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<div style="font-family: times;
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font-size: 13px;">The morning sun cut through the silver clouds like beams of light prodding through chandelier crystals. A warm glow cast over the vast span of the horizon, a clear contrast to the chilled temperatures outside. The rays of the sun filtered down and spilled over the dash of her car, splaying over her knuckles which loosely gripped the steering wheel as she navigated her last turn out of the city. Fingers reached over to adjust the temperature dial within the car, flicking it towards a higher heat as the sight of swaying trees outside elicited a shiver across her body. <br/>
<br/>
The monotone voices of bland radio hosts sounded through the car in a low hum; loud enough to provide a source of noise, yet low enough to concentrate on the road ahead of her. Quinn wasn’t much of a road-tripper and didn’t particularly find enjoyment in long trips. She was headed towards Boston — a city that felt like it was on the other side of the world, but was just on the opposite side of the country. Unfortunately, she’d been left with little choice after her mother had called her late the evening prior with unexpected news her father had been involved in an accident and was in terrible shape. After gathering herself and her thoughts, wiping her tears away and came to terms with the idea that her father’s last few breaths may very well be on their way, she stuffed a pile of clothes into a duffel bag and tucked herself into bed. She made a silent promise she’d see him before death’s grip took a hold of him. <br/>
<br/>
The doctor’s had told her mother he’d suffered a significant brain injury, resulting in irreversible brain damage. The likelihood of him waking up was slim, though Quinn clutched that hope tightly to her chest, aware that miracles <i>could </i>happen. No matter the odds. Oh what she would give for him to plant a kiss on her temple and tell her how proud of her he was. Or bake a fresh apple and rhubarb pie for him — a dessert he’d always favoured and put in special requests for her to make for him whenever she visited.<br/>
<br/>
It had been some time since she’d been back to visit her parents. Work, life and monetary issues put a delay on their previous six monthly visitation. If she could take it all back and scramble to find the extra cash to fly back home, she would’ve — all to see her father in high spirits and a bright smile planted across her mother’s face. On the phone, she’d been vague about <i>what </i>happened to him and <i>how </i>he’d suffered such a fatal injury, promising to explain when she arrived. What was so secretive that needed explanation in person?<br/>
<br/>
Dragging herself from the pits of her thoughts and the eventual spiral that’d lead to nothing positive, Quinn sighed heavily as she relaxed back into the worn leather seat. The drive was estimated to take roughly a week — with her calculations including 8 hours of driving each day. Perhaps she could push it out to 10 or 12 hours a day, but it was always safer to under promise and over achieve, so she’d told her mother she’d arrive in seven days. All she hoped was that her father would last that long. <br/>
<br/>
The country that spanned across her windshield appeared dry; barron. There had been little rainfall for the past couple of months, leaving the grass a pale shade of yellow, dust clouds hovering in her rearview mirror as she sped along the road at a comfortable pace. Quinn hadn’t done a solo road trip before. The thought of having very little human contact for days was mildly discomforting. She wasn’t exactly <i>needy </i>but human company was certainly something she enjoyed. Perhaps when she was in areas of decent reception she’d call friends and family to check in and see how they were; to pass the time and make the drive not feel as lonely.<br/>
<br/>
Signs dotted along the road, alerting her to an upcoming gas station. Umber eyes flickered down towards the fuel gauge, noting it was mostly full. However, she indicated towards the gas station and slowed the car, deciding to stop and grab a couple of snacks and drinks, knowing that for at least a couple of hours, there were limited stops between her current location and the next city. Pulling up to the station, the brunette exited the car and roamed into the building, grabbing a bottle of Pepsi and berry flavoured sparkling water. On the way to the counter, she grabbed a bag of pretzels, a banana, a bag of mixed nuts and a tin of pringles. <br/>
<br/>
Exchanging cash for the goods, Quinn promptly exited the store and clambered back into her vehicle, setting the snacks into the back seat, aside from the water and pretzels. Rejoining the road, she popped open the bag of savoury snacks and fed a couple into her mouth.<br/>
<br/>
In the distance, a figure ambling on the side of the road, finger pointed downwards and slightly outwards appeared into view. Hitchhiking? Her foot hovered over the brake pedal, slowing slightly as the figure came closer into view as the car continued to trek along the road. Many of times, her parents had warned her about the dangers of picking up hitchhikers — never knowing who they were, what their intentions were or if they were mentally sound of mind. Her heart skipped a beat as she pressed down further on the brake pedal.<br/>
<br/>
It was a <i>long </i>drive on her own. The temptation to pick up a companion, for even part of the way entered her mind. How bad could they be? The closer she rolled towards the figure, the more distinct their features became.<br/>
<br/>
Masculine build. Dark brown, short cut hair. Relatively tall and appeared young — late twenties if she had to take a guess. Quinn pulled the car up beside the figure, rolling down the passenger window. There was no denying the thudding of her heart against her ribcage, the way her mind warned her of the potential dangers, of spending <i>hours </i>alone with a stranger. In a vehicle. With a stranger who could have been armed, had a criminal history. The possibilities were endless. And despite her invasive thoughts, she decided to turn a blind eye to them.<br/>
<br/>
“Hey,” Quinn called, ducking her head slightly to peer up at the person through the window, “Where are you heading? Need a ride?”<br/>
<br/>
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