Highway Hitchhiker

Highway Hitchhiker

A chill runs through Justin body. He turns down the narrow winding road past the graveyard, where a young woman stands.
Her thin figure and odd dress attire cause the young man to stare awkwardly. Motionless for several seconds, Justin rolls down his window. “Where are you headed?”
She smiles nearing the car. “I was attending the Halloween dance,” she replies. “My car is stalling.”
He swallows hard, “Car? There are no cars, but mine.”
Her eyes grow wide. “Look over there!” She points toward the graves, as Justin’s air sticks in his throat.
She is right there is a car in the graveyard, but he surly did not see it moments earlier.
“Can I call somebody?” he asks fear present in his voice.
“Would you mind taking me home?” she questions.
Hesitant of her, Justin slowly nods, and reaches for his medical alert bracelet, sighing heavily.
She gets in looking at him with her pale brown eyes, and face to match her sickly skin tone. “You have health problems?”
Justin brings his lips together, “I have bad lungs,” he says softly. “One is getting fixed. For now, I have tubes in to help keep my breathing stable.”
“Your breathing will improve.” She insists. “I live not to far from here. Just turn off down this next road and you will see a big red house. My father is probably getting worried.”
Nobody is home, and when he turn around his passanger has vanished. Weak and tired Justin returns to his car wishing he could've enjoyed Halloween.

Justin heads toward the hospital where he will spend another night. His breathing is labored, but he is happy for getting away from the confines of his hospital room for a few hours.
He slowly removes his coat and sweatshirt revealing his hospital gown. He lies his head against a pillow, as one of his nurses enters the room.
She asks, "How are you feeling tonight?"
"My throat's so sore from all those tubes," he admits.
"I know the breathing tubes can be brutal on ones throat. I think it's time you got some rest, after your little adventure."
She places the warm blanket over his thin body, as his eyelids droop close.
She slides a mask over his pale face to assist his breathing,"We're going to get you those new lungs as soon as posible,"she tells him soothingly.
Still asleep from medications to give breathing support, Justin’s doctors prepare him for surgery.

Waking from surgery Justin meets his donor with confusion on his face. “I saw you last night.”
“You helped a dying girl last night, Justin, and I owe it all to you. I just wanted to go home and see my family once more. Giving you my lungs is the least I could do. It is time for me to move on, but keep fighting for me, and all those around you.”
His eyelids shut, as he breathes on his own, and drifts off to sleep.