Would You Pull Over? "The Helpful Hitchhiker" – A Chilling Roadside Mystery

0:00 Speaker 1: Doorway to Nightmare is brought to you in part by Swanage Press. It lies in wait amidst your dreams, where nothing is ever how it seems. It is a portal to a terrifying world beyond the doorway. Nightmare. Come in. Welcome. I'm Artemis Black. Confucius once said that roads were made for journeys. Not destinations. And while your journey may be different from mine, we will wind up at the same destination. Eventually.

1:11 Speaker 2: I'm only telling you what we saw, Hank.

1:13 Speaker 3: And I'm telling you, I picked up Sam Preston on the highway not more than an hour ago.

1:19 Speaker 4: Maybe... maybe you heard the name wrong. Are you sure it was Sam Preston?

1:27 Speaker 3: What's got into the two of you? I told you, he was standing in the rain, hitchhiking. I wasn't gonna let some old guy stand in the rain.

1:35 Speaker 2: And he told you his name was Sam Preston?

1:38 Speaker 3: For crying out loud. How many times I gotta tell you, huh? He told me his name was Sam Preston. Why do you keep asking me that?

1:47 Speaker 4: Because, Hank, Sam Preston is dead. has been for over a year now.

1:59 Speaker 1: Our mystery drama, The Helpful Hitchhiker, was written by John Allen and adapted especially for Doorway to Nightmare by Winslow Swan and edited by Crimson McKenzie. Our stars include Darren Marler, Mick Davis, Raven Adams, Dave Arkapov, and Annie Mick. I'll return shortly. with Act One.

2:23 Speaker 5: This is Winslow Swan, inviting you inside the world of my imagination, a world of mystery, madness, and murder. Ten Tales from the Maelstrom, now available at Amazon.com.

3:01 Speaker 1: Douglas Tompkins wrote, For those of us, those that have the desire to explore the world unknown, that grew up going out into the wilds of the world, we got into our souls a sense of beauty. However, as is so true with our productions and stories, The unknown can be quite ominous.

3:33 Speaker 2: Just sit anywhere.

3:34 Speaker 4: We ain't very busy, as you can see.

3:38 Speaker 3: Actually, I'm just looking for a phone.

3:41 Speaker 4: Here you go, honey.

3:42 Speaker 2: Use this one.

3:44 Speaker 4: You want a cup of coffee?

3:45 Speaker 3: Now that would be wonderful.

3:47 Speaker 2: Are you driving that big rig?

3:48 Speaker 1: Yeah.

3:50 Speaker 3: Yeah. Hand in this storm.

3:53 Speaker 6: Cream?

3:54 Speaker 5: Sugar?

3:55 Speaker 3: No, thanks. I'll take it black.

4:01 Speaker 4: You look like you could use that. Or something harder.

4:05 Speaker 3: Oh, I look that bad, huh? Nah, right now coffee is just fine.

4:09 Speaker 2: My name's Grant. Grant Perkins. This is my sometimes waitress, Wanda.

4:14 Speaker 6: Grant.

4:16 Speaker 4: Kiss my grits. Pleased to meet you.

4:19 Speaker 3: Nice to meet you. I'm Hank. Hank Adams.

4:24 Speaker 6: Dispatch, give me your driver number.

4:26 Speaker 3: Connor, you know who this is. We do this every time. Why do you always ask me that?

4:31 Speaker 6: Regulations, Hank. You know that. Now give me your number.

4:34 Speaker 3: Yeah, alright, fine. Okay, whatever. Driver number 814. Hampton Run.

4:39 Speaker 6: Thank you, driver. Now what seems to be the problem?

4:42 Speaker 3: Um, you can let Hampton know. I'm gonna be about five hours late.

4:48 Speaker 6: Hank, are you kidding? Please tell me that you're kidding.

4:51 Speaker 3: Connor, I'm tired. Very tired. There was a landslide, and I am stuck. I can't go forward at all. My truck- Can you go around?

4:59 Speaker 6: I mean, what sort of driver are you?

5:01 Speaker 3: I'm gonna let that one slide and promise myself I won't lose my temper, Connor. As I was saying, there was a landslide, and it won't be cleared until morning.

5:13 Speaker 6: You know, I always knew that you weren't the hotshot driver everyone said you were.

5:20 Speaker 3: Dammit, Connor. I'm carrying over 20 tons of gasoline. The storm I have been driving through has not made that any easier.

5:28 Speaker 6: You should have found a way to get around.

5:30 Speaker 3: Oh, yeah. That's sweet coming from a phone jockey. You know, I'd love to see you get around two tons of rocks and trees blocking the road. You know, you're lucky, Connor. I was going slow enough to see it before running into it.

5:41 Speaker 6: We need that load in Hampton. Now!

5:44 Speaker 3: Connor, why don't you... you....

5:51 Speaker 6: Hey, Hank.

5:52 Speaker 4: You doing okay?

5:54 Speaker 1: No, Wanda.

5:55 Speaker 3: I'm not. I might need that little extra in my coffee after all.

5:59 Speaker 2: Did I hear you correctly? There was a landslide?

6:02 Speaker 3: Yeah, a big one. You know, if I'd been going my regular speed around that hairpin turn, I'd look like one of those hamburgers you put on the grill. Probably bloodier. You know, if it hadn't been for that nice guy Sam Preston, you guys would be seeing a huge explosion with me burning right in the middle of it.

6:23 Speaker 2: Did you just say Sam Preston?

6:25 Speaker 4: Grant?

6:27 Speaker 2: Um, what about this Sam Preston?

6:33 Speaker 3: Well, a few miles ago, I saw this guy hitchhiking. Now, we got orders at the company to never pick up anyone on the road. I understand. I mean, you never know, right? It could be a hijacker, a burglar, an escaped prisoner. You never know, right? But when I saw that it was an older guy, well... I just couldn't let him stand out there in the rain, right? I couldn't do that.

7:11 Speaker 7: Hey, thanks for picking me up.

7:12 Speaker 3: Eh, no problem. This is a heck of a storm for this time of year.

7:18 Speaker 7: You been driving a truck long?

7:20 Speaker 3: Almost ten years now. Only a couple of months with this current company, though. We moved, so I had to sign on with this rig.

7:28 Speaker 7: Did your kids like the move?

7:30 Speaker 1: Oh, yeah.

7:31 Speaker 3: They love new adventures. Wait, did I tell you I had kids?

7:37 Speaker 8: Truck driving has changed a lot in the past few years. I used to do long hauls when I was driving.

7:42 Speaker 3: Yeah, it can be pretty stressful at times, that's for sure. I gotta admit, I'm driving a little over my limit tonight, but... I'm looking for a diner. I am desperately needing some coffee.

7:54 Speaker 8: My stop's right up here, if you don't mind. And there's a diner a couple of miles down the road.

8:01 Speaker 3: Hey, I appreciate it.

8:01 Speaker 1: Thanks.

8:02 Speaker 7: But be careful. There's a hairpin turn. The curve isn't too bad, but there might be a rock slide. Just take it easy. You should be okay.

8:12 Speaker 6: Okay.

8:21 Speaker 3: Thanks again. Um, I didn't catch your name. Sam.

8:30 Speaker 7: Sam Preston. And thanks to you, Hank.

8:34 Speaker 3: Nice to meet you too, Sam. Wait a minute. Did I even tell him my name was Hank? Weird. You know, it's funny. I don't remember telling him my name or anything about my kids.

9:01 Speaker 4: And you're positive he said his name was Sam Preston?

9:05 Speaker 3: Hey, how many times I gotta tell you guys? His name was Sam Preston. That's what he said. He used to be a truck driver. I don't understand. What's so strange about that?

9:14 Speaker 1: Yeah.

9:16 Speaker 9: About two years ago. He was coming down that mountain when he was caught in a rock slide. Just about where yours is now.

9:25 Speaker 1: Uh.

9:26 Speaker 2: He was killed.

9:35 Speaker 1: And you would think that would be the end of our story. Ah, but you have entered into another world of possibilities. Of things that go bump in the night. I can assure you that this is only the beginning of our little tale... Join me shortly, won't you, for Act Two.

10:02 Speaker 3: It is in all of us.

10:04 Speaker 4: Waiting.

10:05 Speaker 5: Watching.

10:07 Speaker 1: Growing.

10:09 Speaker 10: Evil Within, by Winslow Swan.

10:12 Speaker 7: Now available on Amazon.

10:30 Speaker 1: The author Neil Gaiman wrote, There is a madness, yes.

10:35 Speaker 5: This is true.

10:36 Speaker 1: A few mortals possess it. The willingness to step away from the protection of sanity. To walk into the wild wood of madness.

10:52 Speaker 3: Well, well, well.

10:53 Speaker 10: If it isn't Superman himself. Or you Clark Kent today.

10:57 Speaker 3: Just keep it up, Connor.

11:00 Speaker 10: You should be happy to know that I managed to save your job for you.

11:03 Speaker 3: You saved my job? What the hell does that mean?

11:07 Speaker 11: Well, you were five hours late with that load the other night, weren't you?

11:12 Speaker 3: I told you there was a rock slide. Weren't you listening? I couldn't have helped it. Hey, we're lucky they cleared it away when they did. Otherwise, I'd still be stuck.

11:35 Speaker 11: I got a report here that says different. My witness tells me that there was plenty of room for your rig to go around.

11:42 Speaker 3: Let me see that. Who the hell is Walker Prentiss?

11:49 Speaker 11: Oh, he stopped by that diner you called from. He surveyed the so-called rock slide and didn't see any reason why you should have not been able to get around.

11:59 Speaker 3: Connor, I have met some real lowlifes while trucking, but this... this.

12:04 Speaker 11: Like I said, I managed to save your job.

12:07 Speaker 10: You don't have to thank me.

12:09 Speaker 3: You... you are one dirty, lying son of a.

12:12 Speaker 10: But I do need you to make the Hampton run again. Tonight.

12:17 Speaker 3: Tonight?

12:18 Speaker 1: No.

12:19 Speaker 3: I got my son's Little League game tonight. Plus, I just got back.

12:23 Speaker 10: Aw, that's a shame. Looks like you're going to have to... miss the little guy striking out. Like his old man.

12:33 Speaker 3: Connor, you got 32 teeth right now. How'd you like for me to knock that down to 8?

12:38 Speaker 11: You could always turn the run down. But then, I can't guarantee that you'll get another one.

12:46 Speaker 3: Fine.

12:48 Speaker 10: Oh, and be careful.

12:51 Speaker 11: I heard there's another storm headed that way. Wouldn't want you to get stuck with another rock slide.

12:59 Speaker 3: You're going to regret this someday, Connor. Hey, what do you know?

13:34 Speaker 7: Thanks for picking me up.

13:56 Speaker 3: Oh, come on. Don't tell me you don't remember me. Hank? Hank Adams? I picked you up the other night?

14:01 Speaker 7: I'm Sam Preston.

14:02 Speaker 3: Oh, come on, Sam. I know that. That diner you told me about? The one down the road? They must think I am pretty dumb.

14:11 Speaker 7: Why do you say that?

14:13 Speaker 3: They told me. You want to know what they told me? They said that you were a truck driver, and that about two years ago, you were killed in a wreck. Ha ha ha. Ain't that a laugh?

14:25 Speaker 1: Ha ha ha.

14:26 Speaker 8: But I was, Hank.

14:29 Speaker 7: I was murdered.

14:36 Speaker 3: What do you mean, murdered?

14:39 Speaker 7: Ever hear of a guy named Connor West?

14:41 Speaker 3: Yeah, he's that son of a mother dispatcher at the company I just signed on with.

14:47 Speaker 7: Surprise, surprise. I was supposed to be the dispatcher then. I was supposed....

14:55 Speaker 10: Supposed to.

14:57 Speaker 1: Sam?

14:59 Speaker 3: You okay?

15:01 Speaker 7: Find out, Hank. You find out what happened.

15:05 Speaker 3: Ah, jeez! Where did he go? Sam? Where'd you go?

15:28 Speaker 3: All right, Connor. What do you know about a guy named Sam Preston?

15:33 Speaker 10: How do you know that name?

15:35 Speaker 3: Just answer the question for crying out loud. Who was Sam Preston?

15:42 Speaker 10: Sam was a great guy. Hell of a trucker, too. Used to make that same run that you've been doing. Got killed in an accident.

15:50 Speaker 1: Yeah?

15:51 Speaker 3: What kind of a accident?

15:53 Speaker 10: Why do you got to say it like that?

15:56 Speaker 3: Just tell me what happened.

15:58 Speaker 10: Nothing happened. He got called in to do that run. He called me to get his truck looked over while it came in, and I did that.

16:06 Speaker 3: What of it? Wasn't he supposed to get the job you now have?

16:09 Speaker 10: Well, yeah, we were both up for the job.

16:12 Speaker 3: But he got himself conveniently killed, didn't he? Or maybe... murdered.

16:19 Speaker 10: I swear, if you ever, ever say that to me.

16:25 Speaker 3: Anyone, I'll... I'll... You'll do what?

16:34 Speaker 10: I'll kill you with my bare hands.

16:41 Speaker 1: Thomas Otway wrote, Revenge, the attribute of gods. They stamped it with their great image on our natures. I shall return with our final act shortly.

16:59 Speaker 5: There, underneath your bed, there is some thing, and it's waiting, waiting for another story. No one is afraid of monsters anymore, and other stories to read to the thing under the bed by Winslow Swan. Paperback editions available at Amazon.com. Audiobook edition available at Spotify. Eight terrifying tales for you to enjoy and to read to the thing under your bed. Get it before the thing gets you.

17:56 Speaker 1: Pierre Cornille once said, to take revenge half-heartedly is to court disaster. Either condemn or crown your hatred.

18:12 Speaker 10: I don't understand why I had to come along.

18:15 Speaker 3: Ah, you heard the district manager. I'm being haunted tonight, which means you, my dispatcher, have to ride along with me.

18:24 Speaker 10: Well, I had tickets to the game tonight.

18:27 Speaker 3: Oh, I guess you're just going to have to miss your favorite player striking.

18:30 Speaker 1: Out, huh?

18:31 Speaker 10: Yeah, it ain't so funny.

18:34 Speaker 3: Hey, it could have been worse. You could have had a kid in a Little League game.

18:37 Speaker 10: You watch the road.

18:38 Speaker 3: What's the matter, Connor? I thought you were a trucker. What, are you scared of a little bit of rain?

18:44 Speaker 10: Just keep your eyes open, will ya? Hey, wait a minute. I thought we were taking Route 92 tonight.

18:51 Speaker 3: Uh, this is Hampton Run, Connor, remember? We always take the 101. What, you got a problem?

18:57 Speaker 6: Who, me?

18:59 Speaker 10: No, I got no problem. It's just that, well.

19:04 Speaker 3: Oh, I get it. Yeah, this is that road that Sam Preston got killed on, right?

19:15 Speaker 10: I wasn't even thinking about Sam Preston.

19:17 Speaker 1: Really?

19:19 Speaker 3: Well, then who is that on the side of the road?

19:22 Speaker 10: It's just a hitchhiker. You know we got orders to never pick them up.

19:26 Speaker 3: Hey, I just pointed him out. I didn't say I was going to pick him up.

19:29 Speaker 10: Are you telling me that you think it was.

19:34 Speaker 6: Oh, that's too rich. I already told you.

19:36 Speaker 10: Sam Preston is dead.

19:38 Speaker 3: Then who is that up ahead?

19:41 Speaker 6: What?

19:42 Speaker 10: Hey, it's another hitchhiker.

19:44 Speaker 3: Another one? Or the same one?

19:51 Speaker 10: Now, how could it be on the same.

19:53 Speaker 6: Hey, what's going on?

19:55 Speaker 3: I'll be. Hey, look up there. Another hitchhiker.

19:59 Speaker 10: Hank, keep driving.

20:00 Speaker 6: Faster.

20:01 Speaker 3: You idiot. We're on a downgrade. I can't go any faster. Unless you want to join Sam Preston in the afterlife.

20:07 Speaker 6: Look. Up ahead.

20:10 Speaker 3: It's... it is Sam Preston.

20:13 Speaker 9: But.

20:14 Speaker 10: he's dead.

20:16 Speaker 6: Am I, Connor?

20:18 Speaker 7: Am I really.

20:20 Speaker 3: dead?

20:22 Speaker 10: What's going on?

20:24 Speaker 6: Did you kill me, Connor?

20:27 Speaker 3: Am I dead? Dead?

20:30 Speaker 6: Dead?

20:32 Speaker 3: Connor, you damn fool! Let go of the wheel!

20:35 Speaker 2: Don't you see him?

20:36 Speaker 7: It's Sam Preston.

20:37 Speaker 10: He's in the middle of the road.

20:39 Speaker 3: Let go of the wheel!

20:40 Speaker 1: Give it back!

20:41 Speaker 3: Let go! Hey, it's a rock slide!

20:44 Speaker 7: Watch out!

21:05 Speaker 9: Hank?

21:06 Speaker 6: Hank?

21:07 Speaker 3: What's going on? Sam, is that you? Am I... Not yet.

21:13 Speaker 7: I've only got a minute. I just wanted to thank you.

21:19 Speaker 3: Where's Connor?

21:21 Speaker 7: Oh, he's got an appointment to keep somewhere else.

21:25 Speaker 10: You're going to be okay, Hank.

21:27 Speaker 7: That dispatcher job will be waiting on you. No more long hauls.

21:31 Speaker 3: Huh? What are you talking about, Sam?

21:35 Speaker 7: I gotta go. Don't worry, Hank. Everything is going to be okay. Hank!

21:48 Speaker 2: Come on, buddy!

21:49 Speaker 4: Hank! Ambulance should be here any minute. Is he?

21:54 Speaker 3: Nah, he's okay.

21:56 Speaker 2: Look, not a scratch on him.

21:58 Speaker 4: It's a miracle, Grant.

22:01 Speaker 5: What?

22:03 Speaker 3: What's going on?

22:03 Speaker 6: Geez.

22:05 Speaker 2: You scared the living. Well, at least you're okay.

22:11 Speaker 3: What happened?

22:12 Speaker 4: Don't you know?

22:13 Speaker 3: I was driving and that maniac Connor grabbed the wheel. Hey, where is he anyway?

22:18 Speaker 1: Is he okay?

22:19 Speaker 9: If he was in that truck, then there isn't anything left of him. Burned to a crisp.

22:25 Speaker 3: But how did I get out of the truck?

22:27 Speaker 4: I don't... We saw you jump out of the passenger side of the truck.

22:32 Speaker 3: That can't be, Wanda. I... I was in the driver's seat.

22:37 Speaker 4: I'm telling you, Hank, Grant and I saw.

22:40 Speaker 2: Hey, who is that up the road?

22:44 Speaker 4: No, it can't be.

22:47 Speaker 2: Look, it is. It's... holy.

22:50 Speaker 9: it's Sam Preston.

22:55 Speaker 4: And he's... waving at us.

22:59 Speaker 6: Huh.

23:00 Speaker 3: I guess he finally got what he wanted. Nice meeting you, Sam. And thanks.

23:12 Speaker 1: And as the three watch the ghostly figure of Sam Preston fade into the night, we will watch for a final word shortly.

23:25 Speaker 10: If you'd like to support us, visit our merchandise store.

23:29 Speaker 7: T-shirts, caps, mugs, and so much more. Visit doorwaytonightmare.com.

23:54 Speaker 1: If an injury has to be done to a man, it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared, said Machiavelli. But then another quote comes to mind. There is nothing against you unless the dead can come to life. Our cast included Raven Adams, Mick Davis, Darren Marler, Dave Arkapov, and Annie Mick. The story was edited by Crimson McKenzie, written by John Allen, and adapted and directed by Winslow Swann. And now, a preview of our next tale.

24:44 Speaker 6: What happened that night?

24:46 Speaker 5: There was another figure in the room, in the darkness, waiting. When your father came in to help me, that figure leaped out and stabbed him in the back.

25:01 Speaker 10: And did you see who it was?

25:04 Speaker 1: Yes, I did.

25:05 Speaker 5: And I ran away.

25:07 Speaker 6: I was.

25:09 Speaker 5: Caught and convicted for the murder of your father, Joe. Ten years ago. Which is why I have come back. From the grave.

25:29 Speaker 1: Doorway to Nightmare is brought to you in part by Swanage Press. This is Artemis Black, inviting you to return with us through the doorway to nightmare for another adventure into the world of your own terrifying imagination. Until next time, slumber peacefully.

25:55 Speaker 5: Epilogue.

25:56 Speaker 3: The butler did it.