A local

“Hey there missy,” an Appalachian voice called out to her, “Need a ride?”

Madison peered past the bright car headlights to see her savior. He looked like a total redneck. The man drove an old beaten-up truck plastered with conservative bumper stickers. After exiting the truck, the redneck slammed his car door shut violently. With a loud creaking sound, the door slowly opened up again. He slammed it again and again until it finally stayed put. Her redneck savior was dressed in a huge puffy jacket, old worn-down jeans, and heavy winter boots. A camo baseball cap rested atop his head. The man was middle-aged and looking past his impressive beard, rather ugly. Madison felt a bit uncomfortable at the sight of him. She hadn’t interacted with rural folk before and based her opinions solely off of popular conceptions. But unlike everyone else, he had actually stopped to help. He must be a good person!

“Oh My God, thank-you so much. My phone died, my car died, I just- I don’t know what to do!”

The redneck nodded along to her story and approached her broken down vehicle. He performed a quick inspection. Lifting the hood released a plume of thick smoke. The redneck waved it away from his face and whistled loudly.

He backed away from the car and sighed, “Ma’am, sorry but your vehicle is toast.”

“Fuckkk,” Madison groaned, “But I have to get to work.”

“You won’t be gettin’ anywhere in that deathtrap.”

Madison anxiously ran her hands through her hair.

“Shit. Ok. Gotta call a tow truck then. Can I borrow your phone?”

“Sorry again ma’am,” the redneck shook his head, “But you ain’t gettin a tow out in these parts right now.”

“What? Why not?”

“Storm’s a-comin.”

The redneck pointed toward thick gray clouds coming in from the west.

“Radio said prolly two feet, believe that? It's the end times I swear.”

Madison began to panic. The weather report this morning had said nothing about a blizzard. Waiting with her car would be a **** sentence. She definitely didn’t have the right clothes for the coming weather. Madison needed to find shelter quickly.

“Please. Give me a ride somewhere- to a hotel, motel, anything. It can be literally the next town away. I'm not picky. Please, I can’t stay out here.”

Thinking it over in silence for a few moments, the redneck stroked his chin. He looked over to her car. Then back to his truck. Then his eyes lingered on Madison. His gaze sent a shiver up her spine.

A smile spread across his face.

“Hop in.”

-

“This storm really came out of nowhere, huh?”

“Yep.”

Madison’s poor attempt at small talk fell upon deaf ears. They had been driving for five or so minutes in complete silence. The awkwardness of the trip was exacerbated by the fact that the truck only had two seats. In such close proximity, Madison felt like it was weirder to not say anything at all.

“Sooo,” she continued, “Where are we headed again?”

The redneck, who she had learned was named Buck, seemed annoyed.

“My hometown.”

“Is there a hotel there orrr…”

“Don’t worry little lady. We got the best hotel in the county.”

Not wanting to seem ungrateful, Madison withheld further questions even though she had a million. She decided to turn the conversation elsewhere, get to know her unlikely savior a little better.

“Y’know, I don’t spend much time in the country. It’s so pretty here. Glad I’ll have a chance to explore a little.”

“A city girl, huh?” Buck laughed, “Not a big surprise there.”

Madison nervously laughed along with him.

“What gave it away?”

“Well,” Buck took a breath, “Between not knowing how to deal with a broken-down car and the way you’re dressed- I’d say it was your trustin’ nature.”

“Trusting nature?”

“Countryside has been gettin’ a bit more dangerous these days. Not very many women would be willin’ to take a stranger’s help.”

Once again, Madison laughed anxiously, thinking it was just a badly delivered joke. In the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the approaching storm, practically on top of them at this point. Small snowflakes had begun to fall.

“Thank-you again, for picking me up. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

Buck smiled.

“Happy to help, ma’am. Although-”

The redneck paused for a moment, seemingly unsure.

“Although… what?” Madison pressed.

Buck scratched anxiously at the back of his head.

“Gas is gettin’ a bit expensive these days, what with Brandon raisin’ them prices to fund his commie agenda and all, so any chance you can throw a few extra bucks my way?”

“Money?” Madison processed his request, “Oh! Yeah of course. Give me a sec-”

But upon searching for her purse, Madison came to a terrifying realization. She had left it in her now-abandoned car.

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

Buck looked at her with great concern.

“Is there a problem?”

“I left my purse back at the car. Any chance we can turn back and-”

“Hell no,” Buck shook his head, “Not back into that storm.”

“Well, then maybe I can pay you later on-”

The redneck’s friendly demeanor disappeared, replaced by anger.

“You think I’m stupid, huh? That I’ll fall for that?”

“What? No-no-no, I promise I-”

“A promise ain’t worth shit from a stranger. If you want me to keep driving, I’m gonna need some kinda payment. Now.”