The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of

I’m truly innocent

Image courtesy of Pixabay

The mirror showed a reflection that wasn’t my own but it was a reflection that the rest of the world is convinced is me.

I’m on the run from the law and yet I’ve done nothing wrong.

It all started when I was travelling from Perth to Broome for a much awaited vacation and relaxation trip of a lifetime. I had only driven a couple of hours from Perth when I noticed a young lady standing on the side of the road with her thumb out. The universal sign for hitchhiking.

I pulled over and she raced up to the passenger side window, leaned in with a smile and asked, “Where you heading to tiger?”

I let her know I was heading to Kalbarri this first leg on my trip and she jumped in and settled in the front passenger seat.

“Works for me,” she replied.

I pulled back onto the highway and continued down the road. We chatted some. I told her my plans and she explained she was travelling but with no definite destination in mind. Where she’d end up nobody knows.

We drove for a couple of hours and was nearing our destination when I glanced in the rear view mirror to see a yellow Camaro racing up behind me. I could see a male behind the wheel and he seemed to be in a hurry. The Camaro pulled out and began to overtake us. As it come alongside, it slowed slightly and the male driver had a good look inside my vehicle. Then he smiled and left us for dust.

That smile that he left us with, made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. It was like a ghost had walked over my grave.

I tried to put it out of my mind as I pulled into Kalbarri.

My hitchhiker told me her name was Chloe and asked me to drop her off at the service station on the edge of the town. She was hoping to get another ride before the sun set.

I wished her the best and drove off to find my hotel room for the night.

After a good nights sleep I headed out of Kalbarri for the next leg of my trip.

Within ten minutes of cruising down the highway I noticed the yellow Camaro I’d seen yesterday in my rear view mirror once more. He pulled out to pass me and as he drew level…