“Damn this car,” Jean said as she lifted the hood of the nearly antique Toyota Camry.

The area was quiet, desolate and only the crickets heard her as she looked under the hood in the twilight of the newborn night.

“What the hell am I doing,” Jean said to herself as she looked at the car, “I wouldn’t know what to do even if I knew what was wrong. Why is it I always get the bad cars?”

Jean sighed, and stared at the engine compartment, the hood light’s glare shining over all it could see.

Jean picked up her phone and looked at the screen, “no signal”.

Jean began walking back and forth on this desolate part of the highway, looking for a small place that she could get a signal and make a call to someone somewhere.

She saw the lights in the distance, the area she thought no one would ever visit was being visited, she looked at the lights as they grew, from yellow to bright white as the car came closer and she waved her arms.

The car pulled towards her as the last vestiges of the crimson sky faded to black and night was upon the area. The sleek Impala was jet black, and the door opened in an almost methodical manner.

A mountain of a man stepped out of the car. He was at least six feet tall and was very heavy, at least 300 pounds. Jean gulped for a second as he looked at her then he spoke with a  soft voice that simply did not fit his mountainous form.

“What seems to be the problem,” he asked.

“Car broke down and I’ve got no signal,” Jean smiled her biggest brightest smile. “I can send a truck for it later, can you just take me to town?”

“Town’s about 20 miles from here,” the crisp voice replied. “I can take ya, but I am not sure what’s open, and there isn’t good cell signal anywhere in the state as far as I know.”

“So I have found out,” Jean said to him, “My name’s Jean.”

“My name’s Miller,” the man mountain spoke in a soft tone, “I will drive ya so you can get a signal.”

“Thanks Miller,” Jean said as she walked to the Camry. “Let me grab my bag.”

Jean grabbed the large leather bag out of the back seat of the Camry and walked to Miller’s Impala. As she walked to the passenger side she smiled at the crisp lines of the car.

“What year?” she asked Miller.

“1996,” Miller said, “A nice year for Impala’s. Did you want to lock your car or close the hood?”

“Naw, maybe someone will steal it,” she laughed.

Miller looked serious, “I doubt it Miss Jean, people out here are pretty trusting and trustworthy.”

“I’ve noticed that,” Jean said as they both closed their doors and Miller started the car.

As they pulled away Miller asked, “So whatcha doin out this way?”

Jean smiled and even in the dark she knew her smile could be seen, “Well, I am kinda looking for something exciting. I am not sure what yet, but there is something out here.”

“I imagine so,” Miller said. “From the city?”

“Yep,” Jean started, “I am from just outside of Chicago, ever been there?”

“No ma’am,” Miller said in his light voice, “I’ve never been anywhere but here. I just work and come home every day like the good lord says to do.”

“Family?” Jean asked.

“I did have, but they are all gone now, it is just me and the cat, ain’t no issue though, the cat is outside til I get home, and I just work when I want, it is a perfect life.” Miller said.

“I bet it is,” Jean said. Jean loosened her hold on her bag and smiled a bit. As she did so Miller asked quietly, “that’s a nice bag.”

“Yeah, I picked it up a bit ago, it is a nice bag,” Jean said as she reached into her bag.

“Hey Miller, I am feeling a little sick, can you pull over for a second, I am not used to riding passenger,” Jean said.

Miller frowned in the dim glow of the instrument lights, “Sure.” He said in his soft voice.

Jean opened the door with her bag as she stepped out of the car and leaned over the side coughing, Miller came around the back of the car and tried to help as she looked down into the ditch and coughed again.

“Can I help you ma’am,” Miller asked.

“You already did,” Jean said as she swung the knife across Millers throat.

Miller gasped as his skin parted and blood began spraying out of the gaping hole. Jean smiled as Miller grabbed his throat.

“You’re a nice man Miller,” she said, “But I am not a nice woman. I really needed the car, the last guy just didn’t take care of his piece of junk, and your car will get me a long, long way. Thank you, Miller.” As Jean said the last word she kicked the giant man into the ditch as he gasped his last breath.

Jean walked to the driver side and looked at her phone, still no signal, what a great state. She got in the car and began to drive, wherever the road might lead, and to whoever she might find next.