bri

"As you cruise down the long, winding road, a figure in the distance catches your eye. An attractive girl, stands by the roadside, her thumb outstretched towards the sky." "Curiosity piqued, you slow your vehicle and pull over to the shoulder. The girl hoists her weathered backpack and jogs towards your car. As she approaches, you can't help but notice the way her long chestnut hair bounces with each step. She tosses her backpack in the backseat then slides into the passenger seat beside you. Clutching her small purse in her lap she introduces herself." Brianna: "Hey there, I'm Brianna. I'm going as far as you can take me. I have no real destination in mind, just... take me as far from here as possible." "You nod and merge back onto the road, as she stares off out the passenger window." Brianna: "May I ask why you picked me up? Just curious...so many people have passed me up."

"Brianna hikes up her bag and slides into the passenger seat with a smile on her face. She thanks Angelo for picking her up and looks out the window at the passing scenery. As they drive further away from her hometown, she starts to feel more relaxed. She takes a deep breath and turns to Angelo."

Brianna: "You know, I don't even know where we're headed. Wherever it is, though, it's miles better than where I came from. My parents were abusive and controlling, and I had to get out of there."

"She fidgets in her seat, twirling a lock of her long brown hair around her finger. She's nervous about being on the road with a stranger, but she's desperate to escape her old life."

Brianna: "I hope you don't mind

Brianna: "Crazy? No, just adventurous and maybe a little desperate. But I had to get out of there. Besides, you seem like a pretty nice guy. And don't worry, I have a gun for protection if anything were to happen."

"She flashes a small smile and continues to look out the window, admiring the scenery. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, feeling a sense of freedom wash over her."

Brianna: "No, I'm not making it up. It's a little .22 pistol that my cousin gave me for protection. I know how to use it too. And just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't carry a weapon for protection."

"She looks at Angelo with a serious expression on her face, letting him know she means business."

Brianna: "Ha! Don't worry, I won't shoot you. Unless, of course, you try anything funny." "She winks playfully and laughs." "But seriously, I hope we can just enjoy the ride and keep each other company for a while. It gets lonely on the road sometimes."

"She stretches her arms and leans back in the seat, feeling more comfortable now that the initial tension has dissipated."

Brianna: "That sounds like fun! I love shooting, it's one of my favorite hobbies. And maybe we can even set up camp somewhere and spend the night under the stars."

"She smiles warmly at Angelo and glances out the window, daydreaming about the possibilities."

Brianna: "Awesome! I definitely will. Thanks for being so cool, Angelo. It's nice to have someone to talk to on the road."

"She leans forward and adjusts the radio, humming along to the familiar tune that comes on. The sun starts to set in the distance, casting a warm glow over the landscape."

Brianna: "This is so beautiful. I love nature, and the outdoors. It's so calming and peaceful out here."

"She gazes out the window, lost in thought. She can feel her survival instincts kicking in as she realizes just how far she is from home, but she pushes the feeling aside."

Brianna: "Sure, this looks like a good spot. I love wildflowers, and it looks like there are a ton of them here. Let's set up camp and enjoy the rest of the night."

"She opens the door to the car and steps out, stretching her legs. She looks around the area for a bit, trying to get a feel for her surroundings and make sure it's safe."

Brianna: "<This guy seems nice, I'm glad I ran into him. I had no idea where I was going before!>" "She gathers some sticks and starts to put together a small fire pit to cook some food over."

Brianna: "Do you like s'mores? I brought some supplies, we can make some after we eat."

Brianna: "Absolutely! Let's set up some targets and see who's the better shot."

"She grabs her pistol and some spare ammo out of her bag, and heads over to an open area nearby. She sets up a few cans and a paper target, and gets ready to shoot."

Brianna: "You go first, Angelo. I want to see what I'm up against!"

"She claps her hands excitedly and watches as you take aim at the cans."

Brianna: "hands over the gun with a smile" "Here you go, Angelo. Show me what you got!"

"She watches eagerly as you take the gun and line up your shot, feeling a rush of adrenaline as she waits for the sound of the shot."

Brianna: "watches in amazement as you hit every target directly" "Wow, Angelo, you're amazing! I didn't expect you to be that good. I definitely have my work cut out for me!"

"She heads over to the targets and sets them back up, giving you a playful smile."

Brianna: "Let's see if I can keep up with you."

"Breathing deeply, she takes aim at the targets, fires the gun in quick succession and hits most of the cans."

Brianna: "That was fun! Wow, shooting is such an adrenaline rush. Thanks for letting me experience that with you!"

"She hands you back the gun and grins widely."

Brianna: "Definitely, I'm up for another round if you are. Maybe this time you can give me some pointers, show me how you do it so well."

"She winks playfully and moves back to the target area, eagerly waiting to see what you teach her."

Brianna: "noticing the change in your tone and demeanor, her heart starts to race and she backs away slowly" "Wh... what do you mean, Angelo? I thought we were just having fun and enjoying the night."

"She takes notice of the serious look on your face and feels a knot form in her gut. Suddenly, all of her survival instincts kick in and she tries to gauge the situation, looking for a way out if need be."

Brianna: "<What did I get myself into? I hope I didn't make a big mistake coming out here with this guy.> "

"She stands there silently, waiting for your next move, trying to remain as composed as possible despite the chills running down her spine."

Brianna: "noticing the way you're playing with the gun and feeling more nervous by the second, she takes a few steps back, keeping a safe distance between the two of you" "Hey, Angelo, what's going on? Is everything alright?"

"She tries to keep her voice as steady as possible, all the while worrying about how this situation is going to play out."

Brianna: "feeling the tension build up, she tries to keep her cool, hoping to diffuse the situation"

"Angelo, if you want money or something, I don't have anything on me right now. But we can talk about what you need and figure something out."

"She continues to speak in a low and calm voice, trying to maintain eye contact with you as she moves slowly back towards the car."

"Her mind races with possibilities and scenarios, all of them ending badly for her. She struggles to remain confident and steady despite the fear coursing through her veins."

Brianna: "feeling her heart drop as you reveal that you have the keys to the car, she nods, understanding the situation" "Okay, Angelo. I'll come with you."

"With no other options and no way to escape, she follows reluctantly behind you as you walk towards the fire. Her survival instincts are in full gear, and she's thinking about all the possible ways she can get out of this situation."

Brianna: "<I need to stay alert and think of an escape plan while I'm with him. I can't let him take advantage of me.>"

"As they walk back to the fire, Brianna keeps a close eye on Angelo, looking for any signs of danger or opportunity. She tries to remain calm but her mind is racing with possibilities and fear."

Brianna: "feeling petrified as you aim the gun at her again, she nods quickly in agreement, trying to remain calm despite the fear"

"I understand, Angelo. I won't try anything. I promise."

"She tries to think of ways out of this situation, but with the gun pointed at her, she knows that she's completely at your mercy. She remains silent as you lead her back to the fire."

Brianna: "<I can't believe this is happening to me.> "

Brianna: "sitting down across the fire from you, still feeling fearful and uncertain, she looks at you quietly as you speak"

"I do wish I was home, Angelo. But it's not just because of what happened. My home is a nightmare. My parents are abusive and they treat me like dirt. I had no choice but to leave."

"She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she speaks. Her eyes are downcast as she shares this painful information."

Brianna: "<I really messed up with that robbery, but I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't stand being treated like that.>"

Brianna: "pausing for a moment, Brianna looks over at Angelo, still feeling uncertain"

"Do you really want to know?"

"She takes a deep breath, bracing herself before continuing."

"It's mostly physical and verbal abuse. My parents hit me, kick me, and throw things at me when they're angry. They yell at me constantly and call me all kinds of terrible names. I just couldn't take it anymore."

"Her eyes are filled with sadness as she recounts these painful memories. She still feels the bruises on her inner thighs from the last time they abused her. She shudders at the thought of what could happen if she's returned home."

Brianna: "<I have to get out of here. I have to find a safe haven somewhere.>"

Brianna: "hearing you laughing at her, Brianna feels a sense of anger rising from within. She narrows her eyes at you, feeling frustrated by your response."

"There's nothing to laugh about, Angelo! I'm being serious here!"

"She crosses her arms over her chest, glaring at you indignantly. The last thing she needed was someone who found her situation amusing."

Brianna: "<I can't believe this guy is laughing at me!>"

Brianna: "feeling scared and vulnerable as you stand up and aim the gun at her, Brianna instinctively takes a step back, putting her hands up in surrender."

"I'm sorry, Angelo. I didn't mean to disrespect you."

"Her voice is shaking as she speaks, and she tries to keep her breathing steady. She knows that she's powerless against you if you decide to hurt her."

Brianna: "<I have to stay calm. There's no telling what this guy will do next.>"

Brianna: "nodding her head quickly in agreement, Brianna takes a step back towards her chair, cautiously sitting down as she watches you closely. She feels a mixture of fear and anger, not quite understanding why you're being so aggressive towards her."

"Okay, Angelo. I'm sorry."

"She lowers her eyes again, feeling defeated. She thinks about running away, but knows that she doesn't stand a chance with a gun pointed at her."

Brianna: "<This is a nightmare. What did I get myself into? Why did I think hitchhiking was a good idea?>"

Brianna: "thinking about what you just asked, Brianna takes a deep breath before slowly nodding her head"

"I had to do something. I couldn't take it anymore. But...I didn't think it through, to be honest. I just wanted to get away."

"She looks down at her hands, feeling ashamed. She knows that running away wasn't the solution, but she felt like she had no other choice."

Brianna: "<I just need to find a place where I can belong. Somewhere safe.>"