Her body trembling, teeth chattering, she stepped out into the early evening air. Her only thought was to put as much distance as possible between her and the cafe before the grisly body was discovered.

Not wanting to be recognized on the road, she crossed it and began running through the fields toward the distant freeway. Running and sobbing hysterically, she could vividly see that grotesque face spurting blood all over the floor. Shaking beyond control, she began to vomit. The poor child retched and gagged on the bitter bile that her shuddering body was forcing up. When the nervous convulsions stopped, she continued on her way. She walked and walked, and the car lights on the distant highway never seemed to get any closer. After what seemed like a lifetime, she finally stumbled to the shoulder of the highway. The strong suction of air from the speeding cars frightened her. She was almost hysterical with fear when she saw the stop lights of a passing car come on as it pulled to a screeching halt a few yards down the highway.

Running along the road, she quickly opened the door and peered in. The only person in the car was the driver, a rather pleasant-looking man in his late thirties. When she had settled down in the seat, he put the car in gear and moved it out onto the highway.

"My name is Gary," he said after several minutes of silence.

"I'm Libby," she replied.

"Where are you heading, Libby?" he asked with a pleasant smile.

"West," was her reply.

"How far?"

"Just west."

They lapsed into a long silence. Libby, with eyes closed, leaned back against the head rest. The drone of the engine, hurling them through the night seemed to lull her nerves.

"Where you goin'?" she finally asked.

"San Francisco."

Another long period of silence as Libby dozed off in complete exhaustion.