In this short story, the plot revolves around the encounter of a driver with a phantom hitchhiker. The driver, thinking they are doing a good deed, offers a ride. As they travel, the hitchhiker may seem a bit off, perhaps with a strange appearance or an otherworldly air. Eventually, the hitchhiker disappears in a very strange way. This could be in the middle of a conversation or right when they reach a certain point. It makes the driver question their sanity and the reality of what just happened. It's a classic spooky story setup that plays on our fears of the unknown and the supernatural.
The two main characters are the kind - hearted (or sometimes not so kind - hearted) driver. This is the person who is going about their normal day, driving along. And then there is the phantom hitchhiker. This character is often described as mysterious, maybe with a pale complexion or wearing old - fashioned clothes. Their presence is what drives the spooky nature of the story.
Well, the 'phantom hitchhiker' story typically goes like this. A motorist is driving along, perhaps at night or on a desolate stretch of road. They see a figure by the side of the road, thumb out, looking for a ride. The driver stops and the hitchhiker gets in. They might have a brief conversation. But then, when the driver looks over again, the hitchhiker has vanished into thin air. Some versions say that when the driver reaches the destination the hitchhiker said they were going to, they find out that the person had died in that area long ago.
One key element is the lonely road setting. It's often a deserted highway or a spooky back road. Another is the appearance of the hitchhiker, who seems normal but has an air of mystery. And of course, the sudden disappearance of the hitchhiker is a major part.
The first phantom hitchhiker story in America often involves a mysterious figure that appears on the side of the road seemingly looking for a ride. These stories are part of American folklore. One common aspect is that the hitchhiker might disappear suddenly during the ride or after reaching a certain destination. It adds an air of mystery and the supernatural to the American road experience.
In the 'vanishing hitchhiker' short story, typically a driver picks up a hitchhiker. They might have a conversation during the ride. Then, at some point, usually when the driver reaches the hitchhiker's destination or stops for some reason, the hitchhiker mysteriously vanishes. It often leaves the driver bewildered and sometimes leads to further investigations or just becomes a spooky tale they can't forget.
In 'the hitchhiker short story', the main characters are without a doubt the driver and the hitchhiker. The driver is often an ordinary person going about their day, perhaps on a long journey. The hitchhiker is the wildcard. They could be from any background, with any motive. Their personalities, whether the driver is cautious or friendly and whether the hitchhiker is secretive or talkative, play a huge role in how the story unfolds.
In 'the hitchhiker short story', usually it involves a person who picks up a hitchhiker during a journey. There are often unexpected events or interactions that follow this encounter, like the hitchhiker having a strange backstory or leading the driver into some sort of adventure or mystery.