The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the deserted highway. I glanced at the clock on my dashboard. 2:13 AM. Perfect. The roads were empty, and I had the night to myself. I relished these late-night drives, a welcome escape from the chaos of the day. But tonight felt different. The air was thick with a foreboding silence, and the usually comforting darkness seemed oppressive.The old forest road stretched out before me, a ribbon of asphalt cutting through dense, looming trees. I’d driven this route countless times, but tonight, every shadow seemed to move, every rustle in the trees sounded like a whisper of warning. Shaking off my nerves, I turned up the radio, letting the soft hum of music fill the car. It did little to quell the unease gnawing at my gut.About an hour into the drive, my headlights caught a figure standing by the roadside. A woman, drenched from head to toe, her hair plastered to her face. She wore a pale dress that clung to her body, accentuating her distress. I slowed down, hesitating. Picking up hitchhikers was against my better judgment, but leaving her out here alone didn’t sit right with me.I rolled down the window as I approached her. Do you need a ride? I called out.Her eyes met mine, and a shiver ran down my spine. They were unnaturally wide, her pupils dilated as if she’d seen something horrific. She nodded, her movements stiff and mechanical. Against my better judgment, I unlocked the door, and she climbed in without a word.The silence was dea