Four black guys.

I knew they were black due to the loud rap music and buzzing bass speakers blaring, but it was turned down to let the one in the passenger seat roll down his window ask me, "You need a lift, lady?"

When he says lady to me, I hesitantly look down at my body. It did not look like a man's body but a small female body. I ran my finger through my hair and found I did not have buzzcut, but long, silky, brunette hair flowing from my head.

"Yea kinda," I said innocently.

"Kinda? Where you headed?"

"I left my place in a hurry, and I turn the wrong exit. I tried to go back the way I came but I got lost and my car broke down," I had to make up a story since I don't remember anything from last night or a couple hours ago. My spirits are lifted when they are tricked by my little story.

"Well, I guess we could give you a lift. We have a gig in the next state, and we have room for one more. Just get your stuff and hop in."

I went to the car and got a purse that was put onto the passenger side seat. It was a small purse but it was the only thing that didn't go with everything else in the car. I didn't bother with anything else in the car since I felt like I was on a timer to find everything I needed to get. Since I haven't seen the trunk since I woke up on the road, I open it and search inside.

Only a small light illuminated the contents inside the trunk. I couldn't see everything, but the only thing I saw that was a bit suspicious, like the purse in the passenger seat, was a mysterious looking duffel bag. As I reach for the large bag, little bell rung. I found out a second later, as I search for the bag handles, that the bell noise was indeed a string of bells attached to a key ring that was put onto one of zipper on one end of hte bag. Knowing that I didn't have much time to figure out what is in the bag, I pull the bag out quickly. In fact, the duffel bag I pulled out was the only thing that held anything. I could've sworn last night, before I woke up on the road, I had put a backpack in the trunk. That backpack is indeed missing and the duffel bag is in replace of that item.

With the purse hanging over my shoulder and the duffel bag held in my opposite arm, I close the trunk and leave the car to its inevitable tow. One of the black guys sitting in the back got out and helped me with the back door of their vehicle, which was like a minivan. He opened it but didn't bother waiting for me to put my bags in the bag. He simply opened the hatch and went back in the car. Not minding his action, I heave the duffel bag into the back. The bag was indeed different than the rest of the luggage stored in the back of the ban. The duffel bag had a color of light green apart from the rest, which were of a dark blue color.

Stored with the bags was two large boxes. These were the kinds that held technological things such as sound systems, mixers, stereos, and electric instruments. I didn't have time to find out what was inside but I assume the people riding in this van are definitely a rap group.

I got into the back and to my discovery, only what looked like the rear-most seat was pushed into the middle area. Since they had a double-sliding door van, I would assume that in the middle, two individual seats would be there. I guess that they were removed to allow more storage space in the back. So on the seat sat two black men, who seemed unconcerned that I was there. They offered me the seat in between them. I had second thoughts about it but I stood my ground. I took my purse and sat in between them. I thought that they would try to shift closer to me but they didn't. They just minded their own business.

The driver took the car out of park and continued on his way. The loud rap music they were listening to was still turned down. I thought they would just mind their own business and continue listening to it. I was just about ready to cover my ears with my hand when the driver looked at his rear view mirror to look at me and he politely asked what was my name. Before he could finish his question, I covertly found an I.D. card with my mugshot, important information, and my name on it. The name on the card read, "Marianne."

After he asked his question, I immediate told him my name, "Marianne Milano."

"That's a pretty name, Marianne," the driver responded in a friendly manner. "Well, I'm Rick this guy next to me is Bruce."

The guy to my left said, "You can call me Carl, girl," and as he said this he put his massive arm around my shoulder. It felt good, unusually. I could definitely feel pressure through the jacket I had on. "That dude on your right is my step brother Tyrone," he added.

After introducing themselves to me and I to them, the conversation stopped. After a minute, Rick the driver ejected the CD in the stereo and swapped it for another. Instead of full volume bass pumping through the bass speakers and jumble rap verses, the speakers produced a beautiful, R&B slow beat. After a few measures of pure intro, Carl began singing the first verse. The music through the speakers was to my discovery just an intrumental track. I turn my ear to listen to Carl singing a soothing verse. What I thought was a rap group was indeed like one of the group made in "Making the Band."

Due to the soothing sound and perfect beats and use of instruments, my eyes begin to close. After three more songs, and hearing the rest of the guys singing their individual and melody parts, I fall asleep.