My name is Saad, and I am 18 years old. I passed my baccalaureate exams this year and just wanted to treat myself to a celebration. To be honest, I am completely alone in this world—no parents, no family, nothing. I don't know a single thing about my biological parents. I was raised in an orphanage, and this year was my last there because, by law, once you turn 18, you have to pack up and leave. I genuinely had no idea what to do with my life after leaving the only place I ever knew, the place I called home. But that’s life; it doesn't always cater to your wishes the way family would.
The Call of Adventure
Anyway, I decided to travel to a distant rural town, about 300 kilometers away from where I lived. I chose to go solo and hitchhike my way there, planning to take a train or a bus on the way back. You might ask, "Why on earth would you choose to hitchhike?" Well, because I am someone who thrives on adventure.
I started my journey on foot, walking for about six hours, but not a single car would pull over for me. Frustration began to set in, and I thought to myself, "Why not just head to a nearby small village or town, get to a station, and catch a train or something?" I was completely exhausted, and the heat was oppressive. I kept walking, no longer bothering to wave down cars, having firmly decided to just take any public transport.
A Strange Encounter
Suddenly, a pickup truck with an open bed pulled over. Inside was a man and his wife. Honestly, they looked a bit intimidating, but I reasoned that country folks often look rugged because they work hard in the fields and with livestock. Their teeth looked rusted, stained a dark brown, and their breath carried a foul odor. But as I told you, I shrugged it off, thinking it was just the result of a long, grueling day of labor under the scorching sun.
The couple smiled warmly at me, and the man asked, "Where are you heading, son?" "I'm trying to get to City X," I replied. "But if you could just drop me off at any nearby town or village with a train or bus station, that would be great."
They shared a peculiar, almost dim-witted laugh, but in my exhausted state, I figured that’s just how rural people were, different from us city folk. "Welcome aboard," they said. "We can take you to the main city; it’s about 16 kilometers away. But first, I need to drop my wife off at home because our son is there alone. After that, I’ll take you wherever you need." Without hesitation, I agreed. "Sure, no problem."
I climbed in and we set off. The only reason I agreed was my sheer exhaustion, combined with my love for exploring new places and seeking thrills. I thought it would be interesting to see how they lived. During the entire ride, they didn't utter a single word; they just kept exchanging those strange, unsettling laughs.
The Isolated Farmhouse
After 15 minutes, we arrived at the man's house. It was completely isolated, surrounded by vast fields of sunflowers and corn. As we parked, the man turned to me and said, "You look thirsty. Would you like a cold, refreshing drink, traditional countryside style?" "Sure," I replied instantly.
I followed him inside, and he told me to take a seat while he fetched it. The man left the room, and suddenly, another boy entered. He looked incredibly strange, moving almost like a monkey. He approached me, sniffing me and prodding at my head. Trying not to show how terrified I was, I played along, pretending to goof around and bond with him. The woman walked in, and seeing me play with the boy, her face lit up. Smiling, she asked, "Would you like to live with us? It's just me, my husband, and my son here." Anxious not to upset her, I replied as respectfully as possible, "I’d love to, why not? But I just got my diploma and need to finish my studies first. Once I’m done, I’ll definitely come back to visit."
Instantly, her smile vanished into a dark scowl. I could feel her anger. But a moment later, the smile snapped back onto her face, and she said, "No worries, son. You are welcome anytime." Meanwhile, their boy was still poking at my head and ears, which made me incredibly nervous. The way he acted wasn't human at all.
The Suspicious Brew
The man was taking forever, so I started calling out loudly, "Hello? Is anyone there? I'm running really late!" A moment later, the man walked in, apologizing for the delay. He handed me a glass filled with a strange green juice and said, "Here you go."
Honestly, my gut told me not to touch it. Their behavior was far from normal, and a sense of imminent danger washed over me. I wanted out, by any means necessary. To keep up appearances and not show fear, I took a tiny sip. I couldn't even swallow it—it was unbelievably bitter. The man was staring daggers at me, waiting for me to chug the whole glass. "Thanks, but I don't really like the taste," I said. "No, drink it. It's good for you," he insisted. "No, I really don't like it," I repeated.
Escape for Survival
Suddenly, he bellowed at the top of his lungs, "I told you to drink it!" Startled and terrified, I leaped up and bolted out of the house in a sheer panic. He gave chase, but I kicked him away and kept running for my life. As I sprinted, the loud crack of a gunshot echoed, and a bullet struck the dirt right by my feet. Blinded by fear, I didn't dare stop; I just ran faster as a second shot rang out.
Moments later, I could hear the barking of dogs closing in on me. I didn't look back. Thankfully, being in good shape and a fast runner saved my life. I managed to outrun them until I finally hit the main highway. I flagged down a passing car and begged the driver, "Please, get me out of here! They're trying to kill me!"
I got in, he dropped me off in the city, and from there, I caught a train straight back to my hometown. Since that day, I haven't trusted a single stranger, and I will never, ever hitchhike again.
— The End —
Comments & Thoughts