It was getting late. Past midnight at least, and Arnie had been driving for nearly ten hours straight. He was starting to consider finding a stopping place for the night. His brother Ben had waited this long to see him, what was one more night?
As he debated using Google to find the nearest motel in this backwoods area he spotted someone on the side of the road. It was a female, alone, looking almost incandescent in the glare of the headlights. She wore naught but a little black dress and boots to match. She held out her thumb in the traditional hitchhiker manner.
It was a cold and foggy night, and Arnie was in a good mood, and feeling quite the philanthropist, so he slowed to let her in. She immediately smiled upon entering the passenger door of the vehicle, her eyes lighting up like tiny lanterns in deep black pools of night.
"Why thank you, mister!" She said, (more cheerfully than Arnie's own wife usually greeted him.)
"No problem." He retorted, offering his hand for a quick shake.
She shook it, then smiled again, saying "I've been walking so long it feels like an eternity."
(Arnie thought she sounded a bit too knowing.)
But it was dark and spooky outside and his mind was prone to play tricks on him so Arnie let the feeling go easily.
"The name's Arnie." Arnie said happily, glad to have some company.
"Mine's Arianna." She replied.
"Well, Arianna," Arnie said, "Where to? There isn't much around here but woods."
"I live about 30 miles east of Riverton, if you don't mind driving me." Arianna replied, brushing her wavy hair out of her eyes.
Arnie noticed a tattoo on her wrist as she did this, some kind of rune or symbol.
"People these days." Arnie thought to himself.
He then said aloud, "I didn't know there was anything east of Riverton. As far as I know there's no there are no roads in that direction that go that far east.
"I'll show you." She replied, in a strange tone of voice.