[ WP ] Write a road trip story from three perspectives . The driver , the hitchhiker , and the person tied up in the trunk .

**Jerry** 
 
 I walked down the road, sweat dripping down my forehead, stinging my eyes. I wanted to wipe it away, but the sand stuck to my arms would surely make things worse. So I just walked on, down a road that stretched forever, in a heat that grew hotter every moment. I had half a bottle of water left, and I knew I was n't going to last long if someone did n't come by soon. I could only hope that someone would eventually drive by. 
 
 And just like that, a car approached. I stuck my thumb out to the side, praying they would stop. I was genuinely surprised when they did. 
 
 `` Way too hot to leave you on the side of the road like this,'' the man said, as I heard the doors unlock. 
 
 `` Thank you so much,'' I said. `` I've been out here for far too long. I just need a ride to the next town.'' 
 
 The man nodded and motioned me into the car, and I sank into the hot leather seat. The cold air coming from the vents was a godsend; and he even offered me a bottle of water. I had finally caught a break, after everything went so wrong the last few days. 
 
 `` So whats your name?'' The driver asked. `` I'm Steve.'' 
 
 `` Nice to meet you, Steve,'' I replied. `` I'm Jerry.'' 
 
 `` Whats your story, Jerry? What are you doing wandering around in the desert?'' 
 
 `` Well, its kind of a long story. But I guess it started a few days ago when --'' 
 
 *THUD*. 
 
 `` -- what the hell was that?'' I turned and looked to the back seat, half expecting to find someone there. With another *thud*, the seat folded down, and a man came rolling out, hands tied behind his back, and a bag over his head. 
 
 `` What the fuck --'' I yelled, as the man kicked the back of the driver's seat, causing Steve to jerk the wheel to the side. The man fell to the floorboards, and the car flew off the road. Steve's head hit the window during the jerk, knocking him out; and the car was speeding towards a boulder. 
 
 I had no time to react before the car crashed, sending me through the windshield. 
 
 -- -- -- 
 
 **Steve** 
 
 `` Just get it done, Steve,'' an angry voice rattled through the payphone receiver. 
 
 `` Whatever you say, boss.'' I slammed the phone down, and stepped out of the phone booth. With this heat, it was like an oven in that thing. I could already feel my skin tightening from the sunburn. I glanced around, seeing no traffic in either direction. The diner behind me looked like it had been closed for years; its a small wonder the payphone still worked. I walked back to the car, and popped open the trunk. 
 
 I pulled the bag off of the man's face, and splashed some water on his face. He woke up and started struggling, his hands and feet tied. 
 
 `` Oh, stop that,'' I instructed him. `` You are n't going anywhere. Just drink some water, I cant have you dying on me before we get there.'' 
 
 I ripped the tape off of his mouth, and placed the water bottle to his lips. He drank it eagerly, and after about half the bottle, I took it back. 
 
 `` Please, let me go,'' he pleaded. I taped his mouth shut, replaced the bag on his head, and continued on the road. I hated these long trips. 
 
 The radio in the car was broken, so I found myself nearly dozing off. Luckily, after about twenty miles, I came across a hitchhiker. I knew it was risky, but I was desperate for some kind of interaction; and if he found out, I'd just kill him. 
 
 The next thing I knew, my head was pounding, and I was laying in the hot sand, watching vultures circle in the sky above me. I tried to sit up, but a pain shot through my ribs and stomach. *What the hell happened*? 
 
 I turned my head to the left, and saw my car, crashed into a massive boulder. The hitchhiker I picked up was lying on the boulder, bits of glass sticking out of his head. His blood was staining the sand. 
 
 Something moved to my right. My neck hurt as I twisted my head from one side to the other, and I let out a whimper. 
 
 `` Finally awake, are we?'' a voice called out. After a moment, the man stepped into my field of vision, kneeling at my side. 
 
 `` You sure are in bad shape,'' he said, shaking his head. `` But at least you were wearing your seat belt. If it wasnt for that, I might not be able to have this little conversation with you.'' 
 
 I tried to sit up again, but this time the pain was so great I yelled out in agony. `` What is going on?'' I asked, shaking. 
 
 `` I'll ask the questions, if you do n't mind.'' he was remarkably calm, for a guy that had just been stuffed in a trunk for several hours. 
 
 `` Why did you take me?'' he asked. 
 
 `` I... I was told...'' I coughed. Every word felt like needles in my throat. 
 
 `` Told *what*?'' he was getting angry. 
 
 ``... told to take you. I... dont ask questions.'' The world started spinning around me. `` I... dont think I'm going to... make...'' I coughed again, spewing blood into the sand. 
 
 `` Useless,'' the man said under his breath, as he stood and turned away. 
 
 `` Please,'' I pleaded, as the world went dark. 
 
 -- -- - 
 
 **Brian** 
 
 `` Useless,'' I said, turning to walk away. The man seemed to mutter something as he died, but I had no interest in what he had to say. 
 
 I looked down at the small black book I had taken from his pocket. I knew there had to be some kind of information in it; who this man was, who he worked for. If I could find out who ordered him to take me, I would find out why. So I walked back to the road, hoping to be picked up by a passerby. 
 
 I walked for miles, covered in sand, and sweating like never before. I had only taken a few bottles of water with me from the car; I did n't think it was going to take this long to find someone to pick me up. 
 
 Finally, just as I was ready to give up hope, I saw a car approaching. It stopped next to me, and the driver leaned over to open the passenger door. 
 
 `` You look like you could use a ride,'' he said, his voice low and comforting. `` Here, have some water.'' He handed me a half-full bottle. 
 
 `` You have no idea,'' I said, eagerly grabbing the bottle. I sat down in the car, and let out a long, deep exhale. I could finally relax. 
 
 `` So, where you headed, Brian?'' the man asked. 
 
 `` First town is fine. I just need...'' A shiver went down my spine. `` How do you know my name?'' 
 
 He stared at the road in silence, a crooked smile on his face. 
 
 `` You did n't think I'd trust Steve to get the job done on his own, did you?'' 
 
 `` Why me?'' I asked, defeated. 
 
 `` Because you looked like you'd put up a fight.'' He said, in a chillingly calm tone. 
 
 `` A fight?'' I felt myself getting tired. `` The water... something... in it...'' I felt myself drifting into sleep. 
 
 `` Yeah, I like a challenge from time to time. Now relax,'' the man said, finally glancing in my direction. His crooked smile sent a chill throughout my body. 
 
 `` We're going to have some fun when we get home,'' He said, as I drifted into a deep slumber. 
 
 

