Another traveller, better prepared than her

Several more hours of walking had passed. The decision to strip was making the desert heat much more bearable than before, but Clara's bravado had long since turned to worry. She was alone now, but eventually she was bound to see civilization, and civilization was going to see all of her. The only clothes to her name were miles in the wrong direction, but the thought crossed her mind to turn around and get at least one outfit back.

The sun was beginning to set, and the temperature starting to drop. Clara felt a chill run down her bare back, as the beads of sweat turned cool in the evening air. She started off the road, preparing to set up her tent for a night, when she saw headlights coming her way.

"Thank fucking god," Clara sighed. She picked up her bag, running back to the road to wave down her potential savior.

The van's lights washed over Clara's nude body as it slowed to a stop near her, the driver rolled down their window. A woman poked out her head, she seemed unable to believe the scene that was laid out before her.

"Hell, this ain't something you see every day, least of all in the middle of the desert. You lost or something? Need a ride?" The woman asked, her eyes panning over Clara.

She appeared to be in her early 30's, with dark brown hair, cut short save for a pair of braids extending from behind each ear.

Clara was grateful to say the least, it was some comfort to be picked up by another travelling woman.

"Yeah, I'd love a ride, as far as you're willing to take me," Clara spoke, approaching the driver's window."Maybe some uh, clothes too, if it isn't too much to ask."

"What happened to yours? If you don't mind me asking, anyway. Can't imagine you've been out here like this the whole time without someone trying to take a cute butt like that along," The driver replied.

"I uh, I tossed them in a ditch, earlier. It was hot, and I was thinking maybe it might be more tempting to stop for a hitchhiker if she's showing off a bit more skin. I had another outfit too, but tossed it out at the same time, that was to lighten the load a bit."

The driver laughed, "Holy shit! Alright miss nudist, I'll make sure your little gamble pays off then, I'm driving to the coast, so you can come the whole way if you like. Hate to disappoint though, what I'm wearing is all the clothes I've got to my name, and I'm not sharing a single stitch. Still want to tag along?"

Clara looked at the road behind her, and to the road ahead. Before this trip, she had prepared her best two travel outfits, along with the most comfortable undergarments she had for the long journey. The rest was sold off or donated. She still had a chance to pass on this ride, to go collect her dignity from the bottom of a ditch. If she gets in the van, that dignity will be gone for good, and she had no assurance that anyone would sell her any clothing at any place she'd come across further west.