The Hitchhiker
by Lumy
The Hitchhiker
[reviews]
Disclaimer: We all know Joss owns 'em.
Author's notes: Alternate Universe Wiffy fic.
THE HITCHHIKER — CHAPTER ONE
The guttural growl of a V8 tore through the relative silence of the open desert road. Darkness consumed everything that was beyond the reach of the xenon headlamps of the oversized Dodge pickup. Night air howled through the cracked open window, rapidly relieving the interior of its overzealous heating setting. Amongst the faint iridescent glow of the dashboard, the fuel gauge silently screamed as it slipped further and further into the red. Willow had no choice; she had to pull into the next gas station which, luckily, was only a mile ahead.
Willow stepped out of the truck and rubbed her eyes wearily. She'd been on the road since early that morning and exhaustion was starting to get the better of her. The pump cut out automatically indicating the tank was full. Willow, as if on auto pilot, went into the little shop to pay. At the door, a dark haired girl pushed her way out of the store, almost knocking Willow down.
"After you," Willow threw sarcastically in the girl's direction, somewhat annoyed by her bad manners.
The red head took her time in purchasing various snacks and drinks to keep her energy levels up until she reached the next Motel 6.
As she dumped her goods on the counter, the clerk started to calculate the sale.
"Where you headed?" he asked, making polite conversation.
She regarded the old man for a moment before replying. "I'm not really sure," she sighed. "I guess I'll know when I get there."
"A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it," the old guy smiled as he handed Willow a bag with her goods.
"You read Steinbeck?" she enquired, with a glint of surprise in her eyes.
"Ain't a lot else to do on the graveyard shift in this place," he sighed. "'Cept get shot at."
Willow forced a nervous smile at the remark and made a hasty exist, clutching the paper bag to her chest as she went.
As the gas station disappeared from her rear-view mirror, Willow could see a figure walking on the side of the road up ahead. As she drew nearer, Willow was sure it was the girl from the gas station - hitchhiking no less.
"Yeah, good luck with that," Willow snorted, depressing the accelerator a little further.
'Cept get shot at
The thought ricocheted through her making her skin crawl.
"Well I don't want the guilt trip of seeing her picture on the back of a milk carton" she muttered before pulling over and rolling down the electric window.
The girl jogged up to the open window, somewhat surprised to see Willow. "You were at the gas station just now..." she trailed off. "Look, I didn't mean... it's just..." she struggled to explain. "I just kinda freaked when the old guy told me about how often he gets shot at."
"Huh," Willow mused. "He said the same unnerving thing to me. Guess scaring the tourists is what passes for fun around here. Where are you headed?"
"That way," she nods to the road ahead. "For now."
"Me too," Willow smiled. "Hop in."
Once settled at a nice cruising speed, Willow decided it was time for pleasantries.
"My name's Willow by the way," glancing sideways towards her passenger.
"Buffy."
"So what brings you to the middle of nowhere and leaves you on the side of the road?" Willow jested.
The faint smile faded from Buffy's face as she suddenly found the darkness outside very interesting.
Willow grimaced as her seemingly innocent question choked the air around them.
"I don't know where I'm headed," Willow confessed. "I'm just kinda driving, you know?"
Buffy made eye contact again. "Yeah, I know."
"I've been driving since eight this morning," Willow continued. "I think there's a Motel 6 somewhere not too far ahead. I was going to stop there for the night. If you're happy to crash, we can keep driving in the morning."
"Yeah," Buffy nodded. "I mean... if you don't mind me tagging along."
"Tag away," Willow beamed.
The motel was another twenty miles down the road. The room they rented seemed small with two singles in it. Still, it was clean and had its own bathroom. Apart from the buzz of the faulty neon sign, it was pretty quiet. The pair slumped into their beds, not bothering to change, and were both out like a light.
Day break turned into mid morning before Willow stirred, yawning and stretching. She looked over to Buffy's bed to find it empty. Instinct made her scrabble to the end of the bed to check her things were still there. Willow sighed with relief to find everything in its place just as she left it. Swinging her feet onto the floor, Willow stood before wandering over to Buffy's side of the room.
"Her things are still here," she whispered to no one.
Willow turned to the door and yanked it open. "Buffy?"
The harsh desert sunlight flooded the room practically blinding the red head. Squinting, the world slowly faded back into focus until she could see a figure sitting on the hood of her car casually drinking a soda.
"Morning," Buffy greeted.
"Morning," Willow replied, stepping out into the sun. "I thought you bailed."
"Couldn't sleep anymore," she shrugged. "Didn't want to wake you."
Buffy jumped down onto the ground. "Thirsty?" she asked, pumping the nearby vending machine with quarters and buying another soda.
"Thanks," smiled Willow accepting the ice cold bottle. "I like your bracelet," Willow complimented, noticing the silver bracelet around Buffy's wrist.
Buffy pulled her hand away, holding it defensively close to herself. "It's stupid."
Willow pulled out Buffy's arm and inspected the bracelet closer. "Chakra, right?"
Buffy seemed to relax a little, but remained silent while Willow tried to remember what all the colours mean.
"We should get cleaned up and go see if that diner across the street sells edible food," Willow stated, still holding onto Buffy before dragging her back into the motel room.
Showered with a fresh change of clothes, the two girls packed the truck, handed in their room key and headed over to the diner for breakfast.
Taking a booth in the corner, they both studied the menu intensely.
"I don't know why I'm reading this," Buffy said, tossing the menu aside. "I'm so hungry I could eat two of everything," she said with a grin.
"I'm thinking pancakes," Willow frowned, not really sure she wanted pancakes but figured it for a safe option.
Eventually, a withered old waitress came over to take their order and it wasn't long before they were surrounded with food and fresh coffee.
For the first time since they met, Willow saw Buffy truly smile. "You're a fan of breakfast, huh?" she asked as Buffy was mid mouthful.
Buffy nodded enthusiastically before swallowing. "All the best times of day involve food."
Willow softly laughed, enjoying seeing this childlike side of her new friend. "I'm more of a dinner person myself."
"Boom," Buffy stabbed her fork full of food towards Willow. "Hold that thought. We'll find somewhere awesome to stop for dinner."
This just made Willow smile wider. "How can you think about dinner while you're eating?"
"I'm blessed with multiple stomachs?" Buffy offered.
"I only noticed the one," Willow replied before realising what she said and turning colours.
"Is that so?" Buffy interrogated while sucking on her fork.
"I mean, not that I, not that there's anything wrong, what I meant to say was," Willow was getting flustered and Buffy seemed to be enjoying every minute of it. "I didn't see a thing," she finished taking a big gulp of coffee and trying to hide in the cup. "Cheque please," she squeaked.
TO BE CONTINUED...