I'm Hungry

“Tell me where you’re taking me, Adam.”

Cassie laughed as she stepped out the front door into the warm afternoon sun. Gravel crunched under their shoes as they headed toward the car.

“It’s a surprise!” Adam laughed, taking her bag.

“I hate surprises!” She crossed her arms and followed behind him.

“Yeah.” He popped the trunk. “That’s what makes this trip special.”

“Then at least give me a hint.” She smiled, eyeing him. “I might have a surprise… for you.” She giggled.

Adam just smiled and tossed her bag into the trunk. “Oh, now come on. You can’t bribe me. That’s not how surprises work.” He winked.

Then he stepped in close and kissed her quickly, just enough to cut her off.

“I remember this place,” he said. “Well… kind of. From when I was a kid.”

Cassie tilted her head. “You kind of… remember it?”

Adam didn’t answer. He just winked and shut the trunk.

“Just get in,” he said, nodding toward the passenger side. “It’s gonna be a fun weekend. I promise.”

Cassie hesitated for just a second. She slipped on her sunglasses and took a deep breath.

The air smelled like cut grass and summer heat.

She smiled and opened the car door.

Cassie settled into her seat, pulling the door shut behind her.

She glanced back at the house for a second and then looked away.

“Wherever we’re going,” she said quietly, “it’s gotta be better than here!”

Adam glanced over at her. “That bad, huh?”

She let out a small breath.

“Dad got drunk again last night.”

She shook her head, staring out the window. “Him and Mom… they argued all night.”

Adam’s expression softened.

“I’m sorry.”

He reached over, took her hand, and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

“You’ll be out of there soon enough.”

Cassie looked at him. “Yeah?” Cassie held his gaze for a second longer than usual.

He smiled. “We’ll be married soon.”

Cassie leaned forward and kissed him softly.

Then she settled back into her seat, crossing her legs under herself and turning slightly toward him.

Adam reached over and turned on the radio.

Music blared through the speakers.

Cassie quickly leaned over and turned it off.

She looked at him.

“You’re always working. And when we’re married..”

“Don’t start, Cassie.” he smiled.

She leaned back again, watching him.

“All I’m saying is, if we’re going away together… your attention should be on me.”

Adam glanced over, a small smile tugging at his mouth.

He reached for her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “You have my complete attention, Your Highness. Now I have a question… should I keep looking at you, or the road?”

Cassie smacked his shoulder. “Watch the road, silly. And don’t get us lost like last time.”

Adam laughed under his breath.

The tires hummed against the pavement as they drove down the road.

“That only happened one time.”

“Twice.” she snapped.

“Once.” he held up his finger.

Cassie smiled, settling back into her seat. “We’ll see.”

The road curved as they headed up the mountain, the trees closing in around them.

The light filtered through the branches in uneven patches, flickering across the windshield as they climbed higher.

Cassie glanced out the window.

“Didn’t we just pass that sign?”

Adam didn’t look over. “What sign?”

“That one.” She twisted slightly in her seat, looking back. “The yellow one with its corner bent.”

He shrugged. “Probably just another one like it.”

Cassie frowned but didn’t say anything.

A few drops of rain tapped against the windshield.

Then more.

Within seconds, it picked up steady tapping the tin calmly.

Adam flipped on the wipers.

The soft swish and the low hum of the tires filled the car.

The road curved and got steeper as they drove.

Cassie leaned her head back, watching the rain streak across the glass as the world outside turned darker, greener… quieter.

The sound of the wipers and the tires almost lulled her to sleep.

“Hey.”

Cassie blinked.

Adam smirked. “What happened to payin’ attention to me?”

She smiled faintly.

“Am I boring you already, Your Highness?”

Cassie shot forward in her seat, pointing through the glass.

“Watch out!” she screamed.

Adam jerked the wheel slightly, eyes snapping to the road ahead.

A figure stood just off the shoulder.

Close.

Too close.

He hit the brakes.

The car slowed hard, tires hissing against the wet pavement.

Cassie’s breath caught. She swallowed.

“A hitchhiker!” Cassie twisted in her seat, looking back through the rain-streaked glass.

“We have to give him a ride, Adam.”

“Absolutely not.”

She turned back toward him.

“It’s pouring rain. It’s the least we can do!”

She smacked his arm.

“You almost hit him and if he gets hit, Adam!”

He shook his head, jaw tightening.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Then Adam exhaled sharply.

He didn’t say another word.

He shifted the car into reverse.

The wipers dragged across the windshield, struggling against the sudden downpour.

Rain hammered the roof, loud enough to drown out everything else.

Cassie twisted in her seat, watching through the back window as they rolled toward the figure.

He hadn’t moved.

Not even a step.

Adam stopped the car.

He reached for the window and cracked it open just enough.

“Get in!” he shouted over the rain.

For a moment he didn't move.

He just stood there in the rain.

Then the back door opened.

The smell hit before the door even shut.

Cassie jerked back in her seat, turning her face slightly, covering her nose as subtly as she could.

Her eyes wide looking at Adam.

He glanced in the rearview mirror.

“Where you headed?”

“Bit rough to be out walking,” he added.

The man sat in the back seat, drenched.

His raincoat clung to him, dark with stains that didn’t look like water. The smell of spoiled meat filled the car.The man gave a slow nod.

“Yeah…” then he paused and pointed ahead. “The diner, just up the road.”

Adam took a slow breath and met Cassie’s eyes. She shook her head. Without a word, he eased the car back onto the road.

Cassie turned toward the window and gasped.

“Adam…” she whispered. The sign stood just ahead. Yellow. Bent at the corner. The same one. Her voice shook. “We just passed that.”

Adam didn’t respond.

His eyes stayed fixed on the rearview mirror. The man sat perfectly still in the back seat.

His long beard hung heavy, like it hadn’t been touched in years. Adam swallowed. “You from around here, mister?” “All my life.” The man smiled. His teeth were jagged. Rotten. The ones that weren’t missing. Adam cleared his throat.

“I’m Adam and this is Cassie.” she elbowed him lightly. The man didn’t speak. He just lifted a hand and pointed. Adam followed his gesture. Through the rain and fog a flickering neon glowed between the trees. Cassie leaned forward. “Oh…this your stop?” Adam slowed the car. Cassie looked at him, hope lighting her eyes.

The car jerked as they pulled into the lot. A few vehicles sat scattered near the building. An old pickup, a faded sedan, a rusted SUV. Just enough to say the place was open.

Rain poured down in sheets, bouncing off the hood as Adam stopped. The diner sat low against the mountain, its neon sign flickering in the fog. The open sign buzzed faintly, the light cutting through the rain. Cassie leaned forward, peering through the windshield. She could make out people inside. Sitting at tables. The door opened and Cassie jumped. The man paused, one hand on the frame of the car.

“Thanks.” Then, almost as an afterthought. He said “Good food y’all should eat.” then he shut the door. “Oh my gosh,” Cassie gasped. “We are never picking up another hitchhiker.” “Told you,” Adam said, laughing. She looked at him. “I have to pee.” He grinned. “I thought you were gonna pee on yourself when he got in the car.” She smacked his arm. “That's not funny!” “Well let’s go in,” Adam said, glancing toward the diner.

“We can grab something to eat. We’ve still got a while to drive.” Cassie hesitated only a second.

“Yeah, okay.” They stepped out into the rain. Cassie pulled her arms in tight as they hurried across the parking lot. The bell above the door jingled as they stepped inside.The smell hit them instantly. Grease. Meat. And something sour underneath. Cassie slowed. "We'll just have coffee." She whispered as she looked at Adam. Just a quick glance. He gave a small nod toward the side wall. A piece of paper was taped there. With the word bathroom written in thick marker. A hand drawn crooked arrow pointed around the corner. "Be right back." Cassie said. Adam slid into the booth, the cracked vinyl sticking slightly to his arm. He glanced around the diner again. No one had gone back to eating. A man at the counter sat with a fork in his hand, unmoving. A woman in the corner stared down at her plate, but didn’t lift her head. It was too quiet. The waitress stood behind the counter, cigarette hanging from her lips, watching him like she was waiting for something. Then she gave a small nod. Toward the door. A man stood up from a booth near the door. He turned off the open sign and locked the door. The lock clicked. Adam jerked towards the man. He smiled. Adam’s stomach dropped. Suddenly Cassie screamed it tore through the hallway. “Adam!”

He jumped to his feet. He didn't look back he ran. Laughter filled the diner. Voices whispering and chairs scooting across the floor.

He rounded the corner. Cassie struggled in the hallway. A woman had her by her arm dragging her toward a swinging kitchen doors. The smell hit harder here. Thick. Raw. “Adam help me!” Cassie screamed her eyes wide in fear. He lunged forward, shoving the woman back away from Cassie. She stumbled backwards and then smiled. He grabbed Cassie’s hand.

“Run!” he yelled. They bolted down the hall. A door stood half open. He slammed into it. Cold air hit them as they burst outside. Rain pounded down as they sprinted around the building. Cassie slipped and Adam caught her.

“Come on!” he yelled. They reached the car and yanked the doors open. Cassie was sobbing as she shook to close the door. She locked it quickly her hands shaking. Adam started the car gravels flew up as he put the car in reverse. The tires hit the wet road and the car slid sideways.

They shot down the road, rain hammering the windshield. Cassie’s breath came in sharp, broken gasps. “We should call the police!” Adam didn’t answer. He grabbed his phone. “No signal.” He tossed it down. “Just drive. Keep going!” Cassie said her voice still shaking. She twisted in her seat, looking behind them.

Nothing. Just darkness. Adam glanced in the rearview mirror. “They’re not following us.” They drove for hours. The rain had stopped. Cassie checked the phone again. “Still no signal.” she said. Then she looked up and grabbed Adam’s arm. “That sign, Adam!” Her voice trembled. “It’s the sign again we've passed it so many times!” He grabbed her hand tightly. “We're going in circles.” Then a figure appeared ahead of them. Adam slowed the car. “That can’t be…” he whispered. “It’s him again, Adam!” Cassie yelled. The hitchhiker walked slowly along the road. Wearing the same raincoat. Pulled down low over his head. Adam’s grip tightened on the wheel. “We just keep going.” He glanced at Cassie. “We’re going in circles! We keep driving past him!”

The road curved and the neon glow appeared again through the trees. “No, no, no!” Cassie cried. The diner. He slowed the car. “What are you doing?” Her voice rose, panicked. He turned into the lot. Gravel crunched beneath the tires. Cassie grabbed his arm. “Adam, stop! Turn around!” she screamed. He turned his head slowly and looked at her. He whispered, “I’m hungry.”