up I answered keeping my eyes on the road just a heads up man there's been some chatter about weird stuff happening near that old rest stop by mile marker 142 you know the one that's been closed for years might want to avoid it if you can I laughed weird stuff huh what are we talking ghosts nah nothing like that just people going Missing local Legend kind of crap but better safe than sorry right I Shrugged it off I wasn't one for local Legends or superstitions thanks for the tip
Earl I'll keep it in mind the miles flew by and soon enough I found myself nearing that rest stop Earl had mentioned it was dark by then and I needed a break against my better judgment and partly out of curiosity I decided to pull over the place was as deserted as I expected the old restroom Building stood silent and forlorn its Windows boarded up graffiti scrawled across its walls the the only light came from the Moon and my truck's headlights I stepped out stretched my legs and lit a cigarette the silence was almost comforting no
cars no people just the distant hoot of an owl somewhere in the woods as I smoked I thought about how places like this used to be bustling filled with Travelers stopping for a quick rest now it was just another Forgotten spot on the map my revery was broken by a sound faint but distinct it was a sort of rustling like someone moving through the underbrush I tossed my cigarette and listened harder the sound was closer now definitely human instinctively I reached for the tire iron I kept under my seat hello I called out anyone there
no answer the rustling stopped I felt a chill not from Fear just the cold night air I decided it was probably an animal And turned to head back to my truck that's when I saw him a figure standing at the edge of the woods barely visible in the Moonlight hey you need help I called out gripping the tire iron tighter the figure didn't move didn't respond just stood there watching something felt off I climbed back into my truck deciding it was time to get the hell out of there as I started the engine the figure
began to move stepping into the light he was a Tall man wearing what looked like old dirty work clothes his face was obscured by a hood I threw the truck into gear and pulled out my heart racing in my mirrors I could see him walking towards the road but he wasn't running or trying to stop me just walking slowly deliberately I sped off the rest sto quickly disappearing from view I didn't stop again until I reached a well-lit truck stop a good 50 m down The road I parked locked my doors and sat there for
a while trying to make sense of what I'd seen maybe Earl was right maybe there was something to those local Legends after all a week later back at the yard I ran into Earl again hey Quenton heard you stopped at that rest stop after all he said a knowing look in his eyes yeah I did saw some guy there gave me the creeps Earl nodded you hear what happened to Jimmy Jimmy was another driver from our company a guy I'd shared more than a few beers with no what he's missing last anyone saw of him
he was headed down 61 same as you never made it to his drop a cold knot formed in my stomach you think it's connected could be just be careful out there man lot of strange things happen on these roads roads I nodded but didn't say anything what could I say the world was full of strange things and we truckers saw more than our fair share of Them I hoped Jimmy was okay but I had a sinking feeling he wasn't over the next few months I kept my ear to the ground more drivers went missing always
near that stretch of highway some folks said it was a serial killer others blamed the local meth heads me I just avoided the place like the plague then one night I was hauling a load through the same area it was late I was tired and despite my better judgment I felt the need to stop and rest not at the cursed rest stop but A bit further down the road where there was a small Diner still open I pulled in ordered a coffee and sat by the window watching the night the place was nearly empty just
me and the waitress a middle-aged woman named Barb who seemed more interested in her crossword puzzle than serving customers we made small talk for a bit and I mentioned the disappearances you be careful out there Quinton she said a serious look on her face I've heard stories people going Missing bodies found in the woods it ain't safe I know Barb just trying to stay awake she nodded and went back to her puzzle but her words stuck with me after finishing my coffee I got back on the road I had another couple of hours to go
before I could rest properly so I settled in for the drive the night was Pitch Black the kind where the darkness feels almost oppressive my mind wandered thinking about Jimmy Earl and the others Who had disappeared what had they seen what had they faced as I drove I noticed a pair of headlights behind me at first I didn't think much of it just another driver on the road but the headlights stayed with me matching my spe speed even as I tried to shake them I felt a prickle of unease then out of nowhere the truck
behind me surged forward trying to pass I let it but as it pulled alongside I saw the driver he was the same man I'd seen at The rest stop hooded faceless in the dark he swerved towards me trying to run me off the road adrenaline kicked in I yanked the wheel hard narrowly avoiding the ditch the other truck roared past then cut in front of me forcing me to break hard I skitted to a stop heart pounding the other truck stopped too blocking the road I didn't wait to see what would happen next I grabbed
my tire iron and jumped out ready to defend myself but as I approached the truck it Peeled out tires screeching and disappeared into the night shaken I got back in my truck and called the cops they arrived about 30 minutes later took my statement and promised to look into it but I knew they wouldn't find anything this guy was a ghost a shadow on the highway for weeks after that I was paranoid jumping at every sound every unexpected movement I thought about quitting but what else could I do this was my life so I kept
driving kept Moving always looking over my shoulder then one night it happened again I was on a different route far from Highway 61 but I saw the headlights behind me felt the same surge of fear this time I didn't let it get to me I floored it pushing my truck to its limits weaving through traffic to lose the pursuer eventually the headlights disappeared and I pulled into a truck stop shaking I knew I couldn't keep living like this I needed to do something Needed to confront this ghost on my tail I started carrying a gun
against company policy but I didn't care I wasn't going to be another statistic another missing driver and I told Earl and the others to watch their backs to be careful on those lonely stretches of Road months passed and the disappearances stopped but I never felt safe not really I always felt like he was out there watching waiting for his next chance the last time I saw him was about a year later I was driving Through Nebraska another lonely stretch of highway when I saw a truck pulled over hazards flashing I slowed down thinking it was
another driver in need of help but as I got closer I saw him standing there Hood up face hidden I didn't stop I didn't even slow down I hit the gas and kept going heart pounding in my chest in my mirrors I saw him watching me standing in the middle of the road getting smaller and smaller until he was just a dot in the in the Distance I don't know who he was or what he wanted maybe he was just a Drifter a Madman targeting truckers for some Twisted reason or maybe he was something worse
something Beyond understanding all I know is that I survived and that's more than I can say for Jimmy and the others I still drive but I'm more careful now always on the lookout and I never ever stop at that rest stop by mile marker 142 my name is Darby montigue and this Happened to me in May of 1998 I was hauling a load of refrigerated meat across a desolate stretch of highway in Nevada Bound for a distribution center in Sacramento it was the kind of route where you could drive for hours without seeing another Soul
just miles of scrub land and the occasional tumble weed rolling across the road the monotony was enough to make anyone go a bit stir crazy but the pay was decent and I had Bills to pay it was around midnight when I pulled into a rest area off Highway 50 also known as the loneliest Road in America I needed a break and the Eerie quiet of the place seemed like as good a spot as any there were a few other trucks parked there engines idling softly in the darkness their drivers know no doubt catching some shut
eye I climbed down from my cab stretched my legs and headed toward the restrooms the air was cool and the only Sound was the distant hum of a generator somewhere I noticed a beat up sedan parked at the far end of the lot its Windows too dark to see inside I didn't think much of it at the time folks in all kinds of vehicles used these rest stops as I was washing my hands in the grimy restroom I heard the door Creek open behind me in the mirror I saw a man Enter he was tall
maybe 6'2 with a thick beard and wearing a ratty flannel shirt he didn't make eye contact just shuffled Over to the urinals something about him set me on edge but I Shrugged it off dried my hands and headed back to my truck when I got back to my rig I saw another trucker a guy named Vince I'd met a few times on the road standing by his truck smoking a cigarette Vince was a early guy with a friendly demeanor and we chatted for a bit about our roots and the usual trucker gripes hey Darby Vince
said taking a drag from his smoke you ever Get the feeling like you're being watched out here I chuckled all the time man it's probably just the isolation getting to You Vince nodded but didn't look convinced yeah maybe anyway stay safe out there we said our goodbyes and I climbed back into my cab locking the doors out of habit I reclined my seat closed my eyes and tried to get some rest but sleep didn't come easy I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right the image of that Bearded guy in the restroom kept popping
into my head a few hours later I was jolted awake by a loud banging on my driver's side door my heart leapt into my throat as I grabbed the tire iron I kept under my seat and cautiously peered out the window it was Vince and he looked panicked Darby open up we got trouble I unlocked the door and Vince practically fell inside gasping for breath what's going on I asked my voice tinged with Alarm it's Randy Vince said between breaths you know the guy driving the blue Kenworth I found him behind the restrooms he's dead
man someone slid his throat a cold chill R through me Randy was another regular on this route a quiet guy who kept to himself I couldn't believe it did you call the cops there's no signal out here Vince replied his hands shaking we need to get out of here and find a phone I nodded started the Engine and pulled out of the rest area with Vince riding shotgun we drove in silence both of us on high alert after what felt like an eternity we found a diner with a pay phone about 30 miles down the
road I called 911 and reported the murder giving them the location and details as best I could the police arrived quickly given the remote location and took our statements they told us to stay put while they investigated but neither Vince nor I Wanted to stick around we both had a bad feeling about the whole thing we decided to Convoy the rest of the way to sacrmento figuring there was safety in numbers as we rolled out I couldn't help but glance in my mirrors constantly half expecting to see that bearded man following us the sun was
just starting to rise casting Long Shadows across the landscape but it did little to ease my nerves a few hours later we pulled into the distribution center in Sacramento Exhausted but relieved to be off the road we checked in unloaded our cargo and headed to a nearby truck stop for some much needed rest as we sat in the diner nursing cups of Bad Coffee we talked about what had happened do you think it was that guy in the restroom Vince asked his eyes darting around the room as if the killer might appear at any moment
maybe I said stirring my coffee absent-mindedly he gave me the creeps But I didn't get a good look at him well whoever it was they knew what they were doing Vince said grimly Randy never had a chance the next few days were a blur of police interviews and restless nights the authorities were tight lipped about their investigation but word got around that they had no leads and no suspects truckers started to avoid that stretch of highway 50 and those who had no choice but to drive it did so with a heightened sense of vigilance I
couldn't Stop thinking about Randy and that bearded man every time I pulled into a rest area or truck stop I found myself scanning the faces around me looking for anything out of the ordinary the sense of camarad Among Us truckers was stronger than ever but so was the underlying current of fear a week after the murder I was back on the road hauling a load of electronics to Salt Lake City I had just passed through elely Nevada and was heading into Another long stretch of desolate Highway when I noticed a familiar beat up sedan in
my rearview mirror it was the same one I'd seen at the rest area the night Randy was killed my pulse quickened as I kept an eye on the car it followed for Miles never getting too close but never falling too far behind either I knew I had to do something but with no cell signal and no other vehicles in sight my options were limited I decided to take the next exit a barely marked dirt road That led to an old mining town I figured if the car followed me at least I'd have confirmation that it
was no coincidence sure enough the sedan took the exit right after me my heart pounded as I navigated the rough road dust kicking up behind my rig the road wound through a narrow Canyon and I knew I couldn't keep this up forever I needed to confront whoever was in that car but I had to be smart about it up ahead I spotted a wide spot in the road where I could pull over I parked my truck and climbed out tire iron in hand ready for whatever came next the sedan pulled up about 50 ft behind
me and stopped the driver didn't get out just sat there with the engine running I took a deep breath and walked toward the car my grip tightening on the tire iron hey I shouted what do you want there was no response the driver's window was rolled up and I couldn't see inside through the tinted glass I was about to shout again When the door opened and the bearded man from the restroom stepped out he didn't say a word just started walking toward me with a cold menacing look in his eyes eyes I raised the tire
iron ready to defend myself but before I could react he lunged at me with a knife we struggled and I managed to knock the blade from his hand but he was strong and I was quickly losing ground I swung the tire iron connecting with his shoulder but it barely seemed to phase Him in the chaos I heard the distant sound of an engine approaching another truck appeared at the top of the canyon and I could see it was Vince he must have decided to take the same route after hearing about my plan to cut through
the mining town Vince's truck barreled down the road and the bearded man realizing he was outnumbered made a run for his sedan he jumped in and sped off leaving a trail of dust behind him Vince pulled up beside me his face a mix Of concern and relief you okay Darby he shouted I nodded Breathing heavily yeah thanks to you you that guy he was the one we reported the incident to the police who launched a Manhunt for the bearded man despite their efforts he was never caught the attack left me with a deep scar on
my arm both physical and mental I couldn't shake the feeling that he was still out there somewhere watching and Waiting the murder of Randy and the attack on me changed changed everything truckers on that route became more cautious and the sense of unease lingered long after the events of that night I eventually moved on to a different route hoping to leave the fear behind but the memor stayed with me my name is Dean Kilgore and this happened to me on August 12th 2005 I was a long hul truck driver logging thousands of miles every week
Delivering everything from Electronics to produce the job kept me on the road more than at home but I didn't mind the Solitude and the steady hum of the highway were comforting I had a small house back in tucumari New Mexico but I was rarely there most of my days were spent in the cab of my Freightliner a trusty partner in my cross country tacks on that particular day I had a load of refrigerators to deliver to a warehouse in a small town in West Virginia the place was so small it didn't even show up on
some maps the route took me through miles of back roads winding through dense forests and past forgotten towns I enjoyed the change from the endless stretches of interstate highways but something about this route felt off it was too quiet too isolated I had a CB radio for company but the airwaves were dead no scatter from other truckers no traffic updates nothing just Static I checked my watch and saw it was getting late the sun was dipping below the Horizon casting Long Shadows over the road I figured I'd pull over soon find a rest area and
get some shuty but then I saw a sign for a diner up ahead promising hot food and Truck Parking the diner looked like something out of a movie an old school joint with neon lights flickering above the entrance I parked my rig and went inside the place Was nearly empty just a couple of locals nursing their coffees at the counter the waitress a middle-aged woman with a tired smile handed me a menu I ordered a burger and fries figuring I'd treat myself after a long day on the road as I waited for my food I
struck up a conversation with a guy at the counter his name was Earl a local farmer we talked about the weather crops the usual small talk he mentioned there had been some strange things happening in the Area lately people going missing odd sightings in the woods I Shrugged it off chalking it up to local Superstition every small town had its ghost stories my food arrived and I dug in the burger was greasy and delicious just what I needed I finished up paid my bill and headed back to my truck the parking lot was empty except
for a couple of other rigs their drivers probably asleep in their cabs I climbed into my truck locked the doors and Settled in for the night I must have dozed off quickly because the next thing I knew I was jolted awake by a loud bang I sat up heart pounding trying to figure out what had happened another bang this time from the back of the truck someone was out there messing with my rig I grabbed a flashlight and cautiously opened the door the night was Pitch Black and and the air was thick with the scent
of pine I shown the flashlight around but saw nothing just the empty Parking lot and the Shadows of the surrounding trees I checked the trailer and the cab everything seemed fine maybe it was just an animal or something I locked up again and tried to go back to sleep but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong my gut was telling me to get out of there but I ignored it I was too tired to drive and figured I was just being paranoid a few hours later I woke up again this time to a
strange scraping sound it was Coming from the back of the trailer I grabbed my flashlight and a tire iron and cautiously made my way outside the night was eerily silent the only sound was my footsteps on the gravel I rounded the back of the trailer and saw something that made my blood run cold there was a man crouched down by the rear doors prying them open with a crowbar he was tall and lanky dressed in dark clothes that blended into the night his face was obscured by a baseball cap Pulled low over his eyes he
looked up when he saw my flashlight and for a moment we just stared at each other hey what the hell are you doing I shouted gripping the tire iron tightly the man didn't respond he just stood there staring at me with an intensity that made my skin crawl then without a word he turned and bolted into the woods disappearing into the darkness I debated whether to chase after him but something told me it was a Bad idea instead I checked the trailer doors they were damaged but still locked I decided it was time to leave
I jumped into the cab started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot as fast as I could my heart was racing and my hands were shaking I drove for a few Miles trying to put some distance between me and that Diner I found a truck stop well lit and busy and parked there for the rest of the night I didn't sleep much Kept hearing that scraping sound in my head the next morning I called the local sheriff's office and reported what had happened they took my statement and said they'd look into it but
I could tell they didn't think it was a big deal just some local Troublemaker probably I continued on my route but I couldn't shake the Fe feeling that I was being watched every time I stopped I was on high alert scanning the area for anything out of place a few days later I Finished my delivery and headed back home to New Mexico I tried to put the whole thing behind me but it kept gnawing at me I did some digging online looking for any news from that small town in West Virginia what I found was
chilling there had been several reports of people going missing in the area and a few bodies had turned up in the woods mutilated and unrecognizable the descriptions matched what Earl had told me in the diner I Couldn't help but wonder if the man I saw was connected to those disappearances the thought made my blood run cold I couldn't stop thinking about it replaying the events of that night over and over in my head I even went back to the diner a few months later hoping to get some answers the place was closed boarded up like
it had been aband for years I asked around and found out it had been shut down shortly after my visit the locals were tight lipped Didn't want to talk about what had happened I didn't press them figured I'd be better off not knowing but the nightmares didn't stop every night I dream of that man his cold empty eyes staring at me I'd wake up in a cold sweat my heart pounding I tried to convince myself it was just my imagination but deep down I knew better something was out there something evil I've thought about quitting
Trucking finding a job that keeps me closer to Home but every time I do I remember that feeling of freedom on the open road The Thrill of the unknown so I keep driving always on the lookout always aware of my surroundings I don't stop at diners anymore stick to well-lit busy places I've even started carrying a gun just in case I've told this story to a few people but most of them just laugh it off say I'm overreacting maybe I am but I know what I saw and I'll never forget it it's a Constant reminder
that there's Darkness out there lurking in the most unexpected places and sometimes it finds you no matter how fast you run a few months after the incident I heard from Earl again he called me out of the blue his voice shaky and tense he told me another person had gone missing a young woman who worked at the diner the sheriff's department was investigating but they didn't have any leads Earl was convinced it was the same guy the one I saw that Night we talked for a while trying to piece together what little information we had
Earl mentioned that the missing woman Jenny had been seen talking to a stranger a few days before she disappeared the description matched the man I saw tall lanky dark clothes no one knew who he was or where he came from I couldn't shake the feeling that I was somehow connected to all this maybe if I had done something that night chased after him things would be different but There was no use dwelling on it what's done is done all I can do now is be vigilant keep my eyes open and hope that someday the man
will be caught but until then I'll keep driving the memory of that night a constant companion it's a reminder that no matter how safe we think we are danger can always find us and sometimes the scariest monsters are the ones that Walk Among Us hiding in plain sight one night as I was parked at a rest stop in Kansas I got a knock on My cab door it was a fellow trucker a guy named Hank I'd met a few times on the road he had heard about what happened and wanted to know the details we
sat on the hood of my truck sharing a couple of beers and I told him everything Hank listened quietly nodding occasionally when I finished he looked at me and said you did what you could Dean don't beat yourself up over it some people are just plain evil and there's Not much we can do about it but if you ever run into that guy again you know what to do I nodded appreciating the sentiment we talked for a while longer swapping Road stories and laughing about the crazy things we'd seen over the years it felt good
to share the burden to know I wasn't alone after Hank left I sat there for a long time staring at the stars I thought about Jenny about the other people who had gone Missing I made a silent promise to myself that if I ever saw that man again I wouldn't hesitate I'd do whatever it took to stop him my name is Rusty Timmons and this happened to me on October 14th 2003 I remember that day because it was the first time in my life that I ever truly felt fear not the kind of fear that
comes from jumping out of an airplane or watching a scary movie no This was the kind of fear that grabs hold of your spine and doesn't let go and it all started with a routine Hall I'm a truck driver by trade been one for about 15 years now it's a tough gig but it's honest work that day I was headed to Sweetwater Texas hauling a load of electronics from a warehouse in Oklahoma City I usually prefer daytime driving but schedules don't always align and that run had me driving through the night my rig a blue
Kenworth W900 was a beast I called her Betsy she was old but reliable much like myself the night was clear the highway empty and everything seemed normal as I left the city limits behind after a few hours on the road I pulled into a small truck stop to grab a coffee and stretch my legs it was one of those places that barely had a name just a neon sign that flickered open against the darkness inside the diner was nearly empty a couple of truckers sat at the Counter and a waitress looking like she'd seen better
days shuffled between tables I grabbed a booth and ordered a black coffee the waitress Marge judging by her name tag poured my coffee and gave me a tired smile long night she asked her voice Rough Around the Edges yeah you could say that just need to make it to Sweetwater by morning I replied taking a sip the coffee was as bad as expected but it did the job we exchanged a few pleasantries and I learned she'd been working there for 30 years she told me about the regulars and how the place hadn't changed much it
was nice in a way hearing about the slow pace of life in that corner of the world I finished my coffee paid the bill and headed back to Betsy as I was about to leave I noticed one of the truckers at the counter staring at me he was a Burly guy with a beard that looked like it had never seen a razor he gave me an uneasy feeling but I Shrugged it off just Another trucker I thought back on the road the miles tick by the landscape was a monotonous stretch of flat Plains and Scattered
trees around midnight I passed through a small town it was one of those places you miss if you blink the only thing of note was an old decrepit motel with a flickering sign that read the Lone Star in I remember thinking how lonely it looked another hour later I started feeling the fatigue set in I had planned To put push through but my eyes were getting heavy so I decided to find a place to pull over and catch a quick nap up ahead I saw a rest area sign and took the exit the rest area
was deserted just a couple of picnic tables and a bathroom that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in months I parked Betsy turned off the engine and reclined my seat the quiet of the night was almost comforting I set an alarm for an hour later and closed my eyes just as I was drifting off I heard A noise it was faint like someone shuffling around outside the truck I opened my eyes and listened but all I heard was the wind figuring it was just my imagination I settled back down and fell asleep I woke up
to a strange sensation it was like someone was watching me my eyes snapped open and I looked around outside in the dim glow of the rest area lights I saw a shadow moving near the back of my truck I sat up and reached for my Flashlight I always kept one handy along with a wrench under my seat you never know when you might need to fix something or defend yourself quietly I opened the door and slipped out the air was cold and I could see my breath I crept around the side of the truck flashlight
in one hand wrench in the other when I got to the back I shined the light around nothing the lot was empty just the usual Highway litter I let out a sigh of relief and decided It was probably an animal or my mind playing tricks on me I headed back to the cab but then I heard it again footsteps this time clearer coming from behind a nearby dumpster I swung the flashlight around and that's when I saw him the same trucker from the diner he stepped out from behind the dumpster and there was something in
his hand it glinted in the light a knife my heart pounded in my chest as I backed up holding the wrench tighter what do you Want I called out trying to keep my voice steady he didn't answer instead he started walking toward me the knife raised I panicked swinging the wrench wildly he dodged and lunged at me slashing my arm pain shot through me but the adrenaline kept me moving I swung again this time connecting with his shoulder he grunted and stumbled back giving me a chance to get some distance I ran around to the
driver's side and scrambled into the cab slamming the door Behind me my arm throbbed blood soaking my sleeve I fumbled for my phone dialing 911 with shaking hands 911 what's your emergency there's a guy with a knife he's trying to kill me I shouted locking the doors and starting the engine sir where are you rest area off Highway 84 near mile marker 62 I said GL glancing in the mirrors the trucker was gone stay on the line sir help is on the way I hung up and grabbed a rag from the glove compartment pressing it
to my arm the Wound wasn't deep but it was bleeding pretty badly I kept looking around expecting the trucker to appear at any moment minutes felt like hours finally I saw the flashing lights of a patrol car coming down the highway I honked the horn trying to get their attention the police arrived and I explained everything to them they searched the area but didn't find the trucker it was like he'd vanished Into Thin Air they took my statement and Called an ambulance to patch me up as I sat on the back of the ambulance watching
the paramedics work I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched but there was no one there just the dark stretch of highway and the occasional car passing by the police escorted me to the nearest hospital where I got stitched up they told me they'd keep an eye out for the guy but I knew it was unlikely they'd find him the whole experience left me shaken I called My dispatcher and told him what happened he was sympathetic and told me to take a couple of days off I spent the next few nights in a
motel too scared to sleep in Betsy every noise made me jump and I kept replaying the encounter in my head the image of that knife the look in the trucker's eyes it all haunted me I started to question everything why me well was it just a random act of violence or was there something more to it a few days later I got back on the Road I had to it was my job and I couldn't let fear control me but things were different I was more cautious always on edge I avoided rest areas and truck
stops preferring to pull over at well-lit populated places I also started carrying a gun I wasn't going to be caught off guard again months went by and I tried to put the incident behind me life on the road continued but the memory lingered then one night I heard a news report on the radio about a trucker Found dead at a rest area the details were eerily similar to my encounter a lone trucker stabbed to death no Witnesses it sent chills down my spine I called the police and gave them my story again hoping it might
help they thanked me but I didn't hear anything more about it I started to wonder if it was the same guy or if there were more out there like him my name is Cyrus hail and this happened to me on July 14th 1992 I was a truck driver back then hauling Goods across the country for a small freight company that day I was driving through the back roads of Oregon a place called wallawa County the place was remote surrounded by thick forests and rugged mountains it was just me the road and my old Peterbuilt truck
I had been on the road for about 6 hours feeling the weight of the drive and decided to pull over at a small rest area near the town of Enterprise there Was a single gas pump A rundown diner called mabels and an old faded sign that read welcome to Enterprise I needed a break some coffee and a bite to eat my buddy Ted had told me about Mabel's famous apple pie so I figured I'd give it a shot inside the diner was like stepping back in time the walls were lined with old photographs the kind
that told stories of the past the smell of bacon and coffee filled the air I sat at the Counter ordered a coffee and a slice of that pie and got to talking with the waitress a middle-aged woman named Sarah you're a Long Way from Home aren't you she said with a smile pouring my coffee yeah just passing through I replied heard the pie here is worth the trip she laughed Mabel's pie is the best in the state you won't be disappointed while I was enjoying my coffee and Pie a couple of locals came in one
of them a tall wiry guy with a Scruffy beard sat next to me he looked like he had seen better days the other a short stocky fellow with a baseball cap nodded in my Direction new in town the tall guy I asked just passing through I said named Cyrus I'm Roy he said extending a callist hand this here's Dave we chatted for a bit and I found out they were loggers they warned me about the roads up in the mountains said they could be tricky especially at night I thanked Them for the advice finished my
pie and left a tip for Sarah as I was heading back to my truck I noticed an old Ford pickup parked next to it the bed of the truck was filled with logging equipment chainsaws and axes something about it gave me an uneasy feeling but I Shrugged it off I had miles to cover and deadlines to meet back on the road the sun began to set casting Long Shadows across the forest the radio was playing some classic rock and I was feeling Pretty good then about an hour later the CB radio crackled to life breaker
1 n this is Lone Wolf anyone out there it was Roy's voice I grabbed the mic this is big rig go ahead Lone Wolf hey Cyrus just wanted to let you know there's been some trouble up ahead logging truck overturned blocking the road you might want to take the detour copy that Lone Wolf thanks for the heads up I checked the map and saw a narrow road that veered off to the right Leading through the mountains it was a longer route but it seemed like the only option I took the detour the road winding through
dense forest the trees closing in on both sides after about half an hour the road narrowed even more barely wide enough for my rig it was getting darker and the headlights barely pierced the thick fog that had settled in the CB radio crackled again big rig you there yeah go ahead be careful out there strange things happen in these Woods what kind of strange things but there was no response just static I kept driving my eyes scanning the road ahead suddenly I saw a figure standing in the middle of the road I hit the brakes
the truck screeching to a halt it was a man waving his arms frantically help please help me I grabbed my flashlight and climbed down from the cab the man was in his late 20s his clothes torn and dirty his face pale with fear what's going on I asked my friend he's hurt we were Hiking and he fell I need help where is he not far just off the road I followed him into the woods my flashlight cutting through the darkness we walked for about 10 minutes before we reached a small clearing there was a campsite
a tent and a fire that had burned down to Embers but there was no one else there where's your friend I asked turning to face the man he didn't answer instead he pulled out a knife the blade glinting in the flashlights beam my heart raced I backed Away but he lunged at me slashing wildly I managed to dodge the first few swings but he was fast and determined I swung the flashlight hitting him in the face he stumbled back giving me a moment to reach into my pocket and pull out my folding knife we circled
each other the tension thick in the air why are you doing this I demanded he didn't answer instead he charged at me again I Sid stepped and slashed his arm causing him to drop his knife he Screamed in pain clutching his bleeding arm who are you I shouted my voice echoing through the trees he didn't respond just stared at me with wild desperate eyes I could see he wasn't going to give up easily he lunged at me again but this time I was ready I tackled him to the ground pinning him down why I repeated
my knife at his throat he laughed a cold Hollow sound you're in the wrong place at the wrong Time suddenly there was a rustling in the bushes another man emerged his face hidden in the shadows he was holding a rifle aimed straight at me let him go the man with the rifle ordered I had no choice I released my grip on the guy beneath me and slowly stood up my hands raised the man with the rifle motioned for his friend to get up get his wallet the man with the rifle said the guy I had
tackled rummaged through my pockets pulling out my wallet he tossed it to The man with the rifle who flipped through it then threw it on the ground let's go he said the two of them disappeared into the woods leaving me standing there shaken and Confused I picked up my wallet checked that everything was still there and hurried back to my truck I radioed Roy but there was no response I drove through the night my mind racing with questions who were Those men what did they want and why did they let me go when I finally
reached the next town I reported the incident to the local sheriff he took my statement but I could tell he didn't believe me he said they'd look into to it but I knew it was a dead end I kept driving trying to put the whole ordeal behind me but it haunted me the memory of that night the fear in those men's eyes I couldn't shake the feeling that something darker was Lurking in those woods something I had barely escaped years later I heard about a series of disappearances in wallawa County hikers campers even a few
truck drivers had gone missing their bodies never found it sent chills down down my spine knowing that I had come so close to becoming one of them to this day I can't drive through Oregon without thinking about that night my name is Dale McGovern and this All happened back in the summer of 1993 I was a truck driver doing long hauls across the country it wasn't the most glamorous job but it paid the bills and gave me a sense of freedom I was hauling a load from Ohio to a small town in Northern New Mexico
the route was long and mostly uneventful but it's what happened near the end that still keeps me up at night I was driving my rig an old but reliable Peterbuilt through a remote stretch of road in the New Mexico Desert the scenery was Barren just sand scrub and the occasional rock formation it was the kind of place where you could drive for hours without seeing another Soul perfect for thinking or so I thought I remember it was a Thursday late afternoon and I'd been on the road for about 10 hours already I had my CB
radio on but it was mostly static I hadn't seen another vehicle for Miles the sun was beginning to set casting Long Shadows over the desert I Was getting tired but I wanted to push through and make it to a rest stop a couple of hours ahead as the light started to fade I noticed something strange there was an old beat up Ford Pinto on the side of the road with its Hood up a man was standing next to it waving his arms normally I wouldn't stop for anyone in such a remote area too many horror
stories of people getting jumped or worse but something about this guy seemed Different he looked genuinely desperate I pulled over a few yards ahead and got out the Heat hit me like a w wall even though the sun was setting I walked back to the car and saw the man up close he was in his late 30s with scruffy brown hair and a three-day beard his clothes were Dusty and worn like he'd been out there for a while hey man you need some help I called out yeah thanks he said his voice cracked and dry
my car just died on me been out here for Hours can't get a signal on my phone I glanced around it was desolate where you headed just trying to get to the next town man I've been stuck here since noon I knew I couldn't just leave him there but something about the situation made me uneasy all right hop in I can take you as far as the next rest stop he grabbed a small backpack from the car and climbed into the passenger seat in my rig I got back behind the wheel and started driving for
the first few Minutes it was quiet the guy just stared out the window his fingers tapping nervously on his knee so what's your name I finally asked Jason he said thanks for stopping Dale not many people would no problem what happened to your car don't know it just quit on me maybe it's the alternator we made small talk for a while he seemed decent enough but I kept my guard up after about an hour the Darkness was complete and the road ahead was just a ribbon of black under my headlights I told Jason we'd be
at the rest stop soon that's when I saw them two figures standing in the middle of the road I slammed on the brakes and the truck skidded to a stop just a few feet from them Jason and I both lurched forward and I heard a loud thud from the back of the truck what the hell I muttered looking at the figures they didn't move I couldn't see their Faces clearly just dark shapes against the headlights stay here I told Jason grabbing the flashlight from the glove compartment I stepped out of the cab my heart pounding
in my chest as I approached I could see they were both men dressed in dirty ragged clothes one was holding something in his hand a tire iron hey you guys need help I called out trying to keep my voice steady the one with the tire iron stepped Forward yeah we could use a hand he said his voice low and rough something was very wrong I started to back up but before I could react the second guy lunged at Me Knocking me to the ground the flashlight went flying and I felt a sharp pain in my
ribs Jason help I shouted but the sound of the truck door opening and then closing was all I heard my supposed passenger had abandoned me I struggled against the man holding me down but the other guy joined in and Soon they had me pinned what do you want I gasped just a ride man the one with the tire iron said grinning down at me and maybe a little something for our trouble they dragged me to the side of the road away from the truck I could hear them rumaging through the cab and then there was
silence I tried to get up but a boot pressed down on my back don't move one of them hissed I lay there faing the dirt for What felt like an eternity finally I heard their footsteps retreating I rolled over and saw them getting into my truck the engine roared to life and they drove off leaving me in the darkness I lay there for a while trying to catch my breath and make sense of what had happened my ribs hurt like hell but nothing felt broken I forced my myself to stand up and started walking there
was no sign of Jason or The other two guys after what seemed like hours I saw lights in the distance a gas station or a diner I couldn't tell I stumbled toward it hoping to find a phone some help anything when I got closer I saw it was a small Diner the neon sign flickered casting Eerie Shadows on the ground I pushed open the door and the bell above jingled the place was nearly empty just a couple of truckers at the counter and a Waitress wiping down tables help I coked my voice barely audible the
waitress looked up her eyes widening oh my God what happened to you got jumped I said collapsing into a booth need to call the cops she rushed to the back and a minute later a Burly guy in a Cook's apron came out he handed me a phone and I dialed 911 with shaking fingers the police arrived about half an hour later they took my statement asked me a lot of questions I didn't have answers To Jason was gone my truck was gone and I was left with a bruised body and a story that sounded too
wild to be true they found my truck a few days later abandoned on a dirt road miles away no sign of Jason or the other two guys my wallet and a few other things were missing but otherwise the truck was intact they never caught the guys who did it and I never saw Jason again I went back to work after a few weeks but I was never the same I always Double- checked my locks and I never stopped for anyone on the side of the road again that stretch of desert became a place of nightmares
for me a reminder that sometimes the worst monsters are just people
