Fresh Meat

P.A Nightmare

Fresh Meat

Trucker- In West Virginia, there's nothing for miles. As a Trucker. It can be pretty lonely traveling alone. So. When the chance for some company came along. I didn't hesitate. After days of traveling with no interaction other than some very disinterested, and not very talkative truckers. I came across a lovely hitchhiker on a cold rainy night. She seemed too young to be homeless, and it broke my heart. So, I took pity on her, and allowed her into the cab of my truck. We're not permitted to pick up hitchhikers, but I said the hell with it! I was in real need of some human interaction, and I couldn't just leave her out there. Pulling the truck over. The young girl opens the door, and gets in.

Hitchhiker- OMG! Thank You So Much! For pulling over, and giving me a ride. I've been walking for days, and no one seems to pick up hitchhikers anymore. I totally blame the movies. Like! Look at me. What could I do to someone? I'm so tired and haven't had a proper meal in days. So. It’s nice to at least be in a warm, dry place, and out of the cold rain.

Trucker- No worries little lady. May I ask. How old you are? You seem far too young to be homeless.

Hitchhiker- I'm eighteen. Right after graduation, my parents kicked me out of the house, and I have no one I can go to. So. Here I am homeless and in the cab with some old guy. Who for all I know wants to kill me, or do some very scary things to me.

Trucker- Woah! Woah! little lady. I just stopped to help. No one forced you in the cab of my truck. If you want out you can just leave now! I just saw that you needed some help, and being that my mamma raised me right. I stopped to assist you.

Hitchhiker- Ashamed the hitchhiker looks at the floor of the truck and quietly says: My name is Ally. I'm sorry if I offended you. Ally continues “ I'm very grateful for the ride, but Do you by chance have anything to eat? Like I said. It has been days since I've last had a real meal.

Trucker- The trucker eyed her then breaks out into a big smile. Well! Ally. It's nice to meet you. No need to be ashamed. I get it. Nowadays you can’t just go around trusting strangers. Now can ya? I'm Dave, and yes! of course. I have some food I can make for you in the back of my truck at the next truck stop.

Ally- Oh! That sounds amazing! Like Thank You so much! How long is it until we get to the truck stop?

Dave- Will not be for another couple of hours. I have a lot more driving to do before we reach the truck stop. If you need something to hold you over in my lunchbox is a bottle of water and a granola bar. Help yourself to em.

Ally- Looking at Dave. Still not fully trusting him decides not to take him up on his offer. Instead, She continues to talk to him. So Dave. You got a wife or kids?

Dave- Actually! Yes. Me and the misses just celebrated 40 years together, and as for the kids. None that live at home with us. They've all grown up, and out of the house. Never been quite the same without them. If you know what I mean.

Ally- That's nice. I really want kids, but I gotta figure this homeless problem out first. Before I can even dream of having a future with someone. What are the names of your wife and kids?

Dave- My wife’s name is Teresa and my boys are Alex, and little Jack. They are my world, and I would do anything for them. Even work this crappy 3rd shift trucker job. The pay isn't bad, nor is the job. But the hours were killer when the kids were growing up. I missed a lot of important moments, and don't get to spend much time with the wife either. If you open the glovebox. My wallet is there, and you can see pictures of my beautiful family.

Ally opens the glovebox and gets Dave's wallet out. As soon as she opens it. She sees many photos of his beautiful wife and amazing children. Ally can’t help herself. She says: One day I hope to have a family just like yours.

Dave and Ally spent the next few hours just laughing and exchanging stories. As Ally grew more comfortable and started to trust Dave. She asked:

Is the offer for the water still good? I am very thirsty.

Dave- Yup! Help yourself to whatever you want. We should be getting to the Truck Stop soon. So you can get some Real Food in your system.

Ally- Thank God! I'm starving. I would literally eat anything at this point. Oh! Is that a truck stop there?

Dave- Oh! Well look at that we were closer than I thought. Alright! looks like its chow time. Well, let me get the truck pulled into a parking space, and do my books. Then we'll eat. Sound good to you?

Ally- Hell Yeah! That sounds amazing! You've been such good company, and I've enjoyed our talk.

Dave- Me too! It's been so long since I've had a great conversation like this. It really has been a pleasure to get to know you. Well Now! If you want we can go back and have a bite to eat?

Ally- That sounds fantastic! Are we going to go into the truck stop to eat? Ally thinking to herself “I've gotten to know him a little better, and he seems nice enough. But do I trust him enough to take food that he offers me”?

Dave- No. No. No need to go in unless you need to use the restroom. My wife always packs a large amount of food, and I've got a hot plate to warm it up. I mean. Just look at that place. I wouldn't trust anything that comes out of that shit hole. Today. My ol' lady packed a nice roast with some potatoes and mixed veggies. Now. Tell me how that sounds?

Ally- Yum! It has been so long. Since I've had home cookin'.

The excitement was clear on her face, and her apprehension and doubt completely vanished. After Dave had finished his books. He exclaimed! “AH! OK, WELL, HOW ABOUT THAT FOOD NOW?”. She got up right after Dave did, and followed him to the back of the truck.

Dave- “There's not a lot of room back here, but I do have a pullout tray table that you can use.”

Getting to work: He turned on the hot plate, and warmed it up. Grabbing a small skillet he went to work warming up the food that had been packed for dinner. By the time Dave was finished warming everything up the truck smelled wonderful. Dave sat down Ally's plate on the tray table, and sat down in the driver's seat. As they ate. Ally noticed this didn't taste or look like beef, but just figured maybe it was a Pork Roast instead. The conversation flowed easily, and she enjoyed her meal. After all was said and done. She was stuffed. Standing up she turned around and stopped as Dave spoke.

Dave- Well. Now that you've helped me empty the last of my old stock. Looks like I will need to replenish it. Now won’t I?

Ally slowly turned around to ask him what he meant, but before she could ask the question. Something hit her hard, and her world was enveloped in darkness. Waking up she had a hard time focusing on her surroundings. She thought she may have a concussion. Minutes later she was finally able to focus on her environment. Only to realize she was upside down in a meat freezer, and her feet were bound by a chain strung up on a meat hook. While her wrists were tied firmly by a rope secured to a concrete slab on the floor. The longer she was conscious, and more she struggled. She felt the blood rushing to her head. It sounded like her heart was in her ears. While attempting to scream. She realized she was unable to properly breathe, and this caused the blood to rush to her head and almost made her blackout several times. The door slowly opens, and Ally once again attempts to scream for help! Only to realize the person who stepped into the freezer was Dave.

Dave- Well Now. Look who's awake. Now. Now. Little lady. There's no need to try, and scream. It will only cause you more pain, and stress. No one likes bitter meat!

Ally responds in a rough whisper: Why are you doing this, please let me go!

Dave laughs harshly: We both know my dear. That won't be happening. Even if. I was inclined to do so. You would just run to the cops, and we can’t have that. Now can we?

Ally begins to cry. Please! Dave. What would your family think? Just let me go! I promise I won’t tell anyone! Why are you doing this to me!? You treated me so well. I-I would be willing to help you. Lure more people here. If you spare me. Please!

Dave bends down: I don’t think that is in the cards for you little lady, and after all. You really enjoyed that roast! Didn't you? Well. Let me tell ya what that was. That was the last feller I gave a ride to. You enjoyed them! Only fair you take their place. And. As for my family. You actually think them pictures were my kin!? It’s all an act. This here! Is my family. We built this truck stop. We've been livin' in these parts fer ages. This is a family tradition. When our young come of age, and our Paw takes us out on a hunting trip to bag us a long pig. Right after Dave is finished speaking: Ally sees a shadow come up from behind her. Dave speaks again: And you’re in luck little lady. My boy just come of age, and is going to bag his first kill. Ally fills a tug on the back of her head, and the sting of cold steel across her throat. She feels a brief pain, and hears the gurgling of her windpipe as she fades into the dark void of emptiness.