8 Terrifying Road Trip Horror Stories | True Scary Stories

dice please like And subscribe and share this video with your friends and family also please tell me from where you're watching thanks it started as one of those ideas that seemed perfect in theory a weekend escape to the mountains with my best friend Lily she had been raving about her family's cabin for weeks promising fresh air roaring fires and a chance to unplug from The Madness of City Life it was hard to say no to the idea of trading traffic noise for the sound of wind in the trees what Lily failed to mention or maybe

didn't think mattered was just how isolated this cabin was I mean in the middle of nowhere doesn't even begin to describe it the drive started out fine we packed the car with snacks some music for the road and plenty of warm clothes the forecast said snow but nothing too crazy I remember Lily laughing as we merged onto the highway saying something like this is going to be exactly what we need and at the time I completely agreed the thought of curling up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book was

enough to make me forget the stress of the past week but by the time we hit the turnoff for the cabin the weather had taken a sharp turn the snow started falling around noon not the gentle picturesque kind but the sort that feels like someone's shaking a snow globe with you inside it the flakes were coming down so thick and fast that I couldn't tell where the road ended and the forest began Lily kept insisting we were close but the GPS had other ideas it showed us as a blinking dot in the middle of an

empty field the road apparently Vanishing into nothing then we saw the sign or more accurately I saw the sign it was old the kind of old that makes you wonder how it's still standing weathered wood barely holding on to flaking paint through the snow I could just make out the words Hollow Creek Scenic detour Scenic detour Lily said squinting at it she slowed the car then glanced at me with a shrug might shave off sometime plus it could be pretty pretty sure but something about that sign made me feel uneasy I couldn't explain it so

I didn't say anything I didn't want to sound paranoid especially when Lily looked so sure of herself I figured how bad could it be the answer really bad The Detour was less of a road and more of a narrow winding path carved into dense forest snow clung to the branches overhead and every Bend seemed to twist us deeper into the woods the farther we went the less it felt like we were heading towards civilization at one point I joked that we were probably driving straight into Narnia but Lily just laughed it off saying it's all

part of the adventure adventure or or not the car had other plans just as we rounded yet another curve it gave this awful sputtering sound installed Lily turned the key nothing she tried again still nothing finally she let out a frustrated groan and smacked the steering wheel great she muttered just great I pulled out my phone praying for at least one bar of service but nope the screen might as well have said you are on your own after some deliberation we decided to walk the logic was simple if there was a detour it had to

lead somewhere right a house a gas station maybe even a cabin like Lily we bundled up and started trekking through the snow which was coming down harder now stinging our faces and soaking through our boots every step felt heavier than the last but we kept going Lily Leading The Way with a kind of determination I wish I'd shared it must have been close to an hour when we saw it a cabin nestled between the trees just barely visible through the storm relief washed over me so suddenly that I almost laughed shelter warmth maybe even a

phone the cabin looked surprisingly well-kept for being in the middle of nowhere the snow around it was untouched no Footprints or tire tracks to suggest anyone had been there recently but at that moment I didn't care all I want wanted was to get inside Lily knocked on the door when no one answered she tried the handle it was unlocked the door creaked open revealing a cozy firit interior the smell of pine hit me immediately rich and earthy like a freshcut Christmas tree it was oddly inviting too inviting homie Lily said stepping inside and kicking off

her boots I followed hesitantly my eyes scanning the room everything was was neat and orderly but there was something off it's hard to explain but the whole place felt staged like a picture in a magazine too perfect too still then I saw the doll it sat on a small wooden table by the window its porcelain face turned toward us its glassy eyes seemed to follow our movements even though it didn't move dark hair framed its face and its painted lips were frozen in a faint knowing smile I shivered okay that's creepy Lily said with a

nervous laugh she gave it a wide birth as she headed toward the couch but hey it's better than freezing to death out there we settled in hoping the owner would return soon hours passed the storm outside raged on the Wind howling like something alive but the cabin remained eerily quiet by Nightfall it became clear we weren't going anywhere around 3:00 a.m. I woke up to a sound at first I thought it was the wind but then I realized it was faint giggling soft high-p pitched and far too close I turned over my heart thuing in

my chest Lily was asleep snoring softly under a blanket the giggling came again I sat up my eyes darting around the room the doll wasn't on the table anymore it was sitting in the armchair by the fire its head tilted slightly to the side as if it were watching me I froze my breath catching in my throat slowly I reached over and shook Lily awake the doll I whispered barely able to get the words out it moved she groaned rubbing her eyes you are seriously freaking out over a doll just go back to sleep but

I couldn't the cabin felt different now heavy oppressive like the air itself was closing in every Creek of the floorboard every gust of wind against the windows sent shivers down my spine then I heard it a shuffle soft but deliberate my eyes darted to the armchair it was empty I shook Lily again harder this time it's gone I hissed Panic rising in my chest the doll it's I stopped in the shadows near the door something moved a small figure stepped into the fire light a girl maybe 6 years old old with pale skin and long

dark hair her eyes oh God her eyes were empty sockets black as the void she smiled a chillingly sweet smile that didn't reach those Hollow pits you shouldn't have touched my house she said her voice soft and sing song like a nursery rhyme Lily sat up her face pale what the the girl's head snapped toward her and the smile vanished you didn't follow the rules she hissed her voice low and venomous the fire flickered the Shadows stretching and twisting around us then she screamed it wasn't just a scream it was a thousand screams layered on

top of each other filling the cabin with a sound so unbearable I thought my head might split open run Lily shouted grabbing my arm we bolted out the door into the blizzard the cold hit me like a wall but I didn't stop I ran blindly through the snow my lungs burning and my legs trembling until the screaming faded into silence when I finally stopped gasping for air I realized Lily wasn't with me I called her name my voice cracking but the storm swallowed every word I stumbled back to the road desperate and half Frozen eventually

I saw headlights a plow truck the driver bundled me into the cab his face a mix of concern and disbelief they searched for Lily but there was no trace of her no cabin either the road we'd taken didn't exist on any map I still think about that night you ever have one of those moments where you realize too late that you've made a huge mistake yeah that was me about halfway into a road trip I had no business taking the plan was simple Drive Upstate to surprise my sister for her birthday I'd done it every

year no matter what it was a tradition and breaking it just wasn't an option but this year this year I should have stayed home the forecast had called for snow sure but I figured how bad could it be I'd driven through snow plenty of times before I packed some snacks threw a blanket in the back seat and hit the road without a second thought what I didn't expect was the storm rolling in faster harder than anyone predicted by the time I hit the halfway point the highway had turned into a scene out of a disaster

movie Snow was coming down so thick and fast that my headlights barely cut through it the road had vanished under a blanket of white and I was just guessing where the lanes were supposed to be my windshield wipers were working overtime but the snow kept piling up faster than they could clear it I was alone out there crawling forward at a snail's pace gripping the wheels so tightly my hands ACH the radio was useless nothing but static and my phone might as well have been a paper weight no bars no GPS no Lifeline the isolation

was almost as heavy as the snow itself every now and then I'd see the faint shadow of another car creeping along in the distance but for the most part it was just me in the storm after what felt like hours of White Knuckle driving I started scanning for any sign of civilization my shoulders were so tense they felt like they were permanently hunched and I could feel my pulse thuing in my ears just when I thought I couldn't take another second I saw it a faint glow cutting through the storm a gas station it wasn't

much just a flickering light over the pumps and a crooked sign that swayed in the wind but it was enough relief washed over me and I pulled in without hesitation up close the place looked even worse the windows were frosted over and the whole building had this sagging tired look like it had been standing there for decades and wasn't sure how much longer it could keep going the snow swirled around me as I climbed out of the car and the wind bid into every inch of Exposed Skin I pumped my gas as quickly as I

could the nozzle icy under my gloves and then hurried inside to escape the cold the door jingled as I stepped in and a wave of warm musty air hit me the inside of the gas station was just as rundown as the outside the shelves were half empty stocked with random snacks cans of soup and the kind of emergency supplies you only buy when you are desperate the smell of old coffee and grease lingered in the air and the floor creaked under my boots behind the counter was a borl looking cashier scrolling through his phone like

he couldn't care less about the world ending outside he didn't even glance up when I walked in I grabbed a bag of chips a bottle of water and some trail mix figuring I might not get another chance to stop for a while as I set my stuff on the counter the door jingled again I glanced over my shoulder and saw a man walk in shaking snow off his boots he looked rugged tall and wiy with a face that was all sharp angles his Parker was bulky but it couldn't hide how lean he was like he

spent more time Outdoors than in his eyes were what struck me though piercing and sharp like they were taking in every detail of the room in One Sweep they landed on me for just a second and I felt this weird jolt of unease he gave me a nod and walked past without a word Storm's getting worse he said casually to the cashier who grunted in response I paid quickly feeling the sudden urge to get out of there and headed back to my car but when I stepped outside my heart dropped the man was standing next

to my car leaning against it like he'd been waiting for me you heading north he asked his voice low and muffled by the wind I hesitated my breath puffing out in clouds as I tried to think of what to say yeah I said finally why roads are bad he said gesturing toward his truck which was parked off to the side of the building it was old and beat up the kind of truck that looked like it could survive a nuclear apocalypse we could Caravan safer that way there was something about him something I couldn't put

my finger on that made my stomach twist his smile was wide too wide like he was trying too hard to put me at ease but his eyes they weren't smiling thanks but I am fine I said keeping my tone polite but firm I opened my car door and he stepped back his hands raised like he was surrendering suit yourself he said still smiling as I climbed in and shut the door I watched him in my rear view mirror as I pulled out of the lot his figure getting smaller and smaller until it finally disappeared Into

the Storm for a while I told myself it was over just a weird guy at a gas station nothing more but about 10 minutes later I saw them headlights in my rearview mirror bright and steady cutting through the snow like a pair of eyes watching me at first I tried to brush it off it's just another car I told myself just someone else braving the storm but as the miles dragged on the headlights never wavered they stayed the same distance behind me never getting closer Never Falling Back my stomach started to knot I decided to

test him slowing down I pulled over to the shoulder and waited my breath fogging up the windows as I watched he didn't pass instead the truck stopped too just a few car lengths behind me my pulse was hammering now and my hands felt clammy despite the cold the door of the truck opened and the man stepped out his silhouette barely visible through the snow my heart was racing as I fumbled for my phone but there was still no signal I reached for the ice scraper under the passenger seat gripping it tightly as he knocked on

my window everything okay he asked his voice muffled through the glass I am fine I called back not rolling the window down he leaned closer squinting to see inside looks like you are stuck I am not I snapped I am fine he raised his hands in mock surrender stepping back all right just trying to help he climbed back into his truck and drove off and for a second I let myself believe it was over but a few miles later I saw him again parked on the side of the road with his lights off as I

passed his headlights flicked on and he pulled out behind me again that was it Panic took over and I slammed on the gas the tires skidding on the Slick Road as I tried to put as much distance between us as possible he followed his headlights never wavering I don't know how long I drove like that my heart racing my hands gripping the wheel so hard they started to cramp finally I spotted a turnoff and veered onto to it without thinking the road was narrow barely plowed but I didn't care I just kept driving until the

headlights disappeared I didn't stop until I reached a motel hours later I locked the door behind me and collapsed onto the bed too exhausted to even think the next morning I turned on the television in the motel Lobby a news alert caught my eye blizzard disrupts travel police investigating suspicious vehicle sightings near Highway 24 a grainy photo flashed on the screen an old battered truck I never saw him again but to this day I can't take a road trip without glancing in the rear view mirror half expecting to see those headlights behind me and honestly

I probably always will it started out simple enough we both needed a break a way to shake off the monotony of everyday life Zoe suggested heading up north to check out some frozen waterfalls she'd heard about and I didn't need much convincing the plan was loose Drive explore take a ton of photos and see what we found along the way we packed the essentials blankets thermoses of coffee snacks and my camera gear it felt like the perfect escape the first couple of days were incredible the kind of days where Everything feels right like you've somehow

stumbled into a perfect little bubble of time the snow clung to the Evergreens in thick layers turning them into these impossibly delicate sculptures the roads were nearly empty and it felt like we had the entire world to ourselves Zoe kept starting snowball fights every time we stopped laughing like a kid every time she missed or hit me I spent hours trying to capture the perfect shot of the icy rivers and frost covered rocks while she teased me for lying flat in the snow to get the right angle it was peaceful fun the kind of trip

that makes you forget tea here is anything bad in the world but on the third day things started to shift we were driving down Highway 68 which is one of those roads that feels like it goes on forever just miles and miles of flat snow covered Fields broken up by the occasional cluster of trees the sky had been gray all morning but but by the time we hit that stretch it had turned a deeper darker shade it felt heavy like the air before a thunderstorm Zoe was staring out the window her breath fogging up the

glass you think we're going to beat the storm I glanced at the sky ahead trying not to let my uncertainty show I mean it's not like we have a choice right she smirked very comforting thanks the first flakes started falling about 15 minutes later they were soft at first the kind of snow that makes you want to stick out your tongue and catch them but before long they got heavier thicker swirling in the wind like a living thing the wipers were on Full Speed but they weren't keeping up the road started disappearing under a layer

of white and the tires began to slip more than I liked this is getting dicey Zoe said her voice tight she was gripping the armrest so hard her Knuckles had gone white I didn't answer I was too focused on keeping the car steady the wind was picking up howling against the windows and making the whole car shutter every time the tires slid my stomach lurched my hands felt glued to the steering wheel like letting go for even a second would send us spinning off the road then we saw the sign it was old the wood

weathered and cracked but I could just make out the words Hollow Creek rest stop a small Road branched off to the right leading leading to what looked like a parking lot surrounded by trees there was no one else around not surprising given the weather we should pull over I said Zoe nodded quickly her relief obvious I turned onto the road the tires crunching over the snow the rest stop wasn't much just a flat expanse of white bordered by tall dark Pines a small building stood at the far end its roof buried under a thick layer

of snow it looked like one of those restroom buildings you see at state parks functional but not exactly welcoming I parked near the edge of the lot as close to the trees as I dared the engine hummed quietly as we sat there sipping the last of our coffee and listening to the wind it was Eerie how quiet everything felt despite the storm raging outside the snow muffled everything even our voices for a while we just sat there in silence both of us too tired to talk then out of nowhere Zoe whispered do you see that

I followed her gaze at first I didn't see anything just the swirling snow and the dark outline of the trees but then I spotted it a shape moving slowly through the storm it was coming from the woods on the far side of the lot barely visible against the white as it got closer I realized it was a man is he okay Zoe asked her voice was quiet almost like she didn't want him to hear her I don't know I said my stomach was doing this slow uncomfortable twist something about him felt wrong he was wearing

a long coat but it wasn't buttoned up and underneath he had on a thin sweater and ripped jeans his clothes were all wrong for the weather he should have been shivering but he wasn't he just kept walking slow and steady his eyes fixed on our car when he reached the edge of the lot he stopped for a moment he just stood there staring at us then slowly he raised a hand and waved I don't know how to describe that wave it wasn't friendly exactly it was slow deliberate like he was testing us Zoe leaned over

and hit the lock button the sound of the doors clicking into place cutting through the silence like a gunshot the man tilted his head his gaze still fixed on us then he started walking again this time toward Zo side of the car his boots crunched in the snow with each step the sound somehow louder than it should have been when he reached the window he leaned in cupping his hands around his face to peer inside his breath left a patch of frost on the glass and when he grinned this wide unsettling grin I felt my

stomach drop Drive Zoe his drive now my hands were shaking so badly I could barely get the key into the ignition the engine roared to life and I slammed the gas the tires spun for a moment before catching and we shot forward snow spraying up behind us I didn't look back I didn't want to know if he was still standing there or worse if he was following us we didn't say a word for the next hour Zoe kept glancing over her shoulder her face pale and tense my hands were glued to the wheel my heart

racing so fast it felt like it was trying to escape my chest when we finally reached the next town we pulled into a gas station Zoe stayed in the car while I went inside to pay the clerk was an older guy with a Gruff demeanor the kind of person who looked like he'd seen it all rough night I said trying to sound casual we stopped at Hollow Creek to wait out the storm creepy place the clerk froze he didn't say anything for a long moment just stared at me like I'd said something I shouldn't have

you shouldn't have stop there he said finally his voice was low almost a whisper that place it's not right I laughed nervously what do you mean he hesitated then shook his head a guy went missing there a while back young hiker they never found him but folks around here say he's still out there wandering looking for something or someone I didn't tell Zoe what he said I didn't need to we both knew we'd seen something that night something we couldn't explain and every time I think about that wave that smile I get this cold feeling

deep in my chest like I am standing out there in the snow all over again winter has a way of exposing things stripping the world down to its Bare Bones sometimes it's beautiful and sometimes it shows you things you wish you could forget my friends and I had decided to to take a winter road trip chasing the idea of some off- thegrid Adventure during our semester break the plan was simple drive up to this little mountain cabin my cousin had recommended spend a few days hiking sledding and maybe having some good oldfashioned deep talks by

the fire no phones no Wi-fi no dorm drama just nature snow and a much needed break from reality we were feeling pretty good about it at first the drive started out like every great road trip does blasting the worst playlists imaginable passing around snacks we knew we'd regret later and laughing at the dumbest things mark My best friend kept making up these ridiculous fun facts about the area half of which Ellie sitting in the back seat actually believed until she caught on she threatened to throw him out of the car at least twice honestly it

was the kind of Carefree vibe that makes you feel invincible like nothing could go wrong then the storm hit I'd seen snow storms before grew up with them in fact but this this was Next Level the snow didn't just fall it came at us sideways a Relentless wall of white that swallowed up everything in its path the further we got into the mountains the worse it got the road narrowed the trees closed in and soon it was like driving through a tunnel made of snow and ice my hands were clamped around the steering wheel so

tight my fingers started cramping the wipers were working overtime but it didn't matter I couldn't see more than a few feet ahead Ellie leaned forward her breath fogging up the window this is a bad idea she muttered her voice low like she didn't want to jinx us we should have stayed in that town back there we'll be fine Mark said ever The Optimist he had his feet up on the dashboard as if we weren't navigating what felt like the edge of the world cabin's what an hour away right Sam yeah I lied my eyes glued

to the barely their road ahead the GPS had given up miles ago and the directions I thought I remembered were turning into a blur of second guesses every turn felt wrong every tree looked like the last but I didn't want to admit it not yet then we saw it the sign detour ahead it was small barely visible under the snow but I caught it in the headlights the road curved sharply to the left and at the bend there was a single street light the bulb flickered like it was struggling to stay alive casting a weird

shaky glow on the figure standing underneath it a man he was bundled up in so many layers it was hard to tell where his Cod ended and he began but he was waving a flashlight signaling for us to stop I slowed down the tires crunching over the fresh snow the man stepped closer his face pale and weathered like he'd been out there for hours his breath fogged the air in short quick bursts roads closed up ahead he said his voice muffled by the scarf wrapped around his face you'll need to take the side route it's

quicker anyway I glanced at Mark who just Shrugged and then at Ellie who looked like she was about ready to bolt from the car the man seemed harmless enough or at least harmless enough for someone who was standing out in the middle of a snowstorm with no car in sight still something about him made my stomach not it's safe he added like he could read my hesitation I live out here you'll be fine Mark of course jumped at the idea see local advice what I tell you this guy knows what's up he turned to me

grinning like we were on some kind of Adventure Show let's take it what's the Worst That Could Happen a lot notot I thought but instead I nodded against my better judgment I nodded the man gestured to a narrow road that veered off into the woods barely visible under the snow take it slow he said snow gets deep quick we thanked him or Mark did and started down the road at first it wasn't so bad the tires crunched through the fresh powder and the headlights cast long Eerie Shadows on the trees but it was qu quiet

too quiet the kind of quiet that presses against your ears and makes you hyper aware of every sound our breathing the hum of the heater the occasional Creek of the car as it hit a rut in the road it wasn't long before the tire tracks we'd been following disappeared completely swallowed up by the snow this doesn't feel right Ellie muttered her voice tight this doesn't feel right at all relax Mark said leaning forward like that would somehow help him see further ahead it's an adventure right but even he was starting to sound less sure then

we saw it a small clearing just off the road at the edge of the clearing tucked between the trees was a cabin or at least what was left of one the roof sagged under the weight of the snow and the windows were boarded up the whole place had this forgotten Eerie looked to it like it had been abandoned years ago let's turn around Ellie said her voice sharp now seriously let's just go back but Mark was already out of the car trudging through the snow like we were on some kind of Twisted scavenger hunt come

on he called back let's check it out what if someone's inside Mark no I hissed but he wasn't listening Ellie and I had no choice but to follow him the closer we got the worse it looked the door was hanging crooked on its hinges and there were fresh Footprints leading inside my stomach Twisted into a knot so tight I thought I was going to be sick hello Mark called knocking on the door like we were trick-or-treating for a moment nothing then the door creaked open and a woman appeared thin wrapped in so many layers she

looked twice her size her eyes darted between us like she was sizing us up lost she asked her voice sharp and raspy mark ever the idiot grinned yeah the guy back on the road told us her expression changed it was subtle just a twitch at the corner of her mouth but I caught it come in she said stepping aside warm up Storm's bad tonight I didn't want to every Instinct in my body was screaming at me to turn around and leave but Mark was already stepping inside Ellie shot me a look that said are you

serious right now the inside was worse than the outside it was dark damp and cluttered with random junk old furniture empty cans a pile of boots near the door a single Lantern cast a dim glow that made the Shadows dance across the walls that's when I saw it near the boots was something shiny a car key and next to it a phone case my blood ran cold I knew that case I'd seen it before back at the gas station on a missing poster Mark I whispered grabbing his arm we need to leave now what why

I didn't answer I just pulled him toward the door Ellie was already ahead of us her hand on the knob that's when we heard it the crunch of footsteps outside not one pair multiple go I whispered shoving Mark forward we ran slipping stumbling practically falling through the snow the footsteps behind us were getting closer and I swear I could hear voices low and Urgent Mark fumbled with the keys but managed to unlock the car we piled in and I floored the tires spinning before they finally caught traction as we sped away I glanced in the

rearview mirror they were standing there three figures barely visible in the snow one of them was the man from the road we didn't stop until we hit the next town when we told the police they said they'd check it out but the storm had already wiped away the tracks when they got to the cabin it was empty I don't know who those people were or what they wanted but sometimes when I close my eyes I see the car key the phone case and I wonder how close we came to disappearing into the snow just like

whoever owned them some Adventures they're just not worth it it was January the kind of cold where even breathing feels sharp life had been running me into the ground deadlines endless emails people needing things from me every second of the day I'd been dreaming of an escape for weeks and when I finally saw a gap in my schedule I jumped on it my plan wasn't much of a plan really just me my car and a loose idea of driving through snow covered mountain towns stopping wherever the mood struck me No Reservations no itinerary just freedom

I wanted to feel like I could breathe again even if it was just for a weekend I left early Friday morning the sky was a dull gray heavy with the kind of clouds that make you wonder if snow is coming the roads were mostly empty and the heater in my car hummed comfortingly as I drove I had a podcast playing in the background not one of those True Crime ones thankfully though looking back maybe it would have been a good War morning instead it was something light and funny just enough to keep me company as

the miles slipped by by midafternoon I found myself in this Tiny Town I hadn't even planned on stopping in it was one of those places that feels like a snapshot of another era Main Street with its little antique shops a cafe or two and not much else the kind of town where you can imagine everyone knows everyone else's business it was quiet almost sleepy but it felt Charming in its own way I decided to grab a late lunch at this Cozy Cafe with big Windows overlooking the street as I sat there with a steaming cup

of coffee I let myself relax for the first time in what felt like weeks after wandering through a couple of shops and convincing myself I didn't need an overpriced vintage lamp I found a modest little Inn just a few blocks away the woman at the desk greeted me with a warm smile her cardigan buttoned all the way up like someone's sweet grandmother not many Travelers this time of year she said sliding a brass key across the counter you'll have the place mostly to yourself enjoy the quiet her words felt like a blessing I dropped my

bag in my room a simple cozy space with a quilted bedspread and a faint smell of lavender and decided to check out the town's one bar before calling it a night it was exactly what you'd expect in a place like this a roaring fire in the corner a handful of locals swapping stories at the bar and the kind of dim lighting that makes everyone look a little softer around the edges I ordered a drink and settled into a stool staring out the Frosted window as snow began to fall outside that's when she sat down next

to me traveling alone she asked pulling off a scarf that looked like it had been knit by hand she looked about my age maybe early 30 with Pink Cheeks from the cold and dark hair spilling over her shoulders there was something open and easy about her smile I nodded yeah just passing through same she said her smile widening I am carara we started talking and I was surprised at how easily the conversation flowed she told me she was on a solo road trip too needing a break from her demanding job in the city we compared

notes on our favorite small towns and swap stories about past trips she laughed at all the right moments leaning in just enough to make it feel like she was genuinely interested there was even a moment where she said it's rare to meet someone who actually gets it you know most people think traveling alone in the winter is crazy I laughed yeah I get that a lot when I finally got up to leave she stopped me hey I am heading the same direction tomorrow maybe we'll bump into each other maybe I said said lightly not thinking

much of it the next morning I was back on the road before the sun had fully risen hoping to catch the Light hitting the snow covered mountains the roads were slick but I was careful taking my time as the scenery unfolded around me it was beautiful the kind of quiet beauty that makes you feel like the only person in the world about an hour into the drive I noticed a car in my rear view mirror at first I didn't think anything of it but as I rounded a curve and glanced back again I realized it

was carara she waved when our eyes met in the mirror her grin visible even through the windshield I told myself it was just a coincidence maybe she'd left town around the same time as me no big deal right but she stayed behind me for Miles through winding mountain roads and long stretches of empty Highway the unease started as a faint itch but it grew with every turn followed me through finally I pulled into a rest stop to stretch my legs and hopefully put some distance between us she pulled in right after me small world she

said cheerfully as she got out of her car I nodded forcing a smile yeah I guess so she didn't seem to pick up on my discomfort instead she walked alongside me chatting about how beautiful the drive was I kept my answers short hoping she'd get the hint when I got back to my car she lingered by my door her breath fogging in the cold air you know she said tilting her head we should stick together it's safer with the snow and all her tone was casual but something about the way she said it made my

stomach knot I forced another smile I think I am okay on my own but thanks her smile faltered for just a second before snapping back into place right sure be careful out there I drove off heart pounding and watched her car shrink in my rearview mirror but the unease didn't leave me by the time I reached the next town the sky was already starting to darken I was relieved to see the little Inn I'd booked ahead of time its warm lights glowing against the snowy backdrop but as I pulled into the parking lot my stomach

dropped Cara's car was there I tried to convince myself it was just another coincidence but when I went down to the lobby later there she was sitting in a chair near the fireplace like she'd been waiting for me hey she said brightly her eyes lighting up like we were old friends I nodded stiffly hi she suggested we grab dinner together but I made some excuse about feeling under the weather for a moment her expression shifted just a flicker of something sharp and unreadable before she smiled again feel feel better she said her voice a little

too sweet that night I locked my door and pushed a chair against it just in case the next morning I packed up early hoping to leave unnoticed but as soon as I stepped outside there she was leaning against my car like it was hers morning she said her breath puffing in the cold air I forced a smile morning she stepped closer her smile fading why are you avoiding me her tone was low almost accusatory my throat tightened I am not I said quickly though my voice didn't sound convincing her eyes narrowed I thought we had

a connection I shook my head trying to stay calm I am just traveling alone that's kind of the whole point of this trip her laugh was sharp and bitter nothing like the warm laugh from the bar right you are just like everyone else fake before I could respond she stormed off to her car slamming the door so hard it echoed in the quiet morning I didn't waste a second I jumped into my car and drove putting as much distance as I could between us the rest of the drive felt like a blur my eyes constantly

darting to the rear view mirror every car I passed made my heart race but Cara never reappeared by the time I got home that evening I felt like I could finally exhale but then I saw it an envelope tucked under my door inside was a single note written in frantic messy handwriting you'll regret this that trip stays with me a reminder of how quickly something harmless can turn into something you can't forget I haven't taken another solo trip since and honestly I don't think I ever will you know that feeling when life has you spinning

in circles and you just need to press pause that was me last winter burnt out strung out and so desperate for a break that even my coffee addiction couldn't keep me running my best friend Leah had been dealing with her own mountain of stress so when she suggested a weekend road trip to this tucked away Lodge in the mountains I didn't need much convincing just the idea of a few days without emails deadlines and the constant hum of city noise sounded like heaven we left early Friday morning just before Dawn the world was quiet and

still the kind of calm that only comes when most people are still wrapped up in their beds Leah was driving because she loves being behind the wheel and I was more than happy to play DJ we loaded up her playlist the kind of upbeat mix that forces you awake even when your body's still groggy and hit the road at first the drive was uneventful the city melted away replaced by sub suburbs and then suburbs gave way to open Countryside frost covered the fields sparkling in the early morning light and the roads were empty except for

the occasional pickup truck rumbling past by midm morning we'd reached that part of the countryside where time seems to slow down no gas stations no cell service just long winding roads lined with trees that arched overhead like a canopy it felt like we were driving into a different world it was some where along that stretch of road that we saw her a woman was standing on the side of the road her thumb out and her backpack propped against her leg she wasn't dressed like a typical hitchhiker not scruffy or unkempt but there was something about

her that made me hesitate her dark hair was tucked under a knit hat and her face was pale almost too pale against the backdrop of the forest behind her she looked young maybe mid 20s but there was a tiredness in the the way she stood like life had been weighing her down Leah keep driving I said instinctively my stomach twisting but Leah was already slowing down she looks like she needs help she said rolling down the window hey need a ride the woman stepped closer her boots crunching on the gravel up close her face was

sharper than I'd thought her dark eyes shadowed in distant thanks she said her voice soft and and even I am headed up the mountain anywhere closer is fine Leah flashed her a warm smile we're going near Silver Peak hop in I gave Leah a pointed look the kind that says are you serious right now but she ignored me already moving stuff off the back seat to make room the woman climbed in her backpack still clutched tightly in her arms like it was something precious she introduced herself as Anna but that was all she sh sced

no last name no details about where she was coming from just that she was trying to get back to her cabin before the snowstorm hit as we climbed higher into the mountains the weather started to change the bright winter sun disappeared behind a wall of gray clouds and the first snowflakes began to fall light and lazy at first Anna didn't say much just sat in the back seat staring out the window her expression unreadable Leah tried to keep the conversation going but it was like talking to a brick wall eventually even Leah gave up turning

the music back on and humming along to fill the Silence by the time we spotted the diner the snow was coming down in Earnest it was one of those old roadside places you only see in movies neon sign flickering parking lot half covered in snow and the kind of handp painted lettering on the windows that made you wonder how long it had been since they'd updated anything Leah stomach growled loudly enough to make us both laugh and she pulled into the lot without even asking inside the diner was warm almost too warm and smelled like

syrup grease and coffee that had been sitting on the burner a little too long there was only one other table occupied a couple who looked like they'd been married forever and a bored-looking waitress wiping down the counter we slid into a booth by the window and Leah ordered a feast p pancakes bacon eggs the works I went for a burger because why not road trips are the perfect excuse for bad eating habits Anna didn't order anything you are not hungry Leah asked raising an eyebrow Anna shook her head her fingers still curled around the straps

of her backpack I am fine thanks she didn't even take off her coat I didn't press her but the unease I'd felt since we picked her up only grew there was something about the way she sat too still too quiet that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up Leah didn't seem to notice she chatted on like everything was normal but I could feel the tension creeping in like a shadow hanging over the table after lunch the roads were barely passable the snow was coming down hard now thick and heavy and even

Leah started to grip the wheel a little tighter Anna sat silently in the back seat staring out the window as if she were watching something none of us could see we'd been driving for what felt like hours when Leah pulled into a rest stop to stretch her legs the storm had turned everything White and The Silence was deafening no birds no wind just the muffled sound of our boots crunching in the snow Leah wandered off to check the map leaving me alone by the car with Anna that's when I saw it her backpack was open

just enough for me to see ins side nestled among the clothes another gear was a knife a big one the kind you'd use for something more than just slicing apples on a camping trip my stomach twisted and my breath caught in my throat Anna noticed me staring and zipped the bag shut in one smooth motion her dark eyes met mine and for a moment neither of us said anything then she tilted her head slightly and asked everything okay her voice was calm too calm I managed a nod but my mind was racing the knife could

have been for anything I told myself hiking self-defense but something about the way she carried herself the way she looked at me made my skin crawl by the time night fell the storm had turned into a full-on blizzard Leah suggested stopping at a motel but Anna insisted she needed to keep going I'll walk from here she said firmly Leah hesitated but I nodded eager to be rid of her we pulled over at a desolate stretch of road and Anna climbed out slinging her backpack over one shoulder she paused her dark eyes locking onto mine you

should be careful she said her voice barely above a whisper for what I asked the words slipping out before I could stop them she smiled but it wasn't a friendly smile for who you trust and then she was gone swallowed by the storm that night at the motel I couldn't sleep her words kept looping in my head twisting and turning until they felt like a warning I couldn't quite understand sometime after midnight I heard it footsteps crunching in the snow outside our room I froze my heart hammering in my chest slowly I crept to the

window and pulled the curtain aside just enough to peek out Anna was there standing in the parking lot staring at our car I stumbled back nearly tripping over my own feet Leah I whispered shaking her awake she's here an is here by the time Leah looked the lot was empty the next morning we found our car door slightly AJ jar sitting on the back seat was Anna's backpack completely empty except for a single folded piece of paper in neat handwriting it read you should have been more careful to this day I can't explain who she

was or what she wants wanted all I know is that she left us that warning and I've never looked at a hitchhiker the same way again some people are searching for help sure but others they're searching for something else entirely just me and bear my dog heading to a quiet Cabin in the Woods it was supposed to be simple I had the whole thing mapped out a quick 3-hour drive a cozy cabin waiting at the other end and a weekend of peace I packed everything I thought I'd need extra blankets snacks a thermos of coffee

a playlist of road trip Classics honestly I was kind of proud of how prepared I was but life has this way of laughing at you when you think you've got it all figured out the snow started falling a little earlier than expected big fluffy flakes that looked pretty at first by the time we got on the highway though it was relentless coming down in thick sheets that made it hard to see more than a few feet ahead the wipers were going full speed but it was like they were losing the battle I kept one hand

on the wheel and the other resting on Bear's head he was curled up in the passenger seat snoring softly he had no idea how tense I was gripping the steering wheel so tightly my Knuckles hurt the road was eerily quiet just the occasional car passing by their headlights barely cutting through the swirling white every now and then I'd catch a glimpse of a mile marker or a snow covered road sign and it was like a tiny reassurance that I was still on the right track the cabin was only an hour away but the storm made

it feel like we'd been driving forever that's when I saw him at first I wasn't even sure he was real he was standing on the shoulder of the road barely visible in the blizzard like some ghostly figure emerging from the snow he was bundled up in a black coat with a red scarf wrapped around his neck the scarf was the only bit of color in that endless gray white landscape he had his arm out thumb up the universal signal for help me I am stranded but what struck me what made me hesitate was the way

he was looking at me he wasn't scanning the road like most hitchhikers would hopeful for any car to stop no his eyes were locked on me like he'd been waiting for me specifically I don't know why I slowed down everything in me screamed to keep going it wasn't like anyone would have blamed me for not stopping in a storm like this but there was this little voice in my head Whispering what if it were you out there I couldn't shake the Gil even bear stirred and let out this low uneasy growl which should have been

my second warning but instead of listening I rolled down the window the cold air hit me like a slap sharp and unforgiving hey you need a ride I called out the man smiled and I swear it was the kind of smile that makes your stomach twist too wide too perfect like he'd practiced it in a mirror his teeth were blindingly White against his wind chapped skin thank you he said his voice smooth and calm like he hadn't just been standing in the middle of a snowstorm you are a lifesaver something about the way he said

it made me shiver but I pushed the feeling aside he climbed into the back seat brushing snow off his boots as he did up close he looked younger than I'd thought maybe late 20s but there was something off about him his features were sharp almost unnaturally so and his skin was pale almost translucent that red scarf around his neck was frayed and damp like it had been through a hundred Winters and the smell it was faint but metallic like old pennies so where are you headed I asked trying to sound casual as I merged back

onto the road just up ahead he said waving a gloved hand vaguely North I'll tell you where to stop his voice was calm almost too calm and it set me on edge I glanced at him in the rearview mirror but he was just staring out the window his face unreadable bear meanwhile couldn't settle down he kept shifting in his seat letting out these low rumbling growls every few minutes sorry about him I muttered more to fill the silence than anything he's not used to strangers the man smiled again but it didn't reach his eyes smart

dog he said the miles crawled by the storm growing worse with every passing minute the snow was so thick now it felt like we were driving through a tunnel I was starting to wonder if we'd make it to the cabin at all when the man leaned forward his reflection suddenly filling the rear view mirror you don't have to go all the way to the cabin he said my heart skipped a beat what do you mean I asked trying to keep my voice steady he Shrugged his expression blank just saying you might want to stop before

then my grip on the wheel tightened how do you know I am going to a cabin he leaned back his face disappearing from the mirror lucky guess every Instinct in me was screaming that something wasn't right but I kept driving what else could I do the silence stretched on broken only by the sound of the wipers and bears uneasy whining then out of nowhere the man spoke again you are going to want to pull over soon he said I glanced back at him why the road ahead it's bad he said his tone calm and matter

of fact like he knew something I didn't I didn't know what to say but then I saw it a gas station glowing faintly through the storm it hadn't been there the last time I checked the map but it looked real enough the man pointed toward it pull in here I hesitated my stomach twisting in knots but the road was practically undrivable at this point I turned into the lot and parked near the pump the lights above flickered weakly casting Eerie Shadows on the snow thanks for the ride he said opening the door he stepped out

into the storm without another word disappearing into the white I waited expecting him to head inside or wave goodbye but he was just gone that's when bear started barking his hackles raised I turned to see what had set him off and my blood ran cold Footprints dozens of them circling the car in chaotic overlapping Loops they hadn't been there when I pulled in my hands were shaking as I grabbed my phone ready to call for help but when I unlocked it there was a message waiting for me from an unknown number it read you shouldn't

have stopped the gas station lights flickered one last time then went out completely plunging the lot Into Darkness Bears barking turned frantic his teeth bared at something I couldn't see my heart was pounding as I fumbled with the keys desperate to start the car the engine sputtered to life and I floored it skidding out of the lot and back onto the highway I did didn't stop driving not for the cabin not for anything the storm eased up eventually but the road ahead wasn't any less terrifying in the faint glow of the headlights I saw more

footprints in the snow some huge others impossibly small trailing alongside the car I drove straight to the nearest town and found a cheap motel locking every door and window bear stayed glued to my side growling at every shadow the next morning I told the local cops everything The Hitchhiker the gas station the footprints they gave me this look like they didn't believe a word of it I here is no gas station on that stretch of highway one of them said hasn't been for years I didn't argue I just packed up and left putting as much

distance as I could between me and that highway but even now on Snowy nights I think about his last words you'll see and sometimes I wonder if I really left him behind or if he's still waiting I've always loved that being surrounded by the quiet of winter where Everything feels still and untouched but last winter I learned that not all winter roads are magical and some trips leave you with memories you wish you could forget it started on a whim I had a few unexpected days off work and in instead of wasting them at home

I decided to take a little Adventure there was this Mountain Village I'd been meaning to visit a small tucked away spot known for its cozy cabins little family run cafes and stunning views of the slopes it seemed like the perfect Escape no crowds no distractions just me the snow and a playlist of my favorite road trip songs I threw everything I thought I'd need into the car blankets snacks a thermos of hot coffee and an emergency kit that included a flashlight and a pocketknife I even double checked my tire chains just in case I was

proud of myself for being so prepared it gave me a little confidence boost as I set off on what I thought would be a peaceful solo Adventure the first part of the drive was idilic I remember thinking how lucky I was to have the road almost entirely to myself the sky was that pale winter blue and the sun made the snow Sparkle like it was sprinkled with glitter it was one of those rare days when winter didn't feel harsh but soft and inviting I hummed along to my playlist sipped coffee from my thermos and let

my mind wander but weather in the mountains can change in a snap around midafternoon as I got deeper into the Wilderness I noticed the sky shifting it started subtly a few wisps of gray clouds rolling in I thought no big deal just a little overcast but within an hour the entire Sky Had transformed into a thick slate gray blanket snowflakes began drifting down lazily Almost Pretty at first until they turned into a Relentless flurry I told myself I could handle it I'd driven in snowstorms before no big deal right but then the road started to

vanish beneath a growing layer of snow the windshield wipers were working over time but the snow was so dense it felt like driving through a swirling white tunnel I switched to high beams but that only made it worse turning the falling snow into a dizzying blur my Knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel still I pushed forward I was sure the turnoff to the Village was just up ahead my GPS though wasn't so sure the signal cut out leaving me staring at a frozen screen with no clue where I was or how far I

had left to go that's when it hit me I was completely alone out here not another car in sight just me miles of wilderness and the growing realization that I had no idea where I was just when I was starting to feel the first real pangs of panic a pair of headlights appeared in my rearview mirror I actually let out a relieved sigh finally another human being I even waved at the mirror though they probably couldn't see me me for a moment just knowing someone else was out there made me feel a little less Stranded

the truck stayed a decent distance behind me and I figured it was just another traveler braving the storm maybe they were heading to the same Village or at least the same direction but as I drove their headlights crept closer I slowed down a bit thinking they wanted to pass me maybe they were in more of a hurry than I was I even moved slightly onto the shoulder to give them room but they didn't pass instead they slowed down too matching my speed I brushed it off at first maybe they were just being cautious in the

storm that's what I told myself but when I sped up a little they did too and when I slowed down again so did they that's when the uneasy feeling started a prickly sensation crawling up the back of my neck I tried to Shake it Off don't be paranoid I told myself but as the minutes passed the truck stayed glued to me just far enough back that I couldn't make out their license plate my heart started beating faster my breaths coming quicker I kept glancing at the rear view mirror hoping they'd just turn off at some

point but they didn't the snowstorm wasn't helping the road was becoming harder to navigate with deep slippery patches of ice hidden beneath the snow my gas gauge was inching dangerously close to empty but I didn't dare stop not with that truck tailing me finally I spotted a Side Road up ahead it wasn't marked but I didn't care I took the turn sharply my tires skidding on the ice for a second I thought I'd lost them I drove down the narrow road as fast as I dared my headlights barely Illuminating the way but then there they

were again those same headlights cutting through the storm bright and unrelenting by now my chest was tight with fear my thoughts were a jumble of why are they following me and what do they want I didn't have answers just the overwhelming need to get away from them that's when I saw it a rest stop it was small just a single building with a few parked cars scattered in the lot not exactly bustling with activity but at least it was a place to stop I pulled in quickly parking near the entrance and watched as the truck

rolled to a stop on the shoulder of the road they didn't pull into the lot they just sat there headlights still glaring ing at me my stomach Twisted into knots I stayed in the car trying to decide what to do was it safer to run inside the building or stay locked in the car before I could make up my mind I saw the truck door swing open a man stepped out tall and bulky in dark winter gear he didn't rush he walked slowly almost lazily toward me my hands were trembling as I fumbled with the

door lock double-checking it was Secure then I I saw the passenger door of the truck open another man climbed out my heart was pounding so hard I could barely think I grabbed my phone hoping for a signal but the screen showed nothing no bars no help the men were getting closer their faces hidden behind scarves and snow I couldn't sit there any longer I threw open the car door and bolted toward the building my boots slipped on the ice but I didn't care I just ran inside the rest stop was eerily quiet a single vending

machine buzzed in the corner and the fluorescent lights flickered weakly there was no one else there no attendant no other Travelers just me the door creaked open behind me the two men stepped inside their eyes locking on me immediately one of them smiled but it wasn't friendly hey he said his voice calm almost soothing we just want to talk I backed away gripping the small pocket knife I'd grabbed from my bag stay back I warned my voice shaky the other man chuckled relax he said taking a step closer you are overreacting Panic surged through me

the only door was behind them and the windows were too high to climb through I was trapped then through the storm I saw it a new set of headlights pulling into the lot a snow plow rumbled to a stop outside its Bright Lights flooding the room the two men froze exchanging a look before muttering something under their breath and slipping back out into the storm the snowplow driver stepped out a Burly man in an orange vest you okay he called over the wind I nodded my whole body trembling with relief he stayed with me until

help arrived and I never saw those men or their truck again now I still love winter road trips but I take a few more precautions my phone stays fully charged my gas tank stays full and I always let someone know where I am headed some lessons you only need to learn once