The sun had almost completely disappeared at this point, and we had no light but for the ones on our phones.
Several more cars passed us in the next hour, but none stopped.
“I have no faith in humanity,” Willow growled, letting her arms fall as yet another car passed.
I shrugged and continued walking. “Most people are too scared to help a stranger.”
“Do we really look that scary?” She countered.
“People don’t like the unknown.”
“Fuck the unknown!” She yelled up at the night sky. “It’s there for a reason so you can discover something great! Without the unknown life would be a stale cheese goldfish cracker!”
I snorted. “Willow that might be the single greatest thing you’ve ever said.”
“I’m too mad to accept a compliment at the moment.” She quickened her strides and passed me.
“When do you think you’ll be open to compliments?” I switched the guitar case to my other hand.
“Never.”
I chuckled just as a pair of headlights lit us up from behind.
Willow straightened at the light cast, but didn’t try to flag them down like she had been. I knew it wasn’t that she’d given up—Willow didn’t give up—but that she was too mad to care at the moment.
Luckily, for her, or the both of us really, this person stopped without any action on our part.
Dirt billowed around us from the tires as the car pulled off the road.
I stopped and waited for the person to make the first move.
A window rolled down and a voice called out, “You guys need a ride?”
“Yes!” Willow cried, running past me and towards the SUV that was pulling a camper. “We would love a ride. Thank you so much!”
“Not so fast.” I grabbed her arm when I reached the car window. I wanted to check these people out before we hopped in a car with them.
“Hey, I’m Chase.” The guy in the driver’s seat smiled and lifted his hand in a half wave.
“Alyssa.” The blonde in the passenger seat that called out to us said. “And this is Alexis and Jacob.” She pointed to the two people in the back seat. “Where are you guys headed?”
“Malibu,” Willow replied instantly.
“Our car broke down,” I told them, “we’re trying to find a place to stay for the night until I can get what I need to fix my car.”
Chase pointed straight ahead. “We’re headed to a camping site about ten miles from here. There’s not enough room in the camper for another couple, but we have tents if you guys don’t mind roughing it for a night. We’d be happy to take you to get what you need in the morning and back to your car.”
“You guys are life savers!” Willow cried. “I love you!”
“Thank you,” I told them, meaning those two words immensely. “This means a lot.”
“Sure thing.” Chase tipped his head in my direction. “Get in.”
The back door opened and Alexis and Jacob made room for us to crawl in and to the third row of seats.
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Once we were seated Chase pulled back onto the road and headed in the direction of the campsite.