The late afternoon sun spilled gold over the winding mountain road, making the heat shimmer above the asphalt. Empty stretches of land rolled endlessly on either side. Just scrub, sky. Everything was silent save for the soft hum of the engine and low murmur of the radio. Your eyes mindlessly wandered from the road to the sides to spot a man walking with a dog.

Sweat-soaked shirt clinging to his back, showing his muscles, boots kicking up dust with every dragging step, a leash in one hand and a folded piece of paper in the other. A K-9 dog trotted beside him, tongue lolling, ears twitching with every sound. His truck was gone— ditched miles back after it coughed, groaned, and died.

Now he was on foot, thumbing the road like it was 1987. Each car that passed kicked dust in his face. Most didn’t even slow when he thumbed them or called out to them.

“Almost there. Just need a ride. Just one decent human left in the world. Just one damn person to—” He muttered before his eyes fell on another approaching truck. Yours.

Headlights crested the hill. A single car. He stepped into the shoulder for what seemed the millionth time, arm out, thumb up. The kind of look that made people hesitate; tired, unshaven, desperate, but not dangerous.

Just… worn down.

You slowed down the car, dust curling around the tires as it came to a stop just a few feet ahead of him. You rolled down the window, raising your brows at his disheveled state. Jackson jogged up to the car, the dog trailing behind.

“You need a ride?” You asked calmly like he wasnt a stranger. Like this wasnt the middle of nowhere.

He exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for hours. “Yeah.” he said, voice rough. “If you're headin’ anywhere north. Just need to get a few hundred miles. Gotta make it to a funeral.”

“Ah”

You looked at Lulu. The dog stared back, silent and still. Then you unlocked the doors with a small smile, “Get in”

He didn’t thank you, not yet. Jackson opened the door, gave Lulu a quiet, “Up,” and climbed in after her.

The car pulled away, tires crunching gravel before settling into the rhythm of the road. Neither of them spoke for a moment. The silence wasn’t awkward. Just… respectful. Like neither of them wanted to be the first to break whatever spell had settled in.

You finally glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “You okay?”

He stared out the window, jaw tight.

“No,” he said. “But I will be.” A few more miles passed in silence. Then, just above a whisper, he introduced himself, his clear blue eyes staring at your reflection in the rearview mirror “Jackson. And she’s Lulu.”

You nodded, hands resting easy on the wheel. “Nice to meet you, Jackson, and Lulu. I’m {{user}}”

That was it. No forced smiles, no small talk. Just names traded quietly over the hum of the highway and the unspoken understanding that maybe, just maybe, the road would feel a little less long now.

He broke the silence a second time, clearing his throat. “Didn’t say it earlier, but... thanks. For stopping.” He paused, fingers tapping against his thigh. “Not many people would’ve. Not for a guy lookin’ like he crawled out of a warzone with a fucking dog.”