The Lonely Highway

" Kid, I remember that night like it was this morning ;

My trucks engine roar grew quieter leaving only the crickets outside to keep me company as I came to a stop on the offramp on 86. I sighed looking at the dark night sky, miles of lonely highway before me. I hated stopping at night but a violation could cause me to lose my job or at the very least a very expensive ticket.

Fog settled to the ground as the moon rose in the distance. Adjusting my seat looking to the right of the offramp I noticed there was a cornfield for miles with what looked like a human figure in the distance. I figured it aws a scarecrow put up for kids to enjoy or something. Glancing at my dash I noted again that it was in fact almost midnight, returing my stare out the window only to see the figure was gone. After checking the locks I sat back rubbing my face vigourously as if I could rub off the tired , grabbing my grown out beard that had been irritating me for the last hour and week before that I decided it was time. Reaching up into my glovebox I grabbed my trimmers and a small hand towel. I tried to tell myself not to but I couldn't help myself for whatever reason. I glanced out the window only to find myself hastily squinting through the window like a kid looking into a candy store. Out into the cornfield again. There in the distance but I swear a little closer sat the same figure from before. Surely no one was working in a cornfield this late. Dropping my trimmers I bent down to grab them , grabbing my metal bat with them and securing it in the center console of the truck; only to return my gaze out my window to find the figure gone. I felt my heart rate spike but told myself I was being childish like when my brother and I were 10 and 11 and thought a monster was going to get us from behind in the dark as we ran to our beds. Ignoring the waves of real anxiety that were running through me. I told myself I was trimming my beard and going to sleep, and so I did eventually anywawy. Trimming turned into chopping it all off because I was in a hurry to go to sleep, then get off that offramp. Something sinister was in the air that night even if I can't say what. Luck of the draw had it that nature called instead. I have never not wanted to pee somewhere in all my life but again told myself I was being childish. No sooner than my boots hit the ground did I see that same figure in the cornfield again only much closer this time, though still cloaked in darkness. I quickly did my business never taking my eyes off that figure. That is until the stupid night owl swooped down for a midnight mouse snack and hoo hoo'd until she reached her tree nearby, scared the shit out of me I swear. After watching that damn owl retreat I could hear my heartrace as it thumped from the startle of that feathery fuck. I turn back to the cornfield and you know what I see? Nothing , Nothing but a cornfield and darkness. Got in my truck faster than I ever have, high tailed it up the highway to a well lit very busy Pilot gas station , screw the violation , I'll pay it. I havn't stopped on the side of the highway or a offramp since, and I recommend you don't either rookie, got that? "