iRunStories / Season 1, Episode 6
Carpool
The Honda died somewhere on Highway 191, thirty miles from the nearest town in either direction. Marcus Turner stood on the shoulder, staring at the engine like he could will it back to life. Steam rose from the radiator. The check engine light had been flashing for a week—he'd ignored it, too broke to afford a mechanic. Now he was paying for that decision. He checked his phone: no signal. Of course. Middle of nowhere Utah, surrounded by red rock and scrubland and absolutely nothing else. He'd been heading to Phoenix for a job interview. His first real chance in months. And now... Headlights appeared on the horizon. Marcus stepped into the road, waving his arms. The car slowed—an older station wagon, wood paneling, the kind you'd see in an '80s family movie. The driver rolled down her window. A woman in her fifties, kind face, graying hair pulled back in a bun. Motherly. "Car trouble, honey?" "Yes ma'am. Engine's shot. Is there any chance you're heading toward Phoenix?" She smiled warmly. "We're heading south. Hop in, we'll get you where you need to go." Marcus hesitated—his mother had always warned him about getting into cars with strangers—but what choice did he have? "Thank you so much. You're a lifesaver." He opened the back door and slid in. Only then...