by Stephen Johnson The neon bulbs flickered, casting a foreboding crimson shadow outside the isolated truck stop. I pulled to a stop on fumes, staring inside at the solitary light portraying only the back of a head visible in the store. Cautiously, I walked in and entered a surreal silence that engulfed me. I […]
by Andrew McDonald It was 3 a.m. when the 18-wheeler pulled into Phil’s twenty-four seven rest stop. Phil’s was a massive and all-encompassing set up—restaurant and store, gas pumps, car wash, efficiency units and showers—basically everything a trucker needs. Pulling up to the car wash area, an attendant ran to the truck and hopped up onto […]
by Jodi Jensen “Would you look at this…” Ignoring the weeds growing in an abandoned truck at the derelict rest stop, Randall slid into the driver’s seat and gripped the gear shifter. “It’s so cool.” A movement by his elbow caught his attention, and he turned to see a broad green leaf wrap around […]
by Michelle Brett “Call an ambulance. Someone’s been hurt.” Marcus burst through the doors of the gas station; the bright lights irritating his eyes. He laid Mary down on the tiles and pressed his jacket against her leg. “It’s okay, Mary. I’ve found help.” But she only mumbled in reply, her eyes closed and […]
by L.J. McLeod He’d heard other truckers talk about the black dog, but this was ridiculous. The fluffy mutt between him and his truck could’ve fit in his hand. It cocked its head to one side, eyes filling with white light. As it started towards him, he wondered where it had come from. Those […]
by Warren Benedetto “I’ll have the scrapple,” I said. The waitress glanced at the fist-sized bruise on my arm, then at Mike. I nodded. She jotted on her pad. “Coffee.” Mike thrust the menu at the waitress. “Black.” The waitress disappeared into the kitchen. Through the swinging doors, I saw her hand my order […]
by Liam Hogan I don’t like to stop. The cab fulfils my needs, from somewhere to sleep, to food and drink: coffee and instant noodles, a travelling kettle serving for both. But you can’t resist a call of nature forever. No need for a truck stop or gas station, not when there’s woodland either […]
by Jameson Grey Gunnars Diner [sic] reeked of rank meat—like the fridge was broken or the sous-chef hadn’t checked the expiry dates. Sous-chef? Marilyn wondered. Did middle-of-nowhere greasy spoons even have them? Her Freightliner was the only rig in the lot. Marilyn was beat, and hours from the next truck stop, but the smell convinced […]
by Blaise Langlois Route 37 at night is a lonely stretch. My eyelids feel the weight of sleep, but the next exit promises 24-hour coffee. The car lot, bathed in a sick, yellow light, is practically deserted. I order a coffee and venture round back to use the restroom, but a foul smell makes […]
Two friends find themselves stranded in a merciless desert. Their journey quickly turns from a fight against the elements to a chilling struggle for sanity.