3314. When undertaking a road trip, please make sure to have the capability to summon help in an emergency.
3314a. "Don't count on a ghost trucker to give you a lift." Takao.
3314b. "Wat?"
3314c. "Yeah, he was very nice. Kinda cute too." Choukai.
3314d. "Ghost trucker? Cute!? What the hell happened to you four?"
3314e. "Just try not to think about it, sir." Maya.

"I knew we should've taken that left turn at Albuquerque."

"Atago, I'll be honest, your Buggs Bunny imitation leaves a lot to be desired." remarked Takao.

"Especially considering we're in Washington and not New Mexico." added Maya.

"You two are no fun at all. Though seriously, I think we made a wrong turn somewhere."

"I've been following the GPS. Though you would think it would be able to find a more direct route than this to Seattle."

"We probably would have been there already if it wasn't for Miss Shortcut." grumbled Maya.

"Hey! I looked up the route before we left, and it said we've shave almost an hour off the trip." said Atago.

"Will you two chill?" sighed Chokai. "Look. How about we do this. Nee-san, you saw that sign for a town up ahead?"

"Yes."

"Why don't we get lunch there, and before we leave, we ask for directions?"

"Sounds good to me. What about you two?" said Takao.

"Fine by me." said Atago.

"How far until we get there?" asked Maya.

"Looks like a couple miles after this turn up ahead. We should be there in no time."

Right as Takao said that, a loud bang sounded in the rental car's engine. As soon as she pulled over, the engine rattled and then stopped, right at the crossroads.

"Murphy really enjoys his job, doesn't he?" muttered Atago.

Fifteen minutes later

'Well, do you want the good news, or bad news?" asked Maya.

"Good news first, please." said Takao.

"I know what's wrong with the car."

"The bad news?"

"The alternator's completely shot. No way we can fix it. How's that tow truck coming?"

"No service." said Chokai.

"Great. Anybody got an idea?"

"Well. It's only two miles to this town. I'll walk to town and call a tow truck. Shouldn't be too long." replied Takao.

As if he had a quota to fill, Murphy struck again, as the heavens opened up with a flash of lightning.

'Okay, let's wait for the rain to stop. It shouldn't last long." said Atago.

Two hours later

"It shouldn't last long, huh?" grumbled Maya.

"Hey!"

"Ever get the felling we're dealing with five-year olds, nee-san?" whispered Chokai.

"Oh, yes, all the time. Look, it's only one o'clock. If it's still like this by two, I'll walk to town and call a tow."

"Walk, in this?"

"We were designed to handle the ocean. I think I can handle a little rain."

Before she could say anymore, a pair of headlights came over the hill, and over the sound of the downpour the four of them could hear the semi's air brakes come on as it pulled over. They watched as tall figure stepped out of the cab, flashlight in hand, and walked up to their window.

"Car trouble?" the driver asked.

"Yes. You wouldn't happen to be able to call a tow truck, would you?" asked Takao.

"Sorry miss, but I don't have a cell phone. I could give you all a lift into town though."

"Are you sure, we'd hate to be a bother.." said Atago.

"No problem miss. I'm going there anyway." the man replied.

"Okay then." said Maya. "Let's go!"

The five of them raced to the semi, where the driver opened the passenger door. Chokai, Maya and Atago got in the sleeping compartment while Takao got into the front seat.

"We don't know how to thank you, Mr..."

"Joe. Joe Crawford, ma'am."

"Well, thank you, Joe.' said Atago.

They rode in the cab for about ten minutes, talking, until the lights of a diner came into view.

"Well ladies. This is your stop. Linda will have a phone you can use."

"Thank you, Mr. Crawford"

"It's just Joe, miss Chokai. By the way, when you order something, tell Linda to put it on my tab."

"Oh, no, we couldn't. You've been so kind already." Takao protested.

"I insist. Now, you all best get into the diner before this rain gets any worse."

Joe waited for them to get in the diner before driving away, waving. Atago, Maya, and Chokai settled into a booth while Takao went to the counter.

"Excuse me, but could I use your phone? we had car trouble and we need to call a tow truck."

"No problem darlin'. Phone's right over there, and the garage's number is the third on the list next to it."

"Thank you."

After calling, Takao joined her sisters, and the waitress at the counter came by to take their orders. "So, where did you break down?"

"At that crossroads a few miles back."

"You didn't walk here in the rain, did you?"

"No, a kind truck driver gave us a lift."

"Who? Maybe I know him."

"Joe Crawford."

The waitress froze, than glanced at them. "Order whatever you want girls. It's on the house."

"Why? Is Joe from around here? We'd like to thank him again."

"Tell me girls. You see that line of photographs on the wall over there?" After they nodded, she continued. "See that one in the middle?"

They looked, and were all stunned as they recognized the man in the old photo was their rescuer. "But, how?" stammered Atago.

"Joe died at that crossroads back in 1984. But ever so often, someone, like you four, will get stuck there, and he'll show up and give them a ride." the waitress replied.

"Wow." said Chokai.

As the rain continued, and as they ate their food, the each took glances out the window, towards the road, pondering.

AN: Please critique. Took me all weekend to find this rule