[ WP ] You ’ re at a convenience store on the edge of town at midnight . A sketchy person approaches you , frantic , asking for a ride somewhere more than twenty miles in the opposite direction of your home . Despite reservations , you agree . Write the car ride .

`` It's a long story,'' she says, her face focusing on the road ahead. `` Turn left here.'' 
 
 Harry turned down the street. His car drove past another store in the chain, it too closed, but he could see the staff milling about inside. `` We've got another twenty miles yet.'' 
 
 `` Let me rephrase,'' she sighs, `` It's not something I want to talk about.'' 
 
 Harry glanced at her disapprovingly. He would give her a full glare, but he had his eyes on the road ahead. Not that there was anyone about. It was the dead of night, the roads were almost completely empty, save for the occasional late night haulage lorry. `` You did say you'd explain.'' He said. `` It's why I agreed to help.'' 
 
 `` So it has nothing to do with you being a decent human being then,'' she replied, her eyes staring out the passenger side window. She looked on as the familiar city gave way to the motorway. 
 
 `` I'm sorry,'' Harry replied, `` But you're the one who came into the store begging for a ride this late at night. The least you could do is explain why.'' 
 
 For a moment there's an awkward silence in the car. Then she shuffled uncomfortably in her seat `` I just need to get to the next town.'' she says hesitantly. 
 
 `` But why?'' 
 
 Again she fidgets. She avoids his question again, more content to pick at her jeans. `` I just do.'' 
 
 `` That's not a reason.'' 
 
 The girl shrugged. `` Sorry.'' 
 
 `` Well, we're on our way now,'' Harry replied. He looked once again at her. She seemed so young, barely fifteen. He was reminded of his own teenage years, and how awkward is was to talk to anyone just a couple of years older. She must be desperate, he concluded. 
 
 Then he realised something else. She was fifteen. Her parents could have reported her missing. Police could be after him any minute. His face could be all over the news as a wanted kidnapper. `` Your parents know where you are right?'' 
 
 `` No.'' 
 
 Panic came over Harry. This was it, he was going to be arrested for sure. `` Okay, I need to know right now, where are we going?'' 
 
 The girl readjusted herself in the seat. She looked down at her lap, her thumbs twiddling around each other, `` the hospital,'' she eventually replied. 
 
 A wave of calm ran over Harry. This was immediately followed by a sense of guilt. He had worried so much about what might happen to him he had n't even considered what was going on with her. He changed his tact slightly, `` Is everything okay?'' 
 
 It was her turn to glare at him now. `` I'm fine.'' 
 
 `` So who's in the hospital?'' Harry asked. 
 
 `` Just a friend,'' she said. 
 
 `` Is it serious?'' 
 
 `` He's in the hospital.'' she replied. `` So yeah, it's serious.'' 
 
 Harry did n't respond to that. Once again he focused on the road. Seemingly unending motorway, looking for the sign that lead to the next town. Still several miles away Harry kept driving. 
 
 `` Sorry,'' she said, breaking the silence, `` It's been a long day.'' 
 
 `` I understand,'' Harry replied, `` must be tough.'' 
 
 `` You've no idea.'' 
 
 `` Try me?'' Harry suggested. He had n't intended to play an agony uncle, but how could he say no to her? She had been so desperate when she rushed into the store, and while he did n't really know her, something in his gut told him he should help. 
 
 Of course right now she was being closed off. Every question was being avoided or rebuffed unless it was about where they were going. It was getting him nowhere. At least, not anywhere in terms of knowing the situation, he was certainly getting nearer with every second. 
 
 `` Thanks for this,'' she said, as the car pulled onto the off ramp. 
 
 `` I'd say anytime,'' Harry replied, `` But I kind of hope not to regularly be shipping people to the hospital in the next city.'' 
 
 `` Trust me,'' she replied, `` I do n't exactly want to keep coming back here.'' 
 
 She guided Harry around the city some more. It was obvious from her directions that she'd been here before, though Harry could n't tell if she was just local, or had just come to this hospital so frequently. 
 
 The car pulled into the hospital a couple of minutes later. Immediately she got out of the car, but before she disappeared she looked to Harry, `` Thanks again,'' she said, before she ran straight inside. And like that she was gone. Harry looked at the door of the hospital, hoping she would be alright. 
 
 After a moment Harry pulled away. Turning back to the road he smiled. For a moment Harry wondered how he had been so easily convinced to do something so unexpected by a total stranger, and then he realised, for twenty miles of driving, he never even asked her what her name was.
