Night Ride (standard:horror, 1487 words)
Author: pjlawton	Added: Sep 15 2003	Views/Reads: 3404/2216	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A young man walking along a deserted highway accepts a ride from a mysterious stanger.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

we were parked at a roadside store. Looking down the highway I could 
read a sign that said Memphis 110 miles. I glanced at the old 
Cadillac's dashboard clock, 2:17 A.M.  I couldn't believe that I had 
slept so long. But, more importantly how had we come so far so fast. 

A few minutes later we were back on the road. The driver gave me an
intense studying look then asked, “Son, are you planning on the music 
business as a career.” 

“Mister, I've been playing since I was five years old. I really don't
know anything else. In my backpack are about 40 songs that I have 
written. After Memphis my plan is to go Nashville. With a little luck I 
will be a star someday.” 

Abruptly his tone chilled. I felt a thousand goose bumps form as he
spoke. “Well, I can see you have yet to learn that the music business 
is a long hard road, a really hard road. I know. I started out pretty 
much like you. In fact you remind me of my young self. Sometimes 
though, you just have to make your own luck.” 

“You are in the music business? Would I know any of your music? You do
look sort of familiar.” 

His tone was now a little sadder. “Well, let's just say that I was doing
pretty well until I made a few bad decisions. Anyway, that was a long 
time ago. Son, the music business can be like a giant leech. If you are 
not careful it will suck the lifeblood right out of you. You look like 
a bright young man. I will give you two little pieces of advice. Well, 
not exactly advise, more like warnings. Believe me, it comes from first 
hand experience.” 

He stopped talking and a sudden stillness came over him like he was
reaching for far dark memories. A few seconds later a shiver ran over 
his body and he continued. “First of all, choose your friends wisely. 
Many will pretend to be friendly but will take everything they can. 
Just bleed you till there is nothing left. The second is probably the 
most important warning I can give. Stay away from booze and drugs.” 

“Mister, I don't use drugs or booze. I haven't had a drink in over a
year.” 

“That is fine for now. As you get more established in the business, more
famous as you say, the pressures will increase daily. Two to three 
hundred days each year on the road will do that to you. Sometimes it 
gets so bad that you can't even remember what city you're performing. 
You can't let that happen. Using the booze and drugs won't help. You 
just have to do whatever it takes to get by, shorter concert tours, 
frequent trips home, whatever.” 

Bitterly, as though talking to himself he continued, “Once the booze and
drugs take over, you're finished.” 

He stopped talking again then after a few seconds his mood lightened and
he started humming. I knew that song, I couldn't remember the name but 
it was right on the tip of my tongue. I started to ask him the name but 
was too embarrassed. 

Ninety minutes later we were approaching the lights of a big city.  The
driver pulled over where the road forked. One fork was to the brightly 
lit city, the other into the darkness of the country night. 

He slowly turned to me and in a quiet sad voice said. “Son, this is far
as I go. Those lights up ahead, that's Memphis. Oh, one thing to 
remember, the music business can be a wonderful career. Just be sure 
that you can control it, if not, it will surely control you. Goodbye 
son, remember my warnings and good luck to you.” 

I retrieved my gear, stood by the roadside and said. “Thank you so much
mister, I surely do appreciate the ride, and the advice. By the way, 
will you tell me your name?” 

“No son, I believe you already know.” 

With a wave of his hand the driver turned and slowly drove off down the
dark country road. In less than a second he and the big dark car 
vanished. I stared for a few minutes trying to make sense of what had 
just happened and what I had experienced this night. 

Finally I turned and began a slow walk toward the bright city lights. 
Thoughts of the driver's words kept moving through my mind.  After a 
short distance I turned for one last look down the darkened road. 
Floating through the air on a soft summer breeze I could hear singing 
in a voice I instantly recognized. It was the song the driver had been 
humming all night.  “Since my baby left me, I've found a new place to 
dwell. Its down at the end of lonely street, its . . .” 

End 


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